Electrochemistry of organometallic lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals

Two aqueous lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals made from nickel(II) or copper(II) phthalocyananine tetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt are prepared with characterisation through optical polarising microscopy, X-ray diffraction and conductivity. These consist of ordered molecular aggregates of ~ 10 molecules, held together by π–π stacking. Electrochemistry within these dynamic, optically anisotropic columnar systems reveals that diffusion (physical transport or charge carrier hopping) can occur within two-dimensions.

► First report on anisotropic diffusion within redox-active lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals.
► First report on electrochemistry within ordered, self-assembling liquid metal–organic frameworks.
► Evidence for two-dimensional charge transfer within columnar stacks.