Hierarchical self-assembly of p-terphenyl derivative with dumbbell-like amphiphilic and rod-coil characteristics

As water is gradually added, a p-terphenyl derivative with dumbbell-like amphiphilic and rod-coil characteristics can hierarchically self-assemble to metastable rectangle columns architecting sheets first and then to stable quasi-hexagonal columns architecting rolled sheets, and finally to rod-like nanostructures in MeOH/H2O solution. Interestingly, the formed sheet, rolled sheet, and nanorod possess blue-light emitting property.