Use of Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding between Imidazolyl Moieties and Carboxylic Acids for the Supramolecular Self-Association of Liquid-Crystalline Side-Chain Polymers and Networks

Liquid-crystalline side-chain polymeric complexes with well-defined structures have been obtained by supramolecular assembly of poly(acrylic acid) and mesogenic compounds containing imidazolyl-terminated alkyl chains. Hydrogen bonds formed between carboxylic acid and N-(alkyl)imidazole moieties can function as molecular connectors. The formation of H-bonded liquid-crystalline networks has been achieved by self-assembly of bis-imidazolyl-terminated mesogenic compounds and poly(acrylic acid). These networks exhibit smectic A phases due to the dynamic nature of the noncovalent interaction.