Reactivity differences of indomethacin solid forms with ammonia gas

The present study deals with the acid-base reaction of three solid-state forms of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug indomethacin with ammonia gas. X-ray powder diffraction, optical microscopy, gravimetry, and spectroscopic methods were employed to establish the extent of the reaction as well as the lattice changes of the crystal forms. The glassy amorphous form readily reacts with ammonia gas to yield a corresponding amorphous ammonium salt. In addition, the metastable crystal form of indomethacin (the alpha-form) also reacts with ammonia gas, but produces the corresponding microcrystalline ammonium salt. This reaction is anisotropic and propagates along the a-axis of the crystals. The stable crystal form (the gamma-form), however, is inert to ammonia gas. Amorphous indomethacin can react with ammonia gas because it has more molecular mobility and free volume. The reactivity differences between the alpha- and gamma-forms are dictated by the arrangement of the molecules within the respective crystal lattices. The recently determined crystal structure of the metastable alpha-form of indomethacin (monoclinic P2(1) with Z = 6, V = 2501.8 A(3), D(c) = 1.42 g.cm(-3)) has three molecules of indomethacin in the asymmetric unit. Two molecules form a mutually hydrogen-bonded carboxylic acid dimer, while the carboxylic acid of the third molecule is hydrogen bonded to one of the amide carbonyls of the dimer. The carboxylic acid groups of the alpha-form are exposed on the [100] faces and are accessible to attack by ammonia gas. After one layer of molecules reacts, the reactive groups in the subsequent layer are accessible to the ammonia gas. This process proceeds along the a-axis until the ammonia gas has penetrated the entire crystal. In contrast to the alpha-form, the gamma-form has a centrosymmetric crystal structure in which the hydrogen-bonded carboxylic acid dimers are not accessible to ammonia gas because they are caged inside a hydrophobic shield comprising the remainder of the indomethacin molecule. In view of the significantly lower density of the stable gamma-form as compared to the metastable alpha-form (1.37 and 1.42 g cm(-3), respectively), it became apparent that the reactivity of the crystal forms depends exclusively on the molecular arrangement and not on the packing density of the indomethacin crystals.     

The tensile properties of electrospun nylon 6 single nanofibers

In this article, we have aimed to mechanically characterize the nylon 6 single nanofiber and nanofiber mats. We have started by providing a critical review of the developed mechanical characterization testing methods of single nanofiber. It has been found that the tensile test method provides information about the mechanical properties of the nanofiber such as tensile strength, elastic modulus and strain at break. We have carried out a tensile test for nanofiber/composite MWCNTs nanofiber mats to further characterize the effect of the MWCNTs filling fiber architecture. In addition, we have designed and implemented a novel simple laboratory set‐up for performing tensile test of single nanofibers. As a result, we have established the stress–strain curve for single nylon 6 nanofibers allowing us to define the tensile strength, axial tensile modulus and ultimate strain of this nanofiber. The compared values of the tensile strength, axial modulus and ultimate strain for nylon 6 nanofiber with those of conventional nylon 6 microfiber have indicated that some of the nylon 6 nanofiber molecule chains have not been oriented well along the nanofiber axis during electrospinning and through the alignment mechanism. Finally, we have explained how we can improve the mechanical properties of nylon 6 nanofibers and discussed how to overcome the tensile testing challenges of single nanofibers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1719–1731, 2010     

Thermal annealing of doubly oriented nylon 11 in contact with formic acid

The most striking feature of the mechanism of thermal annealing of doubly oriented samples of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and probably of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a progressive tilt of lamellar crystals around their crystallographic b axis. Such a rotation does not occur on thermal annealing in doubly oriented nylons. However, this rotation mechanism occurs during the thermal annealing of doubly oriented samples of nylon 11 in contact with a solvent below its dissolution temperature. As for oriented samples of polyethylene (PE), a correlation between the changes of macroscopic dimensions and long spacing obtained from the small-angle x-ray pattern is difficult to establish. In doubly oriented samples of nylon 11, the basal faces of the lamellar crystals are parallel to the a axis of the unit cell. Nevertheless, simple Miller indices cannot be assigned to the basal planes of the lamellae. On thermal annealing in formic acid, the basal planes of the lamellar crystals are, in some cases, parallel to (00l) planes. Annealing in formic acid at room temperature induces a phase transition: the chain c axis remains oriented along the rolling direction and the (00l) planes become parallel to the limiting planes of the lamellar crystals. Bulk doubly oriented samples of nylon 11 annealed in formic acid just below the “dissolution temperature” have the same texture of orientation as filter mats of single crystals grown from dilute solution; moreover, as these bulk specimens remain doubly oriented, they can be used for further physicochemical investigations. The usual interpretation of the small-angle x-ray pattern is also discussed on the basis of the results reported in this paper.     

Polymerization in the crystalline state. X. Solid-state conversion of 6-aminocaproic acid to oriented nylon 6

When single crystals of 6-aminocaproic acid (ACA) are heated about 30°C below their melting point, polycondensation to nylon 6 takes place. The polymer crystallites are biaxially oriented towards each other and the relation between their orientation and that of the parent monomer crystal has been clarified. The kinetics of the process are characterized by three stages, (a) an induction period, (b) a stage in which monomer disappears at a constant rate while polymer of relatively low molecular weight is formed, and (c) a slow polycondensation of the polyamide chains after exhaustion of the monomer. Oligomer concentrations were below detectable limits at all stages of the process. Addition of monomer to the polyamide was retarded when ACA was kept from reaching its equilibrium vapor pressure (0.12 mm Hg at 170°C) by condensation on a cool surface or when an inert gas was admitted to the system. This was interpreted as suggesting that ACA is transported through the vapor phase to the propagating polyamide. A number of surfaces catalyzed the polycondensation of ACA vapor, but nylon 6 formed in this way on KCl crystals exhibited no preferred orientation. The linear dimer and trimer of ACA were also found to condense to nylon 6 in the crystalline state, although at a slower rate than the monomer. The solid-state polycondensation of these oligomers was accelerated when they were exposed to the vapor of the monomer. Solid-state polycondensation of single crystals of the linear dimer led also to biaxially oriented nylon 6.     

Crystalline texture of injection-molded nylon 6

Injection-molded specimens of nylon 6 were examined by x-ray diffraction as a function of depth in three characteristic directions. A skin and a core were always found to be present which differed in the degree of crystalline perfection and crystal modification. While the core of pure nylon 6 was found to be not oriented, the core of specimens containing nucleating agents was found to contain a typical texture of the monoclinic modification of nylon 6 in which the distribution probability of the a^* and c^* axes resembles ellipsoids with three unequal axes. A model explaining this texture as due to degenerated (deformed) spherulites is proposed. With a transcrystalline nylon 6 specimen the direction of the fastest growth in the unit cell (which forms the radius of spherulites) is found to be close to the a axis.     

Polymorphic forms of nylon 3

The crystal structure of nylon 3 was studied, and four crystalline modifications were observed. Modification I, as determined from the x-ray diffraction pattern of drawn fibers, is similar to the α crystal structure of nylon 6. The unit cell is monoclinic; a = 9.33 Å, b = 4.78 Å, (fiber identity period), c = 8.73 Å, and β = 60°. The theoretical density for nylon 3 with four monomeric units in the unit cell is 1.39 g/cm³, and the observed density is 1.33 g/cm³. The space group is P2₁. The nylon 3 chains are in the extended planar zigzag conformation. Although other odd-numbered nylon form triclinic or pseudohexagonal crystals when oriented, drawn nylon 3 crystals are monoclinic. In addition to modification I, modifications II, III, and IV were studied. Lattice spacings of modifications II and III are equal to those of modification I. However x-ray diffraction intensities are different. Infrared spectra of those forms indicate an extended planar zigzag conformation of the chains. Modification IV is thought to correspond to the so-called smectic hexagonal form. No γ crystals were found, and it appears that polyamide chains with short sequences of methylene groups cannot form crystals of this type.     

Magnetic orientation of 1,3,5-triphenyl-6-oxoverdazyl radical crystals

The magnetic orientation has been studied for paramagnetic organic radical crystals 1,3,5-triphenyl-6-oxoverdazyl and 1,5-di-p-tolyl-3-phenyl-6-oxoverdazyl in magnetic fields of 2-80 kOe at temperatures of 77-343 K. The X-ray diffraction measurement has revealed that the crystals are oriented with the crystallographic c axis perpendicular to the field. The anisotropic diamagnetic susceptibility arising from the benzene rings has been estimated for the crystals along the principal magnetic chi 1, chi 2, and chi 3 axes. (The chi 1 axis is at a small angle to the a axis in the monoclinic ac plane, and the chi 3 axis is along the b axis.) Since the paramagnetic susceptibility originating from the verdazyl ring is isotropic (though a large absolute value), it is shown that the magnetic orientation occurs by the anisotropy of the diamagnetic susceptibility in the crystals. The diamagnetic susceptibility is found to have a relation of chi 2 < chi 1 < chi 3 < 0.     

Assembly of well-aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes in confined polyacrylonitrile environments: electrospun composite nanofiber sheets

Highly oriented, large area continuous composite nanofiber sheets made from surface-oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were successfully developed using electrospinning. The preferred orientation of surface-oxidized MWNTs along the fiber axis was determined with transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction. The surface morphology and height profile of the composite nanofibers were also investigated using an atomic force microscope in tapping mode. For the first time, it was observed that the orientation of the carbon nanotubes within the nanofibers was much higher than that of the PAN polymer crystal matrix as detected by two-dimensional wide-angle X-ray diffraction experiments. This suggests that not only surface tension and jet elongation but also the slow relaxation of the carbon nanotubes in the nanofibers are determining factors in the orientation of carbon nanotubes. The extensive fine absorption structure detected via UV/vis spectroscopy indicated that charge-transfer complexes formed between the surface-oxidized nanotubes and negatively charged (-CN[triple bond]N:) functional groups in PAN during electrospinning, leading to a strong interfacial bonding between the nanotubes and surrounding polymer chains. As a result of the highly anisotropic orientation and the formation of complexes, the composite nanofiber sheets possessed enhanced electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, thermal deformation temperature, thermal stability, and dimensional stability. The electrical conductivity of the PAN/MWNT composite nanofibers containing 20 wt % nanotubes was enhanced to approximately 1 S/cm. The tensile modulus values of the compressed composite nanofiber sheets were improved significantly to 10.9 and 14.5 GPa along the fiber winding direction at the MWNT loading of 10 and 20 wt %, respectively. The thermal deformation temperature increased with increased MWNT loading. The thermal expansion coefficient of the composite nanofiber sheets was also reduced by more than an order of magnitude to 13 x 10(-6)/ degrees C along the axis of aligned nanofibers containing 20 wt % MWNTs.     

Small-angle x-ray scattering by nylon 6

Small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) of isotropic or uniaxially oriented nylon 6 was investigated as a function of thermal and mechanical history. In addition to the peak position and linewidth of the SAXS maximum, the integrated SAXS intensity was measured. It was found that the radial intensity distributions of isotropic or arced patterns are controlled to some extent by the small width of the semicrystalline macrolattice, rendering the conventional long period and line shape analysis inapplicable to these patterns. A two-dimensional analysis is possible with well-oriented fibers; the major structural changes which are seen in fibers after annealing above 190°C are associated with melting and recrystallization. Extensive cold drawing and subsequent annealing cause rather modest (ca. ～30%) changes in the integrated SAXS intensity. These effects are consistent with the generation of homogeneous interfibrillar regions during the latter stages of plastic deformation. On annealing a quenched film on nylon 6, the transformation of the crystals from a pseudohexagonal to a monoclinic habit occurs above 170°C.     

Study on melting and recrystallization of poly(butylene succinate) lamellar crystals <Emphasis Type="Italic">via</Emphasis> step heating differential scanning calorimetry

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been widely applied to study crystallization and melting of materials. However, for polymeric lamellar crystals, the melting thermogram during heating process usually exhibits a broad endothermic peak or even multiple endotherms, which may result from changes of metastability via recrystallization process. Sometimes, the recrystallization exotherm cannot be observed due to its overlapping with the melting endotherm. In this work, we employed a step heating procedure consisting of successive heating and temperature holding stages to measure the metastability of isothermally crystallized poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) crystals. With this approach we could gain the fraction of crystals melted at different temperature ranges and quantitatively detect the melting-recrystallization behavior. The melting-recrystallization behavior depends on the polymer chain structure and the crystallization temperature. For instance, PBS block copolymer hardly shows recrystallization behavior while PBS oligomer and high molecular weight PBS homopolymer demonstrate remarkable melting-recrystallization phenomenon. High molecular weight PBS isothermally crystallized in the low temperature range shows multiple melting-recrystallization while those isothermally crystallized at elevated temperatures do not exhibit observable recrystallization behavior. Furthermore, the melting endotherms were fitted via the melting kinetics equations. The original isothermally crystallized lamellae demonstrate quite different melting kinetics from the recrystallized lamellar crystals that melt at the highest temperature range, which is attributed to the different degrees of stabilization. Finally, the mechanism of melting-recrystallization is briefly discussed. We propose that apparent melt-recrystallization phenomenon be observed when melting of preformed lamellar crystals and recrystallization of thicker lamellae have similar free energy barrier.     

热处理对尼龙6及其与聚酰胺嵌段共聚物共混体系晶体熔融行为和结晶结构的影响

采用溶液共混-共沉淀的办法获得尼龙6及聚酰胺嵌段共聚物/尼龙6共混体系粉末,样品在260℃下熔融之后经程序降温的方法得到非淬火样品,然后分别在190℃下高温退火不同时间(0~48 h),采用示差扫描量热仪(DSC)、广角X射线衍射仪(WAXD)、偏光显微镜(POM)等表征手段研究热处理对体系晶体熔融行为和结晶结构的影响.结果表明,(1)在相同的热历史条件下,嵌段共聚物的存在影响了尼龙6的结晶行为及结晶结构;(2)退火处理对两种样品有着不同的影响,对于尼龙6体系,退火处理促进了非晶相向晶相的转变,大大提高样品的结晶完善程度和结晶度;对于共混体系,退火处理同样促进了非晶相向晶相的转变,同时形成新的α型和γ型结晶,体系的结晶完善程度明显提高,退火48 h后,结晶度比原始样品提高约84%.     

Detection of Phthalate Esters in Environmental Water Samples-Comparison of Nylon6 Nanofibers Mat-based Solid Phase Extraction and Other Conventional Extraction Methods

In this article, a new method for simultaneous determination of six phthalate esters was developed by a combination of electrospun nylon6 nanofibers mat‐based solid phase extraction with high performance liquid chromatography‐ultraviolet detector (HPLC‐UV). The six phthalate esters were dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di‐n‐butyl phthalate (DBP), di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dioctyl phthalate (DOP). Under optimized conditions, all target analytes in 50 mL environmental water samples could be completely extracted by 2.5 mg nylon6 nanofibers mat and eluted by 100 µL solvent. Compared with C18 cartridges solid phase extraction, C18 disks solid phase extraction and national standard method (China), nylon6 nanofibers mat‐based solid phase extraction was advantageous in aspects of simple and fast operation, low consumption of extraction materials and organic solvents. The four methods were applied to analysis of environment water samples. All the results indicated that the determination values of target compounds with the proposed method were consistent with C18 cartridges and C18 disks solid phase extraction method, and the new method was better than the national standard method in aspects of recovery, LOD and precision. Therefore, nylon6 nanofibers mat has great potential as a novel material for solid phase extraction.     

Structure and morphology of nylon 2 4 lamellar crystals: Comparison with polypeptides and relationship with other nylons

Chain-folded lamellar crystals of nylon 2 4 have been prepared from dilute solution by addition of poor solvent. Two crystal structures are observed at room temperature: a monoclinic form I, precipitated at elevated temperature, and a less-defined, orthorhombic form II, precipitated at room temperature. The unit cell parameters for both forms are similar to those reported for its isomer, nylon 3. Nylon 2 4 form II is a liquid–crystal-like or disordered phase, consisting of hydrogen-bonded sheets in poor register in the hydrogen bond direction. Form I crystals have two characteristic interchain spacings of 0.41 nm and 0.39 nm at room temperature and on heating, exhibit a structural transformation and a Brill temperature (250°C) characteristic of many other even–even nylons. Nylon 2 4 is a member of the nylon 2 Y and nylon 2N 2(N+1) families, and the form I crystals show behavior commensurate with both. We propose they contain a proportion of intersheet hydrogen bonds at room temperature, similar to that for the nylon 2 Y family, and the short dimethylene alkane segments mean that the structure consists of hydrogen-bonded a-sheets, with an amide unit in each fold, similar to that of nylon 4 6. The fold geometry and sheet structure is compared with chain-folded apβ-sheet polypeptides and nylon 3. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. B Polym. Phys. 36: 2401–2412, 1998     

Crystal structure of nylon 12

The crystal structure of nylon 12 prepared by polymerization of dodecalactam has been determined by x-ray diffraction. Nylon 12 fiber exhibits only the γ form as its stable crystal structure. The unit cell of nylon 12 was determined with the aid of the x-ray diffraction pattern of a doubly oriented specimen. The unit cell is monoclinic with a = 9.38 Å, b = 32.2 Å (fiber axis), c = 4.87 Å and β = 121.5° and contains four repeating monomer units. The chain is planar zigzag for the most part but is twisted at the position of amide groups, forming hydrogen bonds between neighboring parallel chains. The chain conformation is similar to that of the γ form of nylon 6 proposed by Arimoto. It was deduced from the calculations that there are two chain conformations statistically coexistent according to the direction of twisting. In each conformation, hydrogen bonds are formed between parallel chains to make pleated sheetlike structures. The sheets are nearly parallel to (200) and in the sheet the directions of the neighboring chains are antiparallel, as is the case with nylon 6.     

Crystal structures of two polymorphs of Ca3[Al2N4

Green transparent single crystals of alpha-Ca3[Al2N4] (monoclinic, P2(1)/c, No. 14, a = 957.2(3) pm, b = 580.2(3) pm, c = 956.3(5) pm, beta = 111.62(3) degrees; Z = 4) were obtained from reactions of mixtures of the representative metals with nitrogen above temperatures of 1000 degrees C. beta-Ca3[Al2N4] (monoclinic, C2/c, No. 15, a = 1060.6(2) pm, b = 826.0(2) pm, c = 551.7(1) pm, beta = 92.1(1) degrees; Z = 4) was formed as a byproduct of a reaction of calcium with alumina under nitrogen at T = 930 degrees C in form of colorless crystals. The crystal structures of the two polymorphs contain edge- and corner-sharing AlN4 tetrahedra, leading to different layered anionic partial structures: infinity 2[AlN2/2N2/3)2(AlNN2/2N1/3)6/3(12-)] in the alpha-phase and infinity 2[Al2N2N4/2(6-)] in the beta-polymorph.     

Determination of optimum processing temperature for transformation of glyceryl monostearate

The purpose of this study was to clarify the mechanism of transformation from alpha-form to beta-form via beta'-form of glyceryl monostearate (GM) and to determine the optimum conditions of heat-treatment for physically stabilizing GM in a pharmaceutical formulation. Thermal analysis repeated twice using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) were performed on mixtures of two crystal forms. In the first run (enthalpy of melting: DeltaH1), two endothermic peaks of alpha-form and beta-form were observed. However, in the second run (enthalpy of melting: DeltaH2), only the endothermic peak of the alpha-form was observed. From a strong correlation observed between the beta-form content in the mixture of alpha-form and beta-form and the enthalpy change, (DeltaH1-DeltaH2)/DeltaH2, beta-form content was expressed as a function of the enthalpy change. Using this relation, the stable beta-form content during the heat-treatment could be determined, and the maximum beta-form content was obtained when the heat-treatment was carried out at 50 degrees C. An inflection point existed in the time course of transformation of alpha-form to beta-form. It was assumed that almost all of alpha-form transformed to beta'-form at this point, and that subsequently only transformation from beta'-form to beta-form occurred. Based on this aspect, the transformation rate equations were derived as consecutive reaction. Experimental data coincided well with the theoretical curve. In conclusion, GM was transformed in the consecutive reaction, and 50 degrees C was the optimum heat-treatment temperature for transforming GM from the alpha-form to the stable beta-form.     

Nylon 6 9 can crystallize with hydrogen bonding in two and in three interchain directions

Nylon 6 9 has been shown to have structures with interchain hydrogen bonds in both two and in three directions. Chain-folded lamellar crystals were studied using transmission electron microscopy and sedimented crystal mats and uniaxially oriented fibers studied by X-ray diffraction. The principal room-temperature structure shows the two characteristic (interchain) diffraction signals at spacings of 0.43 and 0.38 nm, typical of α-phase nylons; however, nylon 6 9 is unable to form the α-phase hydrogen-bonded sheets without serious distortion of the all-trans polymeric backbone. Our structure has c and c^* noncoincident and two directions of hydrogen bonding. Optimum hydrogen bonding can only occur if consecutive pairs of amide units alternate between two crystallographic planes. The salient features of our model offer a possible universal solution for the crystalline state of all odd–even nylons. The nylon 6 9 room-temperature structure has a C-centered monoclinic unit cell (β = 108°) with the hydrogen bonds along the C-face diagonals; this structure bears a similarity to that recently proposed for nylons 6 5 and X3. On heating nylon 6 9 lamellar crystals and fibers, the two characteristic diffraction signals converge and meet at 0.42 nm at the Brill temperature, T_B · T_B for nylon 6 9 lamellar crystals is slightly below the melting point (T_m), whereas T_B for nylon 6 9 fibers is ≅ 100°C below T_m. Above T_B, nylon 6 9 has a hexagonal unit cell; the alkane segments exist in a mobile phase and equivalent hydrogen bonds populate the three principal (hexagonal) directions. A structure with perturbed hexagonal symmetry, which bears a resemblance to the reported γ-phase for nylons, can be obtained by quenching from the crystalline growth phase (above T_B) to room temperature. We propose that this structure is a “quenched-in” perturbed form of the nylon 6 9 high-temperature hexagonal phase and has interchain hydrogen bonds in all three principal crystallographic directions. In this respect it differs importantly from the γ-phase models. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1153–1165, 1998     

Effect of partial melting on the crystallization kinetics of nylon‐1212

The isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of partially melted nylon‐1212 was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry. Because of partial melting, the pre‐existing crystals changed the crystallization mechanism and had a strong effect on the crystallization process. The Avrami exponent and interfacial free energy of the chain‐folded surface of partially melted nylon‐1212 were higher than those of completely melted nylon‐1212. The work of chain folding was determined to be 5.9 kcal/mol. The activation energy of the isothermal crystallization process was determined to be 399.1 kJ/mol, far higher than that of complete melting. The crystallization rate coefficient and Jeziorny analysis indicated that the ability of nonisothermal crystallization for partially melted nylon‐1212 was enhanced. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 3222–3230, 2005     

Optical components from a new vitrifying liquid crystal

New low molar mass liquid crystalline vitrifying materials have been synthesized and tested for application in optical films. The molecules were based on spiro compounds derived from pentaerythritol and mesogenic groups derived from cyanobiphenylyl moieties. The resulting materials showed glass transition temperatures as high as 85 degrees C and nematic to isotropic phase transition temperatures up to 222 degrees C. Crystallization from the melt was strongly suppressed. Well-aligned, solid, birefringent layers were obtained from the materials by spincoating. Uniaxially oriented layers with an optic axis tilted with respect to the substrate were obtained by spincoating the liquid crystals on pretilt amplification layers. When an anisotropic dye was incorporated in the liquid crystals, polarizers with a tilted absorption axis were obtained. In addition, the compounds were found to be suitable as hosts for photo-induced reorientation of photo-isomerizable dyes.     

Optical components from a new vitrifying liquid crystal

New low molar mass liquid crystalline vitrifying materials have been synthesized and tested for application in optical films. The molecules were based on spiro compounds derived from pentaerythritol and mesogenic groups derived from cyanobiphenylyl moieties. The resulting materials showed glass transition temperatures as high as 85 degrees C and nematic to isotropic phase transition temperatures up to 222 degrees C. Crystallization from the melt was strongly suppressed. Well-aligned, solid, birefringent layers were obtained from the materials by spincoating. Uniaxially oriented layers with an optic axis tilted with respect to the substrate were obtained by spincoating the liquid crystals on pretilt amplification layers. When an anisotropic dye was incorporated in the liquid crystals, polarizers with a tilted absorption axis were obtained. In addition, the compounds were found to be suitable as hosts for photo-induced reorientation of photo-isomerizable dyes.