Dipole-driven self-assembly of redox-active mesogenic tetracyanoanthraquinodimethanes

Tetracyanoanthraquinodimethane (TCAQ) derivatives having three alkoxy chains at their extremities self-assemble to form both columnar liquid crystals and fibrous aggregates through intermolecular dipole–dipole interactions. The TCAQ derivatives are redox-active, and they exhibit responses in electrochromism in the reductive potential region.