Biphenylbenzoates: Synthesis and Thermodynamic Properties

Two homologous series of twelve compounds each of biphenylbenzoates have been synthesised and their mesomorphic properties characterised. Heats of transition for both series of compounds have also been measured using differential scanning calorimetry. In the biphenyl 4-p-n-alkoxybenzoate series the first few members are monotropic nematic and the higher ones exhibit enantiotropic nematic as well as smectic phases, whereas in the biphenyl 4-p-n-alkyl benzoate series only the monotropic nematic phase is observed. In both series of compounds the plot of the nematic-isotropic transition temperature against the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain exhibit smooth curve relationships.     

Synthesis and Some Properties of Low Melting Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals of Benzylidene Anilines

A series of chiral benzylidene-aniline compounds, 4-alkoxybenzylidene 4′-(2-methylbutyloxycarbonyl)anilines, have been synthesized and their mesomorphic properties are examined. They showed a monotropic chiral smectic C phase in conjunction with enantiotropic smectic A phase, and their chiral smectic C—smectic A phase transition temperatures are around room temperatures. Their spontaneous polarization values are moderately higher than those of DOBAMBC “4-decyloxybenzylidene 4′-amino-(2-methylbutyl)cinnamate”.     

Phase transition behavior and structure of the thermotropic liquid crystal 6‐{[(4′‐{[(undecyl)carbonyl]oxy}biphenyl‐4yl)carbonyl]oxy}‐1‐hexyne

The phase transition behaviors and corresponding structures of 6‐{[(4′‐{[(undecyl)carbonyl]oxy}biphenyl‐4yl)carbonyl]oxy}‐1‐hexyne (A4EE11) were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). In comparison with the published homologues, 5‐{[(4′‐heptoxy‐biphenyl‐4‐yl)carbonyl]oxy}‐1‐pentyne (A3EO7) which shows a monotropic smectic A (SmA) phase and a metastable monotropic smectic C (SmC) phase; 5‐{[(4′‐heptoxy‐biphenyl‐4‐yl)oxy]carbonyl}‐ 1‐pentyne (A3E'O7) that exhibits three enantiotropic stable liquid crystalline (LC) phases, SmA phase, SmC phase and smectic X (SmX) phase; 5‐{[(4′‐heptoxy‐biphenyl‐4‐yl)carbonyl]oxy}‐1‐undecyne (A9EO7) which has a monotropic SmA phase and a metastable crystal phase, A4EE11 integrates the enantiotropy, monotropy and metastability of the LC phases of those three compounds. Upon cooling from isotropic state to room temperature, in the temperature range of 62.0 to 58.5°C, A4EE11 shows an enantiotropic smectic A (SmA) phase with a layer spacing d=32.69Å. Further lowering the temperature, it enters into a metastable monotropic smectic B (SmB) phase with a longer layer spacing d=34.22Å which has a tendency towards crystallization. The metastability of the liquid crystalline phase may associate to the linkage order of the ester bridge between the mesogenic core and the flexible spacer. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effect of Nitro Terminal Substituent on the Liquid Crystalline Characteristics of Ester Mesogens: p-Nitrophenyl-p'-n-Alkoxycinnamates

The homologous series p-nitrophenyl-p'-n-alkoxycinnamates is a medium melting homologous series; the first two members are non-mesogens and do not exhibit even monotropy. The nematic phase begins from the third derivative in monotropic condition; from the fourth member enantiotropic mesomorphism commences. Polymesomorphism begins from the sixth member with the appearance of smectic mesophase and ends at the seventh member. The rest of the homologues up to the octadecyl are purely smectogens. Thus the homologous series is predominantly smectogenic even though -NO₂ group is reported to be enhancing nematic character.^' Within the polymesomorphic region the nematic mesophase is homeotropic; however, it shows a clear threaded texture where it is the only mesophase shown. The N-I transitions do not exhibit the usual alternation in transitions which is a rare phenomenon. The N-I transition curve is unusually neither rising nor falling though a slight curve is seen; it merges with the S-I curve which shows a slight rising tendency as the alkyl chain length is increased. The S-N transition curve steeply rises and seems to be merging with the S-I curve. The mesomorphic range is good; the nature of the curve can predict the latent N-S or I-N transitions. All smectic orientations are of focal conic smectic A texture except in the case of sixth and seventh homologues where homeotropic nature prevails.     

Study of a new homologous series of liquid crystals: Isopropyl-p-(p/-n-alkoxy cinnamoyloxy) cinnamates

A new homologous series: isopropyl-p-[p^/-n-alkoxy cinnamoyloxy] cinnamates was synthesized and studied with a view to understanding and establishing the relation between liquid crystal property and molecular structure. Twelve homologues were synthesized. Methyl to butyl homologues are not liquid crystals, while pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, and hexadecyl derivatives are enantiotropic liquid crystal in nature with nematogenic character. Smectogenic character is totally absent. A phase diagram is obtained by plotting a graph of transition temperatures versus number of carbon atoms is n-alkyl chain of left n-alkoxy terminal end group. Solid-isotropic or solid-nematic transition curve rises steeply from methyl to propyl derivatives and falls to pentyl homologue through butyl homologue, and follows a zigzag path of rising and falling values as the series is ascended. Nematic–isotropic transition curve shows descending tendency as series is ascended in a normal manner with exhibition of odd-even effect. Smectic mesophase does not appear even in the monotropic condition. Phase transition temperatures are determined by hot stage polarizing microscope. Analytical data support the structure of molecules. Texture of nematic mesophase is of threaded type. Mesomorphic properties are compared with structurally similar homologous series.     

Study of mesomorphism and laterally substituted nitro group

A novel thermotropically mesomorphic, meta-substituted nitro group of chalconyl ester series, RO-C₆H₄-COO-C₆H₃-(NO₂)-CO-CH=CH-C₆H₄OC₁₂H₂₅(n) (para) is synthesized and studied with an aim to establish the relation between molecular structure and the mesomorphism with reference to changing molecular flexibility in presence of nitro lateral group. Novel homologous series consist of thirteen homologs (C₁–C₁₈) whose mesomorphism commences from C₅ homolog as enantiotropic nematogenic with absence of smectic property, even in the monotropic condition. Transition temperatures of novel substances were determined by an optical polarizing microscope, equipped with a heating stage (POM). Textures of a nematic phase are threaded or Schlieren. N-I transition curve exhibited narrow, sharp and short odd-even effect; with deviating trend in a phase diagram. Analytical, spectral and thermal data confirmed the molecular structures of homologs. Thermal stability for nematic is 182.89°C, whose mesophase lengths minimum to maximum ranges from 17°C to 45°C and it is an upper middle ordered melting type series. Group efficiency order for nematic is series 1 > series Y > series X, as derived from comparative study of structurally similar analogous series.     

Synthesis and Liquid Crystal Behavior of a Novel Ester Homologous Series

A novel ester homologous series of 4-[4’-n-alkoxy cinnamoyloxy] benzyl benzoates has been synthesized. The series consists of 12 homologues. Liquid crystal properties commence from the sixth member to the last member of the series with the exhibition of an enantiotropic nematic phase without the exhibition of any smectogenic mesophase. The remaining homologues do not exhibit liquid crystal behavior. The texture of the nematic phase is of the threaded or Schlieren type. The solid-nematic or isotropic transition curve adopts a zigzag path and the nematic-isotropic transition curve steeply rises and then falls in the phase diagram and behaves in normal manner. An odd–even effect is absent in the nematic-isotropic transition curve with an alteration of transition temperatures. The average thermal stability for the nematic mesophase is 153.1°C, and the nematogenic temperature ranges vary from 12°C to 50°C. Analytical data confirm the molecular structures of the homologues. The Liquid Crystal properties and transition temperatures were observed through an optical polarizing microscope, equipped with a heating stage. The mesomorphic characteristics of the novel ester series are compared with other, known and structurally similar series. The novel series is predominantly nematogenic with the absence of any smectogenic character, with relatively short mesophase temperature ranges and of the middle ordered melting type.     

Mesomorphism dependence on lateral substitution of functional groups and their position in series: 4(4′-n-alkoxy benzoyloxy)-3-chloro phenyl azo-2″-methoxy benzenes

Eleven homologues of the title series were synthesized. The methyl-to-pentyl derivatives are nonmesomorphic. The nematic mesophase commences from the sixth member of the series without any smectic phase. An odd–even effect in the nematic–isotropic transition curve is not observed. The nematic mesophase appeared as a threaded or a Schlieren-type texture as observed through a hot-stage polarizing microscope. The nematic–isotropic transition temperatures are between 89°C and 127°C with the mesomorphic range varying from 9°C to 44°C at the hexyl and tetradecyl derivative of the series, respectively. The nematic–isotropic transition curve initially rises and then falls in a normal manner as the series is ascended, but it abnormally rises beyond the 10th homologue. The series is enantiotropic nematic with a middle-ordered melting type. Analytical data support the structures of the molecules. The thermal stability and some other mesomorphic characteristics are compared with structurally similar homologous series. The average nematic–isotropic thermal stability is 105.4°C.     

Mesomorphic properties of liquid crystalline compounds with chalconyl central linkage in two phenyl rings

In order to investigate the influence of the central linking group and the effect of flexibility on mesomorphism, we have synthesised a newly homologous series 3-(3-butoxyphenyl)-1-(4-n-alkoxy phenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (series-l) consisting of 13 homologues C₁–C₈, C₁₀, C₁₂, C₁₄, C₁₆ and C₁₈. In the present series, mesophase commences from the C₆ homologue. C₁–C₅ homologues did not exhibit liquid crystalline (LC) property, while C₆–C₁₂ homologues exhibited an enantiotropic nematic phase and the rest of the homologues C₁₄–C₁₈ displayed monotropic SmC and nematic mesophase. The transition temperatures of the synthesised compounds were determined by an optical polarising microscopy equipped with a heating stage. All newly synthesised compounds were confirmed by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, IR and elemental analysis.     

High Pressure Studies on Mesomorphic and Polymesomorphic Transitions

The paper presents the following results: (1) pressure induced mesomorphism in p-p'-n-butylazobenzene and biphenyl p-ethyl benzoate. (2) the monotropic nematic-isotropic transition in trans-p-n-propoxy-x-methyl cyanophenyl cinnamate becoming enantiotropic under pressure, (3) suppression of the cholesteric mesophase in cholesteryl nonanoate and the location of a solid-cholesteric-isotropic triple point at ～ 2.85 kbar. confirming an earlier observation of Keyes. Weston and Daniels on the same compound, (4) a measurement of dT/dp for the solid-smectic A, smectic A-cholesteric and cholesteric-isotropic transitions in cholesteryl myristate and a comparison with the values evaluated from the Clausius-Clapeyron equation using the known latent heat and volumetric data.     

Mesomorphism dependence on terminal end groups

A novel homologous series of liquid crystals (LC) 4-(4′-n-alkoxy cinnamoyloxy)-4′′-bromobenzylbenzoate was synthesized and studied with a view to understanding and establishing the relation between LC properties and the molecular structure. The novel series comprises 11 members, and all the members exhibit mesomorphism as enantiotropic smectic. None of the homologues are nematogenic, even in the monotropic condition. Transition temperatures were determined by an optical polarizing microscope equipped with a heating stage. The textures of smectic phase are of the type A or C. The transition curves Sm-I and Cr-Sm behave in a normal manner in the phase diagram. An odd-even effect is exhibited by the Sm-I transition curve. Thermal stability for smectic is 102.6°C. Mesomorphism commences from the very first member of the series. The series is entirely smectogenic and of middle-order melting type whose mesomorphic phase length ranges from 7.4°C to 60.9°. Analytical and spectral data confirmed the molecular structures of homologues. The mesomorphic properties of the present series are compared with structurally similar homologous series.     

Dependence of mesomorphism on tail group in combination with a lateral methoxy group

A novel homologous series of esters with a lateral methoxy group and terminal n-heptyl cinnamate group was synthesized and studied to investigate mesomorphic behavior in relation to structure. The twelve membered series consists of methoxy to pentyloxy derivatives that are nonmesomorphic and the rest of the homologs as smectegenically mesomorphic, including C₆ and C₇ monotropic smectic and C₈ to C₁₆ enantiotropic smectic without exhibition of any nematic property. The textures of smectogenic mesophases are focal conic fan shaped or batonates of the type smectic-A or Schlieren-C. An odd-even effect is exhibited by the Sm–I transition curve in the phase diagram. The Cr–Sm and Sm-I transition curves behave in a normal manner. Transition temperatures and textures were determined on an optical polarizing microscope, equipped with a heating stage. Some representative members were characterized by IR, H¹NMR, mass spectra, and elemental analysis. Analytical data support the molecular structures of the homologs. Mesomorphic properties of the present novel series are compared with the structurally similar known series. The present series is smectogenic only, whose thermal average stability is 89.8^°C and of a middle-ordered melting type.     

Mesomorphic Heterocyclic Homologous Series: 1.7-(4'-n-Alkoxybenzoyloxy)-3-acetylcoumarins 11. 4'-Formylphenyl 7-n- alkoxycoumarin-3-carboxylates

Two homologous series of coumarin derivatives have been synthesized and mesomorphic behavior of their members has been studied. In case of Series I, mesomorphism does not begin to appear until the butyl homolog, which is monotropic nematic. The remaining members of the series exhibit both nematic and smectic or only smectic properties. In case of Series II, all the homologs, except the first seven, exhibit only a smectic phase. In both the series, plots of S-N or I transition temperatures versus the number of carbon atoms in the alkoxy chain show an ascending tendency.     

Novel Cinnamate Esters—Synthesis and Mesomorphic Properties in Relation to Molecular Structure

A novel homologous series 4-[4′-n-alkoxy cinnamoyloxy] benzyl cinnamates consisting of 11 homologs was synthesized and studied with a view to understanding and establishing the relation between molecular structure and mesomorphic behavior of a substance. Mesomorphic behavior of the series commences from the third homolog and then continues until the last hexadecyloxy homolog. The first and second members of a series are non-mesomorphic. Nematogenic mesophase formation is observed from the propoxy homolog to the hexadecyloxy homolog, but the smectogenic mesophase formation is observed from the hexyloxy homolog to the tetradecyloxy homolog. All mesomorphic transitions are enantiotropic in nature. Transition temperatures were determined by an optical polarizing microscopy equipped with a heating stage. The textures of the nematic mesophase are threaded or Schlieren in type and that of the smectic mesophases are focal conic fan shaped of the smectic A or smectic C type. A phase diagram of the series shows a normal behavior of the transition curves with a minor abnormality of the last three homologs for the nematic-isotropic transition curve. The average thermal stability for smectic and nematic mesophases is 176.0°C and 219.3°C, respectively. Analytical and spectral data agree with the molecular structures of homologs. Mesomorphic phase length varies between 22°C and 76°C. Smectic phase length varies from 6°C to 33°C and nematic phase length varies from 22°C to 54°C. Thus, the novel present series is predominantly nematogenic and partly smectogenic. Mesomorphic properties of the novel series are compared with structurally similar other known homologous series.     

Mesomorphism dependence on molecular rigidity

A novel ester homologous series of thermotropic liquid crystal (LC) has been studied with a view to understanding and establishing the relation between LC property and the molecular structure. The series consists of 11 members, the C₁–C₅ and C₁₆ members of the series are nonliquid crystals. LC properties commence from the C₆ homolog and continue up to the C₁₄ homolog as enantiotropic nematic and smectic in addition to nematic. Transition temperatures of the homologs were determined by an optical polarizing microscope equipped with a heating stage. Textures of nematic phase are threaded or Schlieren and that of smectic is focal conic of the type-A. Analytical and spectral data confirm the structures of homologs. Thermal stability for nematic is 93 °C and 136 °C, respectively. The N–I and Sm–N transition curves of phase diagram do not exhibit odd-even effect. The N–I transition curve partly behaves in an abnormal manner. The Cr–I and Sm–N transition curves behave in normal manner. The LC behavior of the present series is compared with structurally similar known homologous series.     

Some Novel Nematic Liquid Crystals of Negative Dielectric Anisotropy

A number of ether and ester derivatives of 1-(trans-4-n-alkylcyclohexyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane bearing lateral substituents on the phenyl ring are reported. Several of the novel compounds exhibit enantiotropic nematic phases at room temperature. All of the liquid crystals described are of negative dielectric anisotropy (-0.5 -3.5). The effect of lateral substituents on the liquid crystal transition temperatures of these ethanes has been studied.     

Synthesis and Some Properties of 3-Fluoro-4-Cyanophenyl 4′-n-alkylbenzoates

A series of 3-fluoro-4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-alkylbenzoates, which show monotropic nematic phases, was prepared and their transition temperatures and melting enthalpies were measured. The 3-fluoro-4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate, 3-chloro-4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate and 4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate were mixed with a nematic mixture (A) of 4-n-alkoxyphenyl 4′-n-alkylcyclohexane-1′-carboxylates. 3-Fluoro-4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate decreases the N-1 transition temperature less, increases the birefringence more, and increases the bulk viscosity less than 3-chloro-4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate, and reduces the threshold voltage to the greatest extent. The dielectric anisotropies of 3-fluoro-4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate and 4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate determined from a series of solutions of the compounds in nematic mixture (A) are 35.9 and 29.6, respectively.     

Mesomorphism dependence on molecular rigidity and flexibility

A novel homologous series of liquid crystalline properties is synthesized and studied with a view to understand the effect of molecular structure on its thermotropic properties. Novel homologous series consisted of thirteen homologs. All the homologs are enantiotropically smectogenic with absence of nematic property even in the monotropic condition. Textures of the homologs as observed through an optical hot stage polarizing microscopy. The mesophase temperature range vary minimum from 6.0°C to a maximum 37.0°C at the methyloxy and propyloxy derivatives of a series respectively with its thermal stability (Sm–I) 127.0°C. Transition curves of a phase diagram behaved in normal manner. Odd–even effect is observed for Sm–I transition curve.     

Phase transition studies in mesogenic dimers

Schiff base liquid crystal dimers, both symmetric and non‐symmetric, in which two anisotropic groups are linked by a flexible spacer, exhibit a rich variety of smectic mesomorphism. The interest in this class of mesogens stems not only from their ability to act as model compounds for semi‐flexible mainchain liquid crystal polymers but also from their quite different properties compared to conventional low molar mass liquid crystals (monomers). We report here the phase transition studies on two examples of these schiff base liquid crystal dimers using the Differential Scanning Calorimetry and density measurements as a function of temperature. The symmetric liquid crystal dimer, α,ω‐bis (4‐n‐dodecylaniline benzylidene‐4′‐oxy)decane (10.O12O.10) exhibits a very rare Isotropic to G transition. Where as, the non‐symmetric dimer, α‐(4‐cyano biphenyl‐4′‐yloxy)‐ω‐(4‐n‐decylanilinebenzylidene‐4′‐oxy)decane (CB.O10O.10) exhibits a rare nematic to intercalated smectic A phase transition. The transitions studied, isotropic to nematic and isotropic to G exhibit a large density jump at the transition confirming their first order nature. Nematic to intercalated smectic A transition is found to be a second order transition whose behavior is similar to nematic to smectic A transition. Calculated values of pressure dependence of transition temperature and thermal expansion coefficient are also reported.