Terminal end‐group efficiency for the nematic phase using model bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes

The synthesis is reported of new liquid crystals incorporating the 1,4‐disubstituted bicyclo[2.2.2]octane ring and a series of substituents in a terminal position on the molecular core. The nature of the terminal substituent is varied from apolar with a small dipole moment to polar with a strong dipole moment. The angle of the dipole moment with respect to the molecular axis is also varied. An updated order of terminal group efficiency for substituents in a terminal position for the nematic phase is provided. The bicyclo[2.2.2]octane ring shields halogen substituents in a lateral position on phenyl rings attached to the bicyclooctane ring to a small degree and reduces the steric efects of these substituents, giving rise to high relative nematic–isotropic transition temperatures.     

Liquid crystalline compounds in the thiophene series. VIII. Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline vinylenes with thiophene moieties and carbaldehyde groups

New thermotropic liquid crystal compounds, with one and two mesogenic groups, have been synthesized and characterized. The structural elements of the compounds consist of thiophene ring systems, vinylene units and, for some compounds, carbaldehyde groups. Mesogenic groups involving three thiophene ring systems are normally not liquid crystalline. Only in the case of E,E-5-[5-(5-butyl-2-thienylvinyl)-2-thienylvinyl]-2-thiophenecarbaldehyde could a monotropic nematic phase be easily observed. By replacing thiophene ring systems in the core with a benzene ring system, or by attaching one carbaldehyde group at the moieties, or by doubling the mesogenic groups via an alkylene spacer, the temperature ranges of the mesophases of the compounds with thiophene ring systems can be enlarged or liquid crystal phases induced. The small values for δS_NI, which have been observed for the low molecular weight compounds, indicate a very low order in the nematic phases.     

The Effect Of The Position And Configuration Of Carbon-Carbon Double Bonds On The Mesomorphism Of Thermotropic, Non-Amphiphilic Liquid Crystals

The influence on their mesomorphic behaviour of introducing a carbon-carbon double bond into the chain, central linkage and alicyclic rings in the core of nematic and smectic liquid crystals (LCs) is discussed. Mesogens incorporating a trans-carbon-carbon double bond conjugated with an aromatic ring exhibit high mesophase-isotropic transition temperatures (T_c). However, they are photo-sensitive and can convert to the non-linear, non-mesogenic cis-isomers under the action of light. Non-conjugated double bonds in the terminal chain of mesogens can also lead to higher nematic and smectic C transition temperatures than those of the corresponding materials without a double bond, although the effect is not nearly as great. The position and trans-cis-configuration (E/Z) of the double bond are seen to be decisive. The combination of a hetero-atom (dipole effect) and the added rigidity imposed by the carbon-carbon double bond (steric effect) with a trans-configuration (E) in the terminal alkyl chain attached to the core of a liquid crystal molecule can give rise to a broad nematic phase. The double bond in the terminal chain of nematogens advantageously modifies the elastic constant ratios, as well as other properties of relevance to LCDs, especially for supertwisted TN-LCDs. The double bond in a central linkage gives rise to a broad spectrum of effects, sometimes suppressing undesired smectic phases and widening the nematic phase temperature range. Non-conjugated double bonds in the molecular core in the form of cyclohexene rings generally lead to lower transition temperatures, although smectic phases are sometimes suppressed and a nematic phase is observed. A conjugated double bond in a cyclohexene ring gives rise to a slightly higher T_NI. The effect on the transition temperatures of the double bond in steroid systems is complex.     

Terminal end-group efficiency for the nematic phase using model bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes

The synthesis is reported of new liquid crystals incorporating the 1,4-disubstituted bicyclo[2.2.2]octane ring and a series of substituents in a terminal position on the molecular core. The nature of the terminal substituent is varied from apolar with a small dipole moment to polar with a strong dipole moment. The angle of the dipole moment with respect to the molecular axis is also varied. An updated order of terminal group efficiency for substituents in a terminal position for the nematic phase is provided. The bicyclo[2.2.2]octane ring shields halogen substituents in a lateral position on phenyl rings attached to the bicyclooctane ring to a small degree and reduces the steric efects of these substituents, giving rise to high relative nematic-isotropic transition temperatures.     

High pressure studies of the static permittivity tensor components in the nematic phase of 6CB

The dielectric permittivity tensor components, ε_II and ε_⊥, in the nematic phase of 6CB (4-n-hexyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl) were measured in the pressure range 0.1-130 MPa and the temperature range 12-58°C. The dielectric anisotropy, Δε(p, V, T) = ε_II - ε_⊥, was analysed in isothermal, isobaric and isochoric conditions taking into account the pVT data and the well known Maier and Meier equation. On that basis the nematic order parameter S(p, V, T) was determined. This was used to calculate the parameter Γ relating the interaction potential with the volume (density). Its value Γ = 4.1 agrees very well with other estimates.     

Comparative studies of three- and four-ring mesogenic esters containing p-carborane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, cyclohexane, and benzene

Twelve esters were prepared from pentyl-substituted p-carborane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, cyclohexane, and benzene carboxylic acids and three substituted phenols. The mesogenic properties of the series of esters were examined using thermal analysis and optical microscopy. The relationships between structure and mesogenic properties were analysed by comparison of the series of homostructural esters. Thus, the effects of variation of the carboxylic acid structure, introduction of fluorine into the phenol part, and replacement of the central phenyl ring with the -CH₂CH₂- group on the stability of mesophases and their widths were investigated. In general, carborane derivatives exhibit broad nematic phases and narrow SmA phases, while other derivatives demonstrate rich smectic and soft crystal polymorphism.     

Non-monotonic temperature dependence of the alignment of a nematic mixture on a ferroelectric substrate

Polarization optic techniques have been applied to study specific features of the anisotropic interaction between a dye-doped eutectic mixture of nematic liquid crystals p-methoxybenzylidene-p-n-butylaniline and p-ethoxybenzylidene-p-n-butylaniline and a polar surface of a ferroelectric triglycine sulphate crystal over the temperature range including the substrate Curie point T _c. It has been found that the temperature-induced structural changes in the nematic layer in the vicinity of T _c are related to the changes in the orientational part of the tensor order parameter Q_ik . The temperature dependence of the director angle θ¯, averaged over the nematic layer, has been obtained from the effective dichroism values of solute absorption. The experimental data were interpreted using the model, in which the anisotropic part of the surface energy has two terms with orthogonal easy axes.     

Dielectric studies of liquid crystals under high pressure II. Low frequency relaxation process in 4-n-pentyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl in relation to theories of the nematic state

The results of high pressure dielectric studies of 4-n-pentyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl (5CB) are analysed in terms of theories of the nematic state. The retardation factor g∥ = τ∥/τ₀ and the effective, single-particle potential of mean torque were calculated at the nematic-isotropic transition temperature T_NI and along the isothermal, isobaric and isochoric paths within the nematic phase of 5CB. The potential of mean torque is compared with the order parameter known for the same conditions. The values of parameter γ relating the potential to the volume is discussed.     

Polyesters containing bicyclo[2.2.2]octane and bicyclo[3.2.2]nonane rings

Polyesters containing bicyclo[2.2.2]octane and bicyclo[3.2.2]nonane rings are prepared from 1,4-bis(carboethoxy)bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)bicyclo[2.2.2]-octane and the 1,5-disubstituted bicyclo[3.2.2]nonane analogs. These polyesters are compared to the related polymers containing 1,4-phenylene and trans-1,4-cyclohexylene rings in terms of their melting point, thermal stabilities and oxidative stabilities. The lower symmetry of the bicyclo[3.2.2]nonane ring produces lower-melting polymers than the other ring systems. The remaining three rings are approximately equivalent in their effect on the melting point of a polymer provided that no more than one bicyclo[2.2.2]octane ring is present per polymer repeat unit. Two such rings produce a highermelting polymer than any other combination. Both the thermal and oxidative stabilities of the polyesters is improved by the presence of the bicyclo rings. This is attributed to the rings providing an approximation of a ladder polymer.     

Polar effects and structural variation in 4-substituted 1-phenylbicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives: a quantum chemical study

The transmission of polar effects through the bicyclo[2.2.2]octane framework has been investigated by ascertaining how the geometry of a phenyl group at a bridgehead position is affected by a variable substituent at the opposite bridgehead position. We have determined the molecular structure of several Ph-C(CH(2)-CH(2))(3)C-X molecules (where X is a charged or dipolar substituent) from HF/6-31G and B3LYP/6-311++G molecular orbital calculations and have progressively replaced each of the three -CH(2)-CH(2)- bridges by a pair of hydrogen atoms. Thus the bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives were changed first into cyclohexane derivatives in the boat conformation, then into n-butane derivatives in the anti-syn-anti conformation, and eventually into assemblies of two molecules, Ph-CH(3) and CH(3)-X, appropriately oriented and kept at a fixed distance. For each variable substituent the deformation of the benzene ring relative to X = H remains substantially the same even when the substituent and the phenyl group are no longer connected by covalent bonds. This provides unequivocal evidence that long-range polar effects in bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives are actually field effects, being transmitted through space rather than through bonds. Varying the substituent X in a series of Ph-C(CH(2)-CH(2))(3)C-X molecules gives rise to geometrical variation (relative to X = H) not only in the benzene ring but also in the bicyclo[2.2.2]octane cage. The two deformations are poorly correlated. The rather small deformation of the benzene ring correlates well with traditional measures of long-range polar effects in bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives, such as sigma(F) or sigma(I) values. The much larger deformation of the bicyclo[2.2.2]octane cage is controlled primarily by the electronegativity of X, similar to deformation of the benzene ring in Ph-X molecules. Thus the field and electronegativity effects of the substituent are well separated and can be studied simultaneously, as they act on different parts of the molecular skeleton.     

A comparison of mesogenic properties of p-carborane-1,12-dicarbaldehyde schiff's bases with their terephthaldehyde analogues

A homologous series of carborane-containing Schiff's bases 1A[n] (n = 1-10) was prepared and compared with the analogous series 1B[n] derived from terephthaldehyde. An exponential fit of the T _NI values for both series yielded a quantitative assessment of the effect of ring structure on mesophase stability. This includes the T _NI value for n→∞ (86°C for 1A[n] and 209°C for 1B[n]) and steepness of descent (0.135 for 1A[n] and 0.095 for 1B[n]). The difference in behaviour of the two series was attributed, largely, to conformational properties of the central rings A and B. Electronic interactions between the central rings and the π-substituents were investigated by UV spectroscopy and by quantum-mechanical calculations. The effect of replacement of O with CH₂ in the terminal chain of 1[n] on the namatic phase stability was assessed for n = 5-7.     

Novel glassy nematic and chiral nematic oligomers derived from 1,3,5-cyclohexanetricarboxylic and (1R,3S)-( )-camphoric acids

Novel nematic and chiral nematic liquid crystals capable of vitrification have been synthesized using 1,3,5-cyclohexanetricarboxylic and (1R,3S)-(+)-camphoric acids as the base structures to which cyanotolan, cyanobiphenyl, methoxybiphenylbenzoate nematogenic groups, (S)-(-)-1-phenylethylamine and (S)-(+)-1,3-butanediol chiral moieties are attached. Once the glassy state is induced by quenching or controlled cooling from the isotropic state, these liquid crystals showed no detectable tendency towards crystallization upon heating through the glass transition temperature. In all cases, the ΔC_p and ΔH_c values resulting from the DSC heating scans are comparable to those previously reported for polymer analogues and other low molar mass glassy liquid crystals. In the nematic series with varying spacer lengths, both T_g and T_c are consistently lower than the linear polymer counterparts, in contrast to the siloxane-based systems. It was also demonstrated that cholesteric mesomorphism can be induced following one of the three approaches: chiral nematic mixture, chiral nematic cyclic cooligomer, and pendant nematogenic groups attached to a chiral ring.     

The influence of lateral substituents on the phase behaviour of nematogenic liquid crystals

The influence of lateral substituents or side chains attached to thermotropic nematogens is considered on the basis of the Flory lattice model. The rigid core of the nematogen is characterized by its axial ratio x and the characteristic temperature T* which measures the strength of the anisotropic dispersion forces operative between the cores. For the side chain an additional parameter zm which is proportional to its hard core volume enters the partition function. Given these quantities and the free volume as obtained from the thermal expansion coefficient, the nematic-isotropic transition temperature T_NI and the temperature dependence of the order parameter may be calculated. The results show that the lowering of T_NI by lateral substituents is caused by (1) their interference with molecules packing and (2) the dilution of the anisotropic dispersion forces between the central nematogenic cores. As an additional consequence of this the order parameter is lowered considerably. A survey of recent experimental data shows that the decrease of T_NI is correlated solely with the hard core volume of the substituent regardless of its chemical structure or polarity, thus corroborating the theoretical predictions.     

Stable Liquid Crystals with Large Negative Dielectric Anisotropy. Part IV

Stable liquid crystals with negative dielectric anisotropy containing the bicyclo [2.2.2]octyl group were synthesized. The incorporation of this moiety in the molecules increased the thermodynamic stability of the mesophase and lowered the smectic tendency. These new compounds can be useful in liquid crystal mixtures for homeotropic nematic displays.     

Experimental and computational bridgehead C-H bond dissociation enthalpies

Bridgehead C-H bond dissociation enthalpies of 105.7 ± 2.0, 102.9 ± 1.7, and 102.4 ± 1.9 kcal mol(-1) for bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, and adamantane, respectively, were determined in the gas phase by making use of a thermodynamic cycle (i.e., BDE(R-H) = ΔH°(acid)(H-X) - IE(H(·)) + EA(X(·))). These results are in good accord with high-level G3 theory calculations, and the experimental values along with G3 predictions for bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane, bicyclo[2.1.1]hexane, bicyclo[3.1.1]heptane, and bicyclo[4.2.1]nonane were found to correlate with the flexibility of the ring system. Rare examples of alkyl anions in the gas phase are also provided.     

The synthesis and liquid crystal transition temperatures of some weakly polar nematic methyl (E)-[trans-4-substituted-cyclohexyl]-allyl ethers

We have introduced an oxygen atom and a carbon-carbon double bond with a trans-configuration (E) into the terminal alkyl chain of a wide variety of liquid crystalline cyclohexane derivatives to produce a variety of new methyl (E)-allyl ethers. The melting points and tendency to form smectic mesophases are often low, while nearly all of the compounds prepared exhibit a nematic phase. Thus, even two-ring derivatives can exhibit nematic phases over a wide temperature range (≤80°C), sometimes starting below room temperature (T_m≈10°C). Comparisons with the corresponding derivatives incorporating either just an oxygen atom or just a carbon-carbon double bond in the same position indicate that synergetic effects lead to broader nematic phases than would otherwise have been expected. Thus many of the new methyl (E)-allyl ethers exhibit nematic phases over a wider temperature range than the corresponding materials with an unsubstituted alkyl chain attached to the cyclohexyl ring. The new compounds are easily prepared from known starting materials. Many intermediates are themselves liquid crystalline. This allows investigation of the relationship between liquid crystal transition temperatures and the nature of the terminally substituted alkyl chain (for example, incorporating C=C, OH, CO₂C₂H₅ and OCH₃ groups).     

Elastic, dielectric and optical constants of 4'-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl

4'-n-Pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (5CB) is a room temperature nematic liquid crystal with a high positive dielectric anisotropy and a high chemical stability. Many experimental results concerning the elastic and dielectric constants of 5CB are available in the literature, although there is often no satisfactory agreement between the experimental data obtained by different groups, especially as far as the dielectric constants are concerned. Furthermore, no detailed investigation of the temperature dependence of the elastic and dielectric constants close to the nematic-isotropic transition temperature T_NI has yet been reported. In this paper, we report the measurement of the elastic and dielectric constants of 5CB, and the temperature behaviour close to T_NI has been investigated in detail. The experiment consists in the measurement of the director deformation induced by an electric field using simultaneously both a dielectric and an optical method. The simultaneous use of these two methods provides an indirect check on the reliability of the measurements. Special attention has been devoted to control possible sources of uncertainty. In particular, the effects of finite anchoring energy and of finite pretilt angle have been considered. The temperature dependence of the anisotropy of the refractive indices is also obtained in the experiment.     

Novel bicyclo[2.2.2]octanyl-1,4-benzodiazepinones. Their syntheses and rearrangement to bicyclooct-2-enylbenzimidazoles

The synthesis of the novel bicyclo[2.2.2]octanyl[1,4]benzodiazepinone ring system (IV) and its facile acid catalysed rearrangement to the corresponding bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-enylbenzirnid-azole system (IX) is described.     

Malbrancheamide B, a novel compound from the fungus Malbranchea aurantiaca

A new indole alkaloid, namely malbrancheamide B (2), was isolated from the culture medium and mycelia of the ascomycete Malbranchea aurantiaca along with malbrancheamide (1). Structural elucidation of 2 was carried out by a combination of mass spectrometry (MS) and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy analyses, as well as by comparison of the NMR data with those of 1. According to the conformational studies using molecular mechanics analyses, compound 2 exists in one preferred conformation, which was optimised by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Compound 2 is the second chlorinated indole alkaloid possessing a bicyclo [2.2.2] ring with an unusual relative configuration at C12a in the bicyclo [2.2.2] diazaoctane ring system. So far, these structural features seem to be unique for the alkaloids biosynthesised by the fungus M. aurantiaca.     

New 6,6'-disubstituted-binaphthol derivatives as chiral dopants: Synthesis and temperature dependence of molecular conformations

A number of new chiral binaphthol (BN) derivatives with different substituents R,R' in the 6,6'-positions in open (BN-diethylethers) and bridged forms (BN-acetals) have been synthesized. The syntheses of the chiral 6,6'-disubstituted-2,2'-diethoxy-1,1'-binaphthyls (R,R' = -CH'CHCHO, -CH'CH-(p-BrPh), -CH'CH-(p-CHOPh)) and the chiral 9,14-disubstituted-dinaphtho [2,1-d:1',2'-f][1,3] dioxepins with R,R' = -CH'CH-(p-BrPh), -CH'CH-(p-CHOPh) are reported for the first time. The possible liquid crystalline properties and molar twisting powers (β_M) in three different nematic liquid crystals (LCs) of the BN derivatives were investigated. Derivatives with spatially extended substituents in the 6,6'-positions (e.g. styryl or vinyl) show unusually high molar twisting power (up to 124.5μm^-1). A direct correlation between the magnitude of β_M and the length of the substituents was found. Bridged forms, in which the dihedral angle θ between the naphthyl moieties is ≊ 54°, show higher twisting power than the corresponding open forms, where θ is allowed to vary around 90° resulting in an equilibrium between transoid and cisoid forms. From the different temperature dependencies of β_M of the open and bridged BN_s, a molecular model was developed relating the molecular conformation and twisting power. Although no mesophase was found in any of the compounds synthesized, they can be considered as important precursors for the synthesis of potential chiral BN-containing LCs.