MISCIBILITY STUDIES OF DISC-LIKE MOLECULES

The total miscibility method is applied to study the recently discovered mesophases of disc-like molecules, benzene-hexa-n-alkanoates. These compounds do not form continuous solid solutions, but are totally miscible in the liquid and mesomorphic states. The virtual mesophase-isotropic transition temperature for the hexanoate compound derived from the miscibility diagram is in excellent accord with that obtained from the previously reported pressure-temperature phase diagram. With simplifying assumptions, it is possible to predict with acceptable reliability the isobaric binary phase diagrams of any two members of the series. The real and virtual mesophase-liquid transition temperatures are linear functions of the molecular weight. On the other hand, a plot of the crystal-liquid transition temperatures versus the molecular weight exhibits a minimum. Total miscibility in the mesomorphic state is not observed for two members of different discogenic series, but the existence of different mesophase types is not proved. Lyotropic mesomorphism for a disc-like mesophase is established. © 1979 Indian Academy of Sciences.