The Discotic Phase of Uro-Porphyrin I Octa-N-Dodecyl Estei

Abstract A number of materials which exhibit the relatively new discotic phase have recently been discovered. All of the materials known which show this type of phase have molecular structures that are flat and hexagonal in shape. In this current work, we have shown that a porphyrin compound, uro-porphyrin I octa-n-dodecyl ester, which has a flat, octagonally shaped molecular structure can also exhibit a discotic phase. This is the first report of the discotic liquid crystal phase being exhibited by porphyrin compounds.