The pathway and kinetics of hierarchical assembly of ionic oligomers into a lyotropic columnar phase.

Ionic benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) molecules can self-assemble into hollow cylinders which further arrange into columnar phases in water. In situ investigations suggest a multi-step pathway of supramolecular assembly via formation of dispersed molecular aggregates followed by a less ordered intermediate phase before the equilibrium columnar phase is formed. The pathway and kinetics of the formation of lyotropic LC phases through hierarchical supramolecular assembly are similar to non-classical crystallization, in line with an emerging holistic view on crystallization and self-assembly.