Fullerene‐Filled LC Stars – A Supramolecular “Click” Mechanism for the Generation of Tailored Donor‐ Acceptor Self‐Assemblies

Two shape‐persistent star mesogens with oli¬go(phenyl‐eneethenylene) arms and a phthalocyanine core – one providing free space (2) and one sterically overcrowded with four fullerenes attached by spacers (3) – have been successfully synthesized. In contrast to a smaller discotic derivative 1, mesogen 2 forms a columnar liquid crystal (LC), which can only be partially aligned without π‐stacking, while 3 is not an LC. Exceptionally, the 1:1 mixture of 2 and 3 forms an alignable columnar LC with strong π‐stacking and quadruple helical organized fullerenes by an unprecedented click process similar to a ball detent mechanism. The C60 units interconnect also different columns. This is driven by nanosegregation and space‐filling of the voids with fullerenes. Photophysical studies confirm the presence of a light collecting system generating charge separated states in solution and solid state, which makes such highly organized materials attractive for the study in future photovoltaic devices.

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