Effect of lateral bromo substituent on the phase behavior of four-ring azo/ester/azo liquid crystalline materials

ABSTRACT

In order to study the influence of lateral Br substitution on mesophase behaviour, five homologous series of 4-substituted phenylazo phenyl 4?-(3?-bromo-4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (In_a–e) have been synthesised. Within each homologous series, the alkoxy group varies from 6 to 16 carbons, while other terminal group substituents, X, are CH₃O, CH₃, H, Br and NO₂ groups; the mesophase behaviour of these series is compared with previously prepared laterally neat analogues, 4-substituted phenylazo phenyl 4?-(4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (IIn_a–e) and laterally methyl analogues, 4-substituted phenylazo phenyl 4?-(3?-methyl-4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (IIIn_a–e). Similar to lateral methyl analogues, the present series, lateral Br substitution showed that, independent of the polarity of the substituent X or the alkoxy-chain length, the nematic phase is predominant with relatively high stability and broad temperature ranges. The mesophase stability varies between 204.0°C and 335.0°C for the nematic phase and 169.6°C and 281.0°C for the SmA phase. Their total mesophase temperature ranges vary between 87.2°C and 201.4°C. All compounds were found to be thermally stable within the mesophase temperature range, except the lower homologue of the nitro and Br substituted derivatives. The obtained results are discussed in terms of molecular polarisability.     

Effect of exchange of terminal substituents on the mesophase behaviour of some azo/ester compounds

Six homologous series of 4-(4′-alkoxy phenylazo) phenyl 4″-substituted benzoates (In_a-f) were prepared in which, within each homologous series, the length of the terminal alkoxy chain varies between 6, 8, 10, and 12 carbons, while the other terminal substituent, X, is a polar group that alternatively changed from CH₃O, CH₃, H, Br, NO₂ and CN. Compounds prepared were characterised by spectroscopic methods, and their mesophase behaviour investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarised optical microscopy (POM). The results were discussed in terms of mesomeric and polarisability effects. In each group of compounds, bearing the same alkoxy substituent, the nematic-to-isotropic transition temperatures (T_C) were successfully correlated with the polarisability anisotropy of bonds to the substituent X. A comparative study was made between the investigated compounds and their previously prepared isomers, namely, 4-(4′-substituted phenylazo) phenyl 4″-alkoxybenzoates (IIn_a-f) in which the two terminal (alkoxy- and X) groups are exchanged.     

Effect of position of the lateral fluoro substituent on the mesophase behaviour of aryl 4-alkoxyphenylazo benzoates in pure and binary mixtures

Five groups of 4-substituted phenyl 4?-(2?- (or 3″-) substituted-4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (In_a-c to Vn_a-c) were investigated in which, within each group, the length of the terminal alkoxy group varies between 8 and 16 carbons, while the other terminal substituent, X, is a polar group that alternatively changed between the electron-donating CH₃O and the electron-withdrawing Br group, in addition to the un-substituted analogue (X = H). The lateral substituent (Y) in the five groups I–V varies, respectively, between H, 3-CH₃, 2-CH₃, 3-F and 2-F. Their mesophase stabilities were determined by differential scanning calorimetry and phases identified by polarised light microscopy. The two newly prepared groups of compounds (IVn_a-c and Vn_a-c) are structurally characterised by infrared, ¹H-NMR, mass spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and elemental analyses. Binary phase diagrams were constructed for each pair of isomers from groups IV and V bearing the same wing substituents but the lateral F is attached to different positions (2? or 3″).     

The effect of inversion of the ester group on the mesophase behaviour of some azo/ester compounds

Five homologous series of 4-substituted phenyl 4′-(4″-alkoxy phenylazo) benzoates (In_a–?e) were prepared in which, within each homologous series, the length of the terminal alkoxy group varies between 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 carbons, while the other terminal substituent, X, is a polar group that alternatively changed from CH₃O, CH₃, H, Br, and CN groups. Compounds prepared were characterised by infrared, mass, and H¹-NMR spectroscopy and their mesophase behaviour investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarised light microscopy (PLM). The results were discussed in terms of mesomeric and polarisability effects. Only for the lower group of compounds, I8_a-e, that showed a nematic phase, the nematic-to-isotropic transition temperatures (T_N–I) were successfully correlated to the polarisability anisotropy of bonds to the substituent X. A comparative study was made between the investigated compounds and two previously prepared isomeric groups. In the first group of isomers, 4-(4′alkoxy phenylazo) phenyl 4″-substituted benzoates (IIn_a–e), the ester groups are inverted. While in the second, 4-(4′-substituted phenylazo) phenyl 4″-alkoxy benzoates (IIIn_a–e), two modifications were made, inversion of the COO group, and exchange of the two wing substituents     

Polarity and steric effect of the lateral substituent on the mesophase behaviour of some newly prepared liquid crystals

Eight homologous series of 2- (or 3-) substituted phenyl 4?-(4?-alkoxy phenylazo) benzoates (In_a–h) were prepared in which, within each homologous series, the length of the terminal alkoxy group varies between 6, 8, 10 and 12 carbons, while the other substituent, X, is a laterally attached polar group that alternatively changed from CH₃, H, F, Br and CN. Compounds prepared were characterised by infrared and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, and their mesophase behaviour investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and identified by polarised light microscopy. The results were discussed in terms of polarity and steric effects. The stability of the mesophase was correlated once with the dipolar anisotropy of the whole molecule and another with the dipolar anisotropy of the substituent, X. A comparative study was made between the investigated compounds and their previously prepared linear 4-substituted isomers, namely 4-substituted phenyl 4?-(4?-alkoxy phenylazo) benzoates (In_i–k).     

The effect of orientation of the lateral methyl substituent on the mesophase behaviour of 4-alkoxyphenylazo aryl benzoates

Two homologous series of 4-alkoxyphenylazo 4?-(2?- (and 3?-) methyl-) 4?-substituted benzoates (IIn_a–f and IIIn_a–f, six series each) were prepared and investigated. Within each series, the length of the terminal alkoxy group varies among 6, 8, 10 and 12 carbons, while the other terminal substituent, X, is a polar group that alternatively changes between the electron-donating CH₃O, CH₃, and the electron-withdrawing Br, NO₂ and CN groups, in addition to the un-substituted analogue, X = H, aiming to investigate the effect of the different orientations of the methyl groups substituted on the central benzene ring, on the mesophase behaviour. The mesomorphic properties were discussed in terms of steric and polarisability effects. The mesophase stability was correlated with the polarisability anisotropy of bonds to the terminal substituent X. Comparative studies were made between the prepared isomers with each other and with the previously investigated laterally neat analogues 4-(4?-alkoxyphenylazo) phenyl 4?-substituted benzoates (In_a–f).     

Influence of lateral methyl and terminal substituents on the mesophase behaviour of four rings azo-ester liquid crystal compounds

ABSTRACT

The effect of introducing a lateral methyl substitution into the previously investigated laterally neat four-ring analogues, 4-substituted phenylazo phenyl 4?-(4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (In_a–e), on their mesophase behaviour was investigated for the newly prepared five homologous series of 4-substituted phenylazo phenyl 4?-(3?-methyl-4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (IIn_a–e). Within each homologous series, the alkoxy group varies between 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 carbons, while the substituent, X, is a polar group that alternatively changes between the electron-donating (CH₃O and CH₃) groups, and the electron-withdrawing (Br and NO₂) groups, including the unsubstituted homologues (IIn_c). Their mesophase stabilities were determined by DSC and phases identified by PLM. The results showed that independent of the alkoxy-chain length or the polarity of the substituent X, the nematic phase is predominant with relatively high stability and wide temperature ranges. All compounds show a good thermal stability in the mesophases domain, except the nitro and Br substituted derivatives bearing short alkoxy chain length. Comparison of the mesophase behaviour was also made between the present series and corresponding three-ring laterally CH_3-substituted azo/ester analogues. UV-vis absorption spectra revealed that derivatives with electron donating or an electron withdrawing groups exhibited redshifts of the π→π* transition compared with unsubstituded derivative.     

Mesophase stability of new Schiff base ester liquid crystals with different polar substituents

Four new groups of Schiff base ester liquid crystal compounds, 4-((4?-substituted phenylimino) methyl)phenyl–4″-alkoxybenzoates, In_a–d, were prepared and investigated for their mesophase formation and stability. Each group constitutes four homologous series that differ from each other by the polar substituent X (CH₃O, CH₃, H, and Cl). Within each homologous series, the number (n) of carbons in the alkoxy chain varies between 6, 8, 10, and 12. Molecular structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed via FT-IR, ¹H NMR, mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and polarised light microscopy. Comparative studies between the present series and previously investigated 4-(4-substituted phenylazo)phenyl 4″-alkoxybenzoates revealed that the phenylimino mesogenic core increases the mesophase stability rather than the azo analogues.     

Effect of including extra phenylazo moiety on the mesophase behaviour of three-ring azo/ester molecules

Five homologous series of the four-ring 4-substituted phenylazo phenyl 4?-(4?-alkoxy phenylazo) benzoates (In_a–e) were prepared and their mesophase behaviour investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and phases identified by polarised light microscopy (PLM). Compounds prepared were structurally characterised via infrared, ¹H-NMR, mass spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and elemental analysis. Transition temperatures were first correlated with the alkoxy-chain length (n, that varies between 6, 8, 10, 14, and 16 carbons) within each homologous series, and again with the polarisability anisotropy (Δα_X) of the Ar-X bond, where X changes between CH₃O, CH₃, H, Br, and CN groups . Comparative studies were made to investigate the effect of introducing the extra phenyl azo moiety into the previously investigated three-ring compounds, 4-substituted phenyl 4′-(4″-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (IIn_a–e), 4-substituted phenylazo 4′-(4″- alkoxy phenyl) benzoates (IIIn_a–e), and 4-(4′-alkoxy phenylazo) phenyl 4″-substituted benzoates (IVn_a–e), each bear the same polar group, X, and the alkoxy group, n .     

Mesophase behaviour of laterally di-fluoro-substituted four-ring compounds

Four new groups of the di-fluoro-substituted 4-(2′-(or 3′)-fluoro phenylazo)-2-(or 3-) fluoro phenyl-4″-alkoxyphenylazo benzoates (In–IVn) were prepared and investigated for their mesophase behaviour. An alkoxy group of variable chain length (n = 6, 10 and 14 carbons) is attached to the terminal phenylazo benzoate moiety, and two lateral fluoro substituents are attached individually with different orientations to the other two adjacent rings. The molecular structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The study aims to investigate the steric effect of the spatial orientation and relative positions of the two lateral fluorine atoms on the mesomorphic properties in their pure states. The mesophase behaviour was investigated via differential scanning calorimetry and mesophases were identified by polarised light microscopy. The investigation shows that these compounds exhibit high enantiotropic mesophases (SmC and N) and broad mesophase temperature range. The type and stability of the mesophase depends on the length of the terminal alkoxy chain and the position the two fluoro substituents. A comparison between these investigated compounds with their corresponding three-ring analogues was discussed.     

Mesophase stability in binary mixtures of monotropic nematogens

Binary phase diagrams were constructed from laterally substituted methyl azo/ester derivatives, namely 4-(4″-substituted phenylazo)-3-methyl phenyl-4″-alkoxy benzoates (In_a–d). In this group of compound the unsubstituted and chloro-substituted derivatives possess the nematic phase monotropically, while the nitro and methyl analogues are enantiotropically nematogenic. The binary phase diagrams constructed were made once from the monotropic nematogens with each other, and another with the enantiotropic nematogens. In both the cases enantiotropic nematic phase was observed that covers a wide range of composition. The mesophase behaviour of all binary mixtures was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarised light microscopy (PLM). The nematic phase was exhibited in all binary mixtures. Independent of the alkoxy chain length, the entropy change, ΔS_N–I of the N–I transition of pure components was found to vary irregularly with the anisotropy of polarisability (?α_X) of the polar substituent, X.     

Schiff base/ester liquid crystals with different lateral substituents: mesophase behaviour and DFT calculations

Four new groups of 4-((2?-substitutedphenylimino)methyl)phenyl-4”-alkoxy benzoates, In_a-d, of Schiff base ester liquid crystals, were prepared and investigated for their mesophase formation and stability. Each group constitutes four homologous series that differ from each other by the lateral attached polar group X in the ortho position for the imine mesogen at terminal benzene ring that alternatively changed from F, Br, NO2 and lateral benzene ring. Within each homologous series, the number (n) of carbons in the alkoxy chain varies between 6, 8, 10 and 12. Molecular structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed via elemental analysis, FT-IR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the phase identified by polarised light microscopy (PLM). A comparative study was made between the investigated compounds and their previously prepared laterally neat, 4-((4?-phenylimino)methyl)phenyl-4”-alkoxy benzoates (IIn); the result revealed that all lateral substituents not only decrease the melting temperature but also the mesophase stability and shown only nematic phase. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations for new lateral derivatives were discussed.     

Effect of orientation of lateral methyl substituent on the thermal behaviour of the mesophase in binary systems of 4-substituted phenyl 4ʹ-(4”-alkoxy phenylazo) benzoates

Several binary systems made from two laterally substituted azo/ester isomers, namely 2?- (and 3?-) methyl-4-substituted phenyl 4?-(4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates, where the length of the terminal alkoxy group = 8 and 16 carbons, while the other terminal substituent, X, varies between CH₃O, CH₃, H, Br and CN groups, were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and phases identified by polarised light microscope (PLM). For the sake of comparison, two another binary systems made from 2?- (or 3?-) methyl-4-substituted phenyl 4?-(4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (n = 8 and X = CH₃) each was mixed with its laterally neat analogue and similarly investigated. Results were discussed on the basis of constructed phase diagrams whereby various mesomorphic properties were observed dependent on X, n, and position of the lateral methyl group. In most of the cases, the mixtures exhibited eutectic compositions, while linear or nearly linear nematic and smectic A-composition temperature dependence were observed.     

Effect of orientation of extra fused benzene ring and lateral methyl substituent on the mesophase behaviour of three-ring azo/ester molecules

ABSTRACT

Two homologous series of the three-ring azo/ester compounds 2-(or1-) naphthyl 4?-(4?’-alkoxy phenylazo) benzoates (In_a and IIn_a) were synthesised. A lateral methyl group was introduced in different positions of the alkoxy phenyl moiety, in position-2 to give series In_b and IIn_b and in position-3 to give series In_c and IIn_c. Molecular structures were characterised via elemental analyses, infrared and ¹H-NMR. Their mesophase characteristics were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and their phases identified via polarised light microscopy (PLM). Transition temperatures were correlated with the alkoxy-chain length (n) that varies between 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 carbons. Comparative studies were first made to investigate the effect of including the extra fused benzene ring, and its orientation, into the previously investigated three-ring compounds, 4-phenyl 4?-(4′′-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (IIIn_a). Investigation of the mesophase behaviour was extended to cover the effect of introducing the lateral methyl group and its position. The comparison between the present six series and their corresponding phenyl analogues IIIn_a,b,c, indicated that the 2-naphthyl analogues, In_a,b,c, exhibit the highest mesophase stability. Whereas, the steric effect of the protruded naphthalene group destabilises all mesophases and appear only monotropically. The results were discussed in terms of polarisability effect.     

New Nitro-Laterally Substituted Azomethine Derivatives; Synthesis,Mesomorphic and Computational Characterizations

Two new homologues series, based on two rings of the azomethine central group bearing the terminal alkoxy group of various chain lengths, were prepared. The alkoxy chain length varied between 6 and 16 carbons. The other terminal wing in the first series was the F atom, and the compound is named N-4-florobenzylidene-4-(alkoxy)benzenamine (In). The second group of compounds included a lateral NO₂ substituent in addition to the terminal F atom, named N-(4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzylidene)-4-(alkyloxy)aniline (IIn). Mesomorphic and optical properties were carried out via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). Elemental analyses, FT-IR, and NMR spectroscopy were carried out to elucidate the molecular structures of the synthesized groups. Mesomorphic investigations indicated that all the synthesized homologues (In) were monomorphic, possessing the smectic A (SmA) phase monotropically, while the second group (IIn) members were non-mesomorphic. The experimental data indicated that the formation of the mesophase is affected by the protrusion of the lateral nitro group. The disruption of the mesophase in the second group was attributed to the increase of its molecular width, which affects its lateral intermolecular interactions. The computational simulations were in agreement with the experimental data. On the other hand, the location of NO₂ group within the molecular geometry increased the melting temperature of the molecule, and thus, affected their thermal and physical properties. By discussing the estimated parameters, it was found that the molecular architecture, the dipole moment, and the polarizability of the investigated compounds are highly affected by the electronic nature and position of the terminal and lateral substituents as well as their volumes.     

Improved mesophase stability of benzoxazole derivatives via dipole moment modification

By modifying the molecular dipole moments with lateral monofluorine substituent, improved mesophase stabilities were obtained for novel benzoxazole derivatives, 2-(4?-alkoxy-3-fluorobiphenyl-4-yl)-benzoxazole liquid crystals (coded as nPPF(3)Bx). The series of nPPF(3)Bx with lateral monofluorine substituent ortho to benzoxazole group have larger calculated dipole moments by about 2 D than the corresponding fluorine-substituted analogs (compounds I) with lateral monofluorine ortho to alkoxy group; it is interesting to note that they show lower melting and clearing points but better mesophase stability with wider mesophase ranges for the molecules with both polar (NO₂, Cl) and nonpolar (CH₃, H) terminal groups. Meanwhile, compounds nPPF(3)Bx show greater red-shifted photoluminescence emissions than compounds I, which suggest that π–π interaction between molecules is reinforced by the enhanced dipole–dipole interaction caused by increased dipole moments. These results suggest that modification of the molecular dipole moment is an effective method to improve the mesophase stability of the classical mesogenic compounds.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of the nematic mesophase benzoxazole derivatives with big twist angle of difluoro-biphenyl unit

Modifying the position and numbers of lateral fluorine substituent is a common method to design and adjust the mesophase of liquid crystal compounds. Here, a series of 2-(2,2?-difluoro-4?-alkoxy-1,1?-biphenyl-4-yl)-5-substituted benzoxazole with both non-polar (H, CH₃) and polar (NO₂) groups (coded as nPF(2)PF(2)Bx) is synthesised and characterised. All of the compounds show a conspicuous inter-ring twist angle of 38° compared with corresponding reference compounds I and II which are calculated by density functional theory method, and it is interesting to note that the final compounds nPF(2)PF(2)Bx show only nematic mesophase during heating or cooling. Meanwhile, the UV-vis absorption bands and photoluminescence emission peaks both display remarkable blue-shifted. The aforementioned results reveal that lateral difluoro substituents play a key role to stable the nematic mesophase by increasing the dihedral angle of biphenyl.     

Lateral protrusion and mesophase behaviour in pure and mixed states of model compounds of the type 4-(4′-substituted phenylazo)-2-(or 3-)methyl phenyl-4'-alkoxy benzoates

Two groups of the title compounds were prepared and investigated for their mesophase formation and stability. Each group constitutes five homologous series that differ from each other by the polar substituent X (CH₃O, CH₃, H, Cl, and NO₂). Within each homologous series, the number (n) of carbons in the alkoxy chain varies between 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16. The difference between the two groups of compounds lies in the orientation protrusion of the lateral methyl group attached to the central benzene ring. In the first group (Group I) the methyl substituent, introduced into the o-position with respect to the ester group, makes an angle of 60° with the long axis of the molecule. In the other series of compounds (Group II), the orientation angle is 120° as it is introduced into the position-3. All possible binary phase diagrams could be constructed in which the two components are corresponding positional isomers from either group. The study aimed to investigate the effect of inclusion of the lateral methyl group, as well as its spatial orientation, on the mesomorphic properties of the produced derivatives in their pure and mixed states. The compounds prepared in both groups were characterised for their mesophase behaviour by differential scanning calorimetry and polarised light microscopy. The nematic phase is the mesophase observed in most of the compounds prepared and their binary mixtures.     

Preparation and properties of lateral monofluoro-substituted benzoxazole-based mesogenic compounds

A series of 2-(3?-fluoro-4?-alkoxy-1,1?-biphenyl-4-yl)-benzoxazole liquid crystals (coded as nPF(3)PBx) were prepared, where a lateral fluorine substituent, as well as methyl, chlorine and nitro terminal groups, was introduced into the molecules to investigate the effects of different polar substituents on the liquid crystal properties. The mesomorphic and photophysical properties were investigated. The results show that compounds nPF(3)PBx have enantiotropic mesophases; meanwhile, they exhibit UV–vis absorption bands with maxima at 323–326 nm and photoluminescence emission peaks at 389–395 nm, respectively. It is noted that nPF(3)PBx with terminal polar groups or electron-withdrawing groups (NO₂, Cl) display higher clearing temperatures and wider mesophase range than those of the corresponding homologues with terminal non-polar groups or electron-donating groups (CH₃, H). Meanwhile, compared with two lateral fluorine-substituted analogues containing 3,5-difluorophenyl unit, lateral monofluoro-substituted nPF(3)PBx display enhanced mesophase range both in heating and cooling except for terminal methyl-substituted compounds, as well as show obvious red-shifted UV–vis absorption bands and photoluminescence emission, which are attributed to the enhanced dipole–dipole interaction caused by increased dipole moment.     

Effect of orientation of lateral fluorine atom on the mesophase behaviour of azo/ester molecules with terminal naphthyl group

ABSTRACT

Two homologous series of the three-ring 4?-(4"-alkoxy-2"-(or 3")fluoro phenylazo) benzoates terminated with 2-(or 1-) naphthyl groups (In_d&e or IIn_d&e), respectively, were prepared and their mesophase behaviour investigated via differential scanning calorimetry, whereas the type of the mesophase identified by polarised light microscopy. Molecular structures of compounds prepared were first characterised via infrared, ¹H-NMR and elemental analyses. Transition temperatures were correlated with the alkoxy chain length (n) that varies between 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 carbons.

Comparative studies were made to investigate the effect of including the lateral fluorine atom, and its orientation, into the previously investigated fluorine-free analogues, namely, 2-(or 1-) naphthyl 4?-(4"-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (In_a and IIn_a). The study was extended to investigate the effect of replacing the methyl group in the previously prepared 2"- and 3"-methyl analogues (In_b&c or IIn_b&c) with the fluorine atoms on their mesophase behaviour.