Synthesis and Characterization of Tris-Methacrylated 3,4,5-Tris[(alkoxy)benzyloxy]benzoate Derivatives

The synthesis of liquid crystalline 3,4,5-tris(11-methacryloylundecyl-1-oxybenzyloxy)benzoic acid, 2-methyl-(1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxacyclopentadecane)-3,4,5-tris[4-(11-methacryloylundecyl-1-oxy)benzyloxy] benzoate and its 1:1 complex with sodium triflate is described. The observed mesophases were identified, by polarized optical microscopy and contact preparation techniques, to be of hexagonal columnar disordered structure. The amphiphiles form lyotropic columnar phases in concentrated methacrylate solvents, while at low solute contents supramolecular organogels emerge.