Halogen-bonded Liquid Crystals

This chapter discusses the relatively new discovery of liquid crystallinity induced by halogen bonding. Liquid crystals are first introduced and then, to give the work some context, background information is given concerning liquid crystal phases induced by other, non-covalent interactions. In particular, hydrogen bonding is examined, as the two interactions are rather similar as are the molecular components that might be used as the acceptor. Low molar mass and polymeric halogen-bonded mesogens are then described and future prospects are evaluated.