Columnar mesophase from non-symmetrical tapered hydrazide derivatives

► We aimed at developing new liquid-crystalline hydrazide derivatives. ► The columnar mesophases are observed in these hydrazide derivatives. ► Experimental results revealed that the amide protons of the central hydrazide group participated in intermolecular double hydrogen bonds based on CO and NH in mesophase. ► The intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interaction among dihydrazine units is the main driving force to form the mesophase.