Unconventional liquid crystal oligomers with a hierarchical structure

Supermolecules composed of pre-organized mesogenic units have attracted much attention because they can form secondary and tertiary structures with unique physical properties. This Feature Article reviews recent progress in thermotropic supermolecular liquid-crystalline materials with a hierarchical structure. We take the concepts of molecular dynamics, electrostatic core–core interactions, hydrocarbon–fluorocarbon amphiphilicity and intramolecular chirality transfer, and apply them to the creation of new materials. The liquid crystal oligomers in which conventional mesogenic units are pre-organized in a classical shape can produce unusual phase structures and unique physical properties.