Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Microfluidic Preparation of Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Actuators
Published on: May 20, 2018
Self-Assembly and Fluorescence of Tetracationic Liquid Crystalline Tetraphenylethene
Jakob Knelles1, Stuart Beardsworth1, Korinna Bader1
1Institut für Organische Chemie, Universität Stuttgart, Germany.
Abstract:
A series of tetraguanidinium tetraphenylethene (TPE) arylsulfonates with different chain lengths was prepared via ionic self-assembly of tetraguanidinium TPE chloride and the respective methyl arylsulfonates. Liquid crystalline properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Tetraguanidinium TPE arylsulfonates with chain lengths of C8 -C12 displayed hexagonal columnar mesophases over a broad temperature range, while derivatives with longer chains showed oblique columnar phases. In solution all compounds displayed aggregation-induced emission behaviour. Temperature-dependent luminescence spectra of the bulk phase of the tetraguanidinium TPE arylsulfonate with C14 side chains revealed a strong luminescence both in the solid state and the oblique columnar mesophase. The emission behaviour was rationalized by a unique combination of restriction of intramolecular rotation of the TPE core, Coulomb interaction between the guanidinium cations and π-π interactions of the anionic arylsulfonate moieties.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Polymer Classification: Crystallinity
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
Protein Complex Assembly
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Protein Complex Assembly
Spindle Assembly
In most cells, centrosomes are the primary microtubule nucleation centers. In the centrosome-mediated pathway, the G2-prophase transition triggers centrosome maturation and increased microtubule nucleation. Progressive nucleation results in a...
Oligosaccharide Assembly
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...
Molecular Comparison of Gases, Liquids, and Solids

