Discotic material hexakis(4‐carboxyphenylethynyl)benzene inhibits Escherichia coligrowth via the glycolysis pathway

Discotic materials and nanoparticles are potential carriers of synthetic chemicals to increase the bioavailability. Several planar discotic compounds were prepared with C–C bond formation by the Sonagoshira reaction. Their toxicity was based on their inhibition of Escherichia coligrowth as well as a simple proteomic analysis. The partial analogues of hexakis(4‐carboxyphenylethynyl)benzene structures did not inhibit E. coligrowth significantly. The possible metabolic pathway of hexakis(4‐carboxyphenylethynyl)benzene (1) may involve the downregulation of glycolytic proteins detected with a proteomic analysis. Hexakis(4‐carboxyphenylethynyl)benzene is found not only useful in liquid crystals but may also have utility in the development of novel antibiotics. Hexakis(4‐carboxyphenylethynyl)benzene and its analogs were prepared with C–C bond formation by the Sonagoshira reaction. The negative charges and partial structural frameworks of discotic compounds are not essential factors for their toxicity based on their inhibition of Escherichia coligrowth. The possible metabolic pathway of hexakis(4‐carboxyphenylethynyl)benzene (1) may involve the downregulation of glycolytic proteins.