How simple can a thermotropic mesogenic molecule be? Supramolecular layers through a network of hydrogen bonds

The supramolecular approach was applied to obtain a thermotropic liquid crystalline phase from the smallest possible molecules. Diaminobenzene derivatives are able to form smectic layers through a network of interconnected hydrogen bonded rings. The observed smectic A phase exhibits unusually small optical birefringence, comparable with that of lyotropic lamellar phases.