A hybrid of hexakis(hexyloxy) triphenylene and synthetic saponite

• HAT6–saponite hybrid was successfully prepared via a simple solid–liquid reaction.
• The hybrid has a wider columnar liquid crystal phase than HAT6.
• CTA–saponite played an important role in altering the properties of HAT6.

A novel hybrid of a triphenylene–based liquid crystal molecule, hexakis(hexyloxy) triphenylene, and synthetic saponite, was prepared by the reaction between colloidally dispersed synthetic saponite in the presence of a cationic surfactant, hexadecyltrimethylammonium cation, and hexakis(hexyloxy) triphenylene to improve the thermal and/or optical properties of hexakis(hexyloxy) triphenylene by the host-guest interactions. Judging from the expansion of the interlayer space (0.60 nm) and the molecular sizes of hexakis(hexyloxy) triphenylene and hexadecyltrimethylammonium cation, they were expected to be incorporated in the interlayer space. The changes in the phase transition of hexakis(hexyloxy) triphenylene in saponite (from 69–99 °C to be 65–105 °C) and optical properties of the hybrid were due to the interactions of the liquid crystal and the hexadecyltrimethylammonium cation in the interlayer space.

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