Abstract
A pure columnar cholesterogen based on the octasubstituted phthalocyanine $(PcH_2)$, S-(+)-2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24-octakis[5-(dodecyloxy)-2-oxa-pentyl]-phthalocy anine(1a), is described. To evaluate a cholesteric character of 1a, the corresponding achiral $PcH_2$ 1b and the copper complex of chiral $PcH_2$ 1a (CuPc), S-(+)-2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis[4-(dodecyloxy)- 2-oxapentyl]-phthalocyanine(2a) were also prepared. The chiral 1a exhibited a typical cholesteric texture change in which the transition of platelet (blue phase) to fan-shape texture was observed (K－M－I), whereas the corresponding achiral 1b showed only a focal conic texture (K－ M－I). This is the first instance of a pure columnar cholesterogen observed with discotic liquid crystal systems.