New Discogenic Compounds: N,N′-Dialkanoyl-2,3,5,6-tetrakis(alkanoyloxy)-1,4-benzenediamines

A series of N,N′-dialkanoyl-2,3,5,6-tetrakis(alkanoyloxy)-1,4-benzenediamines has been prepared and found to be mesogenic over a wide temperature range. The transformation into an isotropic liquid at a temperature between 189 and 209 °C is followed by thermal decomposition. The X-ray diffraction pattern of unoriented specimens in the mesophase consists of two sharp inner peaks and a broad outer one assignable to 100, 110, and 001 reflections respectively, indicating that the phase is hexagonal columnar.