Polycyclic organic compound, optically anisotropic film and method of production thereof

A polycyclic organic compound of formula (I)

• where n is the number of phenyl rings in the range from 3 to 10;
• A and B are groups independently selected from the list consisting of sulfonic, carboxylic, and phosphonic;
• m is 0, or 1;
• l is 1;
• p is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6;
• C is a counterion selected from the list consisting of H+, NH+4, Na+, K+, Li+, Cs+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Sr2+, La3+, Zn2+, Zr4+, Ce3+, Y3+, Yb3+, Gd3+, and any combination thereof;
• k is the number of counterions necessary for compensation of the negative electric charge equal to (−p);
• and
• wherein the compound of formula (I) further comprises at least one heterocyclic group located between two adjacent phenyl rings;
• wherein said organic compound is transparent for electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectral range, and
• a solution of said organic compound is capable of forming a substantially transparent and optically anisotropic solid layer on a substrate.