Objective It was first discovered in Sheffield that disc-like metalloporphyrins can show fluid, rod-like mesophases by suitable synthetic modification and that unfavourable intermolecular Pi-Pi interactions, which led to high melting points, could be suppressed. The mixture of rod- and disc-like features in these molecules makes them attractive in the search for biaxial nematic mesophases, where very fast switching times are predicted. A systematic evaluation of the way in which the structure of these porphyrins determines both the mesophases formed and the temperature at which they exist is proposed. It is intended to study the effect of the terminal groups in the 5- and 15- positions which lend the porphyrins their rod-like character, the peripheral groups which exert some control over both the disc-like nature of the core and over the melting point, and ortho groups which appear to hold the key to low-melting points. Programme(s) FP4-TMR - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of the training and mobility of researchers, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 0302 - Post-doctoral research training grants TC01 - Synthesis, New Molecules and Methods Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme RGI - Research grants (individual fellowships) Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF EXETER EU contribution No data Address STOCKER ROAD EX4 4QD EXETER United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Not available Spain EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data