Controlling the Columnar Orientation of C₃‐Symmetric “Superbenzenes” through Alternating Polar/Apolar Substitutents

Every second counts: Enhanced control over the self-organization of discotic compounds has been obtained by introducing alternating arrays of apolar (alkyl) and polar (ester) substitutents on to C3-symmetric hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronenes. The local dipole moments and the nanophase separation between the polar and apolar sites significantly influence the self-assembly in solution and in the solid state (see schematic representation).