Design and synthesis of 2(5H)-furanone liquid-crystal compounds based on natural molecules and biphenyl derivatives

Starting from natural molecules, for example l-menthol and amino acids, a series of 2(5H)-furanone liquid-crystal compounds were designed, and synthesized by esterification of N-[5-menthoxy-2(5H)-furanonyl] amino acids with biphenyl-4-ol or biphenyl-4,4′-diol in the presence of dehydrating agents. The structures of all the novel compounds were confirmed by FTIR, ¹H NMR, and mass spectroscopy, and by elemental analysis. The liquid-crystal properties of the target compounds were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and polarization optical microscopy (POM). The DSC and XRD results showed that some compounds containing short alkyl chains or with the phenyl far from the amino in the amino acid unit formed a mesomorphic phase. Products obtained from biphenyl-4,4′-diol were more likely to form a mesomorphic phase. However, POM revealed no optical texture. These investigations provide, for the first time, a basis for application of 2(5H)-furanones in liquid crystals by combination of different functional units, including biphenyl, l-menthol, and amino acids.     

New mesogenic compounds possessing a biphenyl ester and ether moiety comprising 1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid: synthesis,characterisation and mesomorphic studies

New substituted derivatives of 5-vinyl-1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid were synthesised and evaluated for liquid crystal properties. Two sets of molecules were prepared. One end of all the molecules possesses the 1,3-dimethylbarbituric core. The first set comprises biphenyl ethers, 4a–n and the second set biphenyl esters, 5a–g. Liquid crystalline properties were investigated by POM and DSC techniques. All the compounds exhibited enantiotropic smectic A and nematic mesophases. The LC properties were found to depend on the spacer and terminal alkoxy- chain and alkoxy- ester moiety of the molecules. Smaller alkyl chain members showed a smectic phase, while higher alkyl chain members showed a nematic phase.     

Synthesis of a main-chain liquid crystalline azo-polymer via “click” chemistry

A main-chain liquid crystalline azo-polymer (BPHCHA) was prepared through the copper-catalyzed “click” reaction between the alkyne group on 4,4′-bis((6-(propargyloxy)hexyl)oxy) biphenyl (BPH) and the azide group on 4-(6-azidohexyloxy)carbonyl-4′-(6′-azidohexyloxy) azobenzene (AHCHA). The “click” reaction was confirmed by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, and GPC studies. The phase transition behavior of BPH, AHCHA, and the resulting azo-polymer BPHCHA was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). AHCHA and BPHCHA exhibited mesomorphic behavior, while BPH is a crystalline compound. A liquid crystalline phase from 39 to 69 °C for AHCHA upon heating was observed under POM. Schlieren texture was observed at 130 °C for BPHCHA on cooling from 150 °C and annealed at 130 °C for 15 min. Moreover, DSC and POM studies showed that BPHCHA exhibited monotropic mesomorphic behavior.     

Synthesis and characterization of new mesogenic esters derived from 1,2,4-oxadiazole and study the effect of alkoxy chain length in their liquid crystalline properties

In this study, a new series of non-symmetrically 3,5-disubstituted of 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives, 4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl]-phenyl-4-alkoxybenzoate (G₁–G₁₁), which containing ether and ester linkages in the same molecule, is synthesized using different synthetic procedures and their structures are confirmed by several spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance). The mesomorphic properties of these compounds are studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM); all these derivatives exhibited as mesogens and displayed an enantiotropic liquid crystal with nematic texture, the nematogenic phase of these materials was appeared in wide temperature ranges on heating and cooling cycles that were observed by POM and DSC. The influence of 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring and the elongation of alkyl chain in the mesomorphic properties of this series were investigated. The mesogenic behaviour of this series was compared with the compounds possessing a somewhat similar structure.     

Synthesis,characterisation and liquid crystalline properties of some Schiff base and cinnamate central linkages involving 1,3,5-trisubstituted pyrazolone ring system and their Cu(II) complexes

Two new mesogenic homologous series, each containing 1,3,5-trisubstituted pyrazolone derivatives, 4-n-alkoxyphenyl and Schiff base–cinnamate central linkages, have been synthesised to give 4-[(5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) methyleneamino] phenyl 3-(4-n-alkoxyphenyl)acrylate [Series-A] and 4-[(5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-p-tolyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyleneamino] phenyl 3-(4-n-alkoxyphenyl)acrylate [Series-B] and their Cu(II) complexes have also been synthesised. These compounds were characterised by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), carbon-13 NMR (¹³C NMR) and ultraviolet (UV)-visible and mass spectral studies. Their mesomorphic behaviour was studied by polarising optical microscope (POM) with a heating stage. POM data were compared with differential scanning calorimetry thermograms. In Series-A and -B, all compounds exhibit mesomorphism. Series-A compounds exhibit an enantiotropic nematic mesophase except propyl derivative, while a smectic A (SmA) mesophase is observed from the heptyl derivative and persists up to the last member of the homologous series. n-Heptyloxy derivative is monotropic for SmA phase. Series-B compounds also exhibit the enantiotropic nematic mesophase, while the SmA mesophase is observed from the heptyl derivative and persists up to the last member of the homologous series. n-Dodecyloxy derivative exhibits monotropic SmA and nematic mesophases. The mesomorphic properties of both series are compared with each other and the other structurally related compounds. The study reveals that cinnamate linkage containing liquid crystals have higher thermal stability compared to structurally related series containing chalcone linkage. In case of complex series, only one compound from each series gives nematic mesophase.     

Synthesis and crosslinking of vinyl‐terminated biphenyl and naphthalene liquid‐crystalline poly(epichlorohydrin) derivatives: Effect of nonmesogenic nonvinylic units on the mesogenic properties

Two series of vinyl‐terminated side‐chain liquid‐crystalline polyethers containing ethylene oxide or glycidyl aromatic carboxylates as spacers were synthesized. The mesogenic cores were 4,4′‐biphenyl or 2,6‐naphthalene moieties. The polymers were synthesized by chemically modifying poly(epichlorohydrin) or poly(epichlorohydrin)‐poly(ethylene oxide) with the corresponding mesogenic carboxylic acids or with mixtures of these acids and the nonmesogenic non‐crosslinkable analogous 4‐biphenyl‐ and 2‐naphthalenecarboxylic acids. In most cases the degree of modification achieved was higher than 90%. The polymers were characterized by chlorine analysis, IR, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies; viscosimetry; size exclusion chromatography; multi‐angle laser light scattering; and thermogravimetric analysis. The liquid‐crystal behavior, shown by most polymers, was examined by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy (POM), and X‐ray diffraction on mechanically oriented samples. The crosslinking of most polymers was done by peroxide‐type initiators that led to liquid‐crystal thermosets or elastomers. The freezing of the mesophase organization on the crosslinked materials was confirmed by POM and X‐ray diffraction. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3893–3908, 2002     

Novel room-temperature perylene liquid crystals: synthesis of 1,7-dibrominated cholesterol–perylene bisimides with different ester-bridging chains and their mesomorphic properties

Three novel 1,7-dibrominated cholesterol–perylene liquid crystals 6a, 6b and 6c with different ester-bridging chains were designed and synthesised in yields of 30–40%. Their structures were characterised by FT-IR, ¹H NMR and HR-MS spectra. Their mesomorphic behaviours were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarising optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Compounds 6a, 6b and 6c exhibit hexagonal columnar liquid crystalline phase at room temperature. Their mesomorphic temperature ranges are as wide as 140–162°C. Their fluorescence spectra suggested that they possess good fluorescence properties in solution. The soft ester-bridging chains are more favourable for room-temperature mesophase and high fluorescence than the rigid ester-bridging chain.     

Synthesis and characterization of new ferroelectric liquid crystals containing a phenyl biphenyl carboxylate mesogenic group and oligooxyethylene spacers

Two series of ferroelectric liquid crystals containing a phenyl biphenyl carboxylate mesogenic group and oligooxyethylene spacers were synthesized. The mesomorphic behaviours of the compounds were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical polarizing microscopy (POM) and powder X-ray diffraction measurements. These series all contain a smectic A (S_A), a chiral smectic C (S_C) and a crystal E (C_r E) phase sequence. The ordered smectic Cr E phase was observed for the short spacer chain (n = 0, 1, 2) homologues of the two series. Moreover, the mesomorphic properties are discussed as a function of the oligooxyethylene spacer length, and the position of the aromatic core rings. These results indicate that the structures with a rigid part (biphenyl group) closer to the flexible spacer chain (oxyethylene unit) tend to form the symmetrical smectic S_A and Cr E phases.     

Synthesis,characterisation, mesomorphic investigation and temperature-dependent Raman study of a novel calamitic liquid crystal: methyl 4-(4′-n-alkoxybenzylideneamino)benzoate

A new series of Schiff base calamitic liquid crystal; methyl 4-(4′-n-alkoxybenzylideneamino)benzoate (MABAB), H_2n+1C _n OC₆H₄C(H)=NC₆H₄COOCH₃ (n = 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16) has been synthesised and characterised by elemental analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ¹H and ¹³C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The mesomorphic properties of these compounds were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarising optical microscopy (POM). All members of the series exhibit enantiotropic smectic A (SmA) mesophase. Temperature-dependent micro-Raman study of one of the members, MABAB-10 has been employed to identify phase transitions and the molecular rearrangement therein. Analysis of Raman marker bands; C–H in-plane bending, C–C stretching of phenyl rings and –C(H)=N– linking group of core confirms the transitions clearly as observed through DSC and POM. An in situ Raman measurement of C–H in-plane bending mode has also been performed to visualise the molecular changes more clearly. The Raman study gives an evidence of induced co-planarity of rings at Cr→SmA phase transition. The density functional theoretical (DFT) optimisation of monomer, dimer and rotational conformer of MABAB-10 also support the induced co-planarity at Cr→SmA phase transition.     

Synthesis and properties of liquid crystal monomers containing a reactive group in the lateral substituent

A series of nematic liquid crystal (LC) monomers containing a reactive group (double bonds) in the lateral substituent was designed and synthesised. Length of the lateral substituted groups that have one double bond varied from 1 to 4 methylene units. Length of the terminal substituted groups varied from 2 to 5 methylene units. The molecular structures of the intermediates and the LC monomers were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), elemental analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The thermal phase behaviour of the monomers was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarised optical microscopy (POM) coupled with hot stage. Some molecules (V₁₅, V₂₅) with high aspect ratio exhibit enantiotropic nematic mesophase. The other compounds (V₁₂, V₂₂, V₄₂, V₄₃) show monotropic nematic mesophase during cooling. The relationship between the structure and mesomorphic property is also discussed.     

Synthesis of N-[5-alkoxy-2(5H)-furanonyl] amino acid propargyl esters

Using K₂CO₃ as a base and CH₃CN as solvent, different kinds of N-[5-alkoxy-2(5H)-furanonyl] amino acids were reacted with propargyl bromide via substitution reaction at 40?°C to give 16 N-[5-alkoxy-2(5H)-furanonyl] amino acid propargyl esters with the yields of 44?C85% (mostly over 74%). The structures of all newly synthesized compounds were elucidated and confirmed by FTIR, UV, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. The rapid, efficient, and brief synthesis of the series propargyl esters with multiple bioactive units, will afford not only a basis for the activity test of potential drug molecules, but also an important synthetic strategy for 2(5H)-furanone derivatives with polyfunctional groups.     

Side-chain cholesteric liquid crystalline elastomers derived from a mesogenic crosslinking agent: I. Synthesis and mesomorphic properties

The synthesis of new side-chain cholesteric elastomers derived from a cholesteric monomer and mesogenic crosslinking agent is presented. The chemical structures of the monomers obtained were confirmed by elemental analyses, FT-IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR. The mesomorphic properties and thermal stability were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. M₁ showed cholesteric phase, and M₂ displayed enantiotropic nematic phase and monotropic smectic phase. The elastomers containing less than 12 mol% of the crosslinking units revealed reversible mesomorphic phase transition, wide mesophase temperature ranges, and high thermal stability.     

New polycatenar Schiff bases derived from 1,3,4-thiadiazole: synthesis,mesomorphism and luminescence behaviour

Two new series of columnar liquid crystal materials based on tetra- and hexacatenar Schiff bases were synthesised by reaction of 4-aminophenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives with terephthalaldehyde (series 2a–f) and with 2,5-thiophenedicarbaldehyde (series 3a–f). The mesomorphic properties of these compounds were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarised optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mesomorphic behaviour was found to be dependent on the nature of the central ring (benzene in series 2a–f, thiophene in series 3a–f), on length and on number of alkoxy chains. Both tetra- and hexacatenar compounds in series 2a–f display an enantiotropic hexagonal columnar phase. Whereas, in the case of the series 3, only the tetracatenar Schiff bases (3a, 3c and 3e) display enantiotropic hexagonal columnar mesomorphism, hexacatenar Schiff bases (3b, 3d and 3f) do not show mesomorphic properties. Photophysical studies were realised in solution and in solid state. Also, a thermogravimetric analysis was performed. A fibre obtained from compound 3b was analysed by POM showing that the mesophase is maintained in the fibre.     

Synthesis of disk-rod-disk liquid crystal trimers by using click chemistry

A series of disk-rod-disk liquid crystal trimers were synthesized.CuI-NEt3 catalyzed alkyne azide cycloaddition in toluene at room temperature connected two triphenylene discogens to a biphenyl rod-shaped mesogen.The trimers were characterized by using 1H NMR,IR,and high resolution mass spectrometry.The mesomorphic properties were investigated using polarized optical microscopy(POM) ,differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) ,and wide-angle X-ray diffraction.The results showed that the trimers exhibited rectan...     

Synthesis and crosslinking of biphenyl and naphthalene liquid‐crystalline polyethers with pendant full‐saturated and vinyl‐terminated aliphatic chains

Two series of vinyl‐terminated, side‐chain liquid‐crystalline polyethers containing 4,4′‐biphenyl and 2,6‐naphthalene moieties as mesogenic cores with several contents of vinyl crosslinkable groups were synthesized by chemically modifying poly(epichlorohydrin) with mixtures of saturated and vinyl‐terminated mesogenic acids. In most cases the degree of modification was over 90%. The polymers were characterized by chlorine analysis, IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, viscometry, size exclusion chromatography/multi‐angle laser light scattering, and thermogravimetric analysis. The liquid‐crystal behavior of all the synthesized polymers was examined by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy (POM), and X‐ray diffraction on mechanically oriented samples. The crosslinking of most polymers was done by peroxide‐type initiators, which generally led to liquid‐crystal elastomers. The mesophase organization was maintained on the crosslinked materials, as confirmed by POM and X‐ray diffraction. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3384–3399, 2003     

Synthesis and characterisation of photochromic dithienylcyclopentene liquid crystal with thermal irreversibility

A series of photochromic liquid crystal dithienylcyclopentene derivatives were synthesised from the initial material 2-chloro-5-methylthiophene. They were characterised by ¹H NMR, high resolution mass spectrometer, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarised optical microscopy (POM) with a hot stage. All of them exhibited excellent photochemically reversible isomerisation between the open-ring form and the closed-ring form in both organic solvents and LC media, resulting in the colour change between colourless and purple under different light irradiations. The typical textures from POM showed that their isomers both had nematic phase and smectic phase with different colours. These compounds with bent shape were more sensitive to light than those of diarylethenes reported.     

点击化学合成盘-棒-盘状液晶三聚体

本文设计并合成了一系列盘-棒-盘状液晶三聚体.此类三聚体由两个相同的苯并菲盘状介晶基元和一个联苯棒状介晶基元通过CuI-NEt3体系催化端基炔和端基叠氮化合物的点击反应连接形成.该三聚体结构通过核磁、红外和高分辨质谱表征;介晶性通过偏光显微镜(POM)、差示扫描量热法(DSC)和X射线衍射(XRD)进行了研究.结果显示:此类液晶三聚体均为室温液晶,呈现四方柱状相(Colr).连接3个介晶基元的柔性间隔基的长度对化合物的相转变温度具有明显影响.     

含胆固醇和 4-(反式-正烷基环己基)苯甲酸结构单元的双液晶基元液晶化合物的合成及其性质

本文合成了一系列含有胆固醇和4-（反式-正烷基环己基）苯甲酸结构单元的新型双液晶基元液晶化合物。这些化合物中两个介晶基元是利用不同长度的氧烷酰基连接在一起。利用FT-IR、MS、1H NMR、POM、DSC 表证了所得化合物的结构和介晶性,并选择几种双液晶基元液晶测定了它们的机械黏度和在主体液晶中的螺旋扭曲力（HTP)。结果表明,绝大多数化合物显示较低相变温度的胆甾相（N*）,并且被选择的化合物的平均机械黏度和螺旋扭曲力类似于或优于胆甾醇任酸酯。     

Synthesis and structure of lateral halogenated V-shaped liquid crystal molecules based on a 1,7-naphthalene central core and alkylthio tails

A series of small angle bent-core (V-shaped) mesogens carrying 1,7-naphthalene as a central core linked with lateral halogenated (chlorinated or fluorinated) Schiff-base side wings and alkylthio terminal tails of variable carbon number (n = 12, 16) was synthesised in order to reduce the transition temperature and improve the phase stability of bent-core liquid crystal molecules. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarising optical microscopy (POM), small-angle X-ray scattering system (SAXS) and two-dimensional X-ray diffractometer were applied to ascertain the mesomorphic structure and phase transition temperatures of the compounds. The results confirm that all the molecules show thermotropic liquid crystalline behaviour and exhibit hexagonal columnar phase (Col_h) in a certain temperature range. Compared with the homologous compounds without lateral halogen, the cleaning point temperature of lateral halogenated V-shaped compounds generally decrease and the Col_h phase ranges are more extensive. The influence of lateral chlorine on the cleaning point temperature is more obvious, as well as the effect of lateral fluorine on the range of Col_h phase.     

Synthesis of 2(5H)‐Furanone Derivatives with Bis‐1,2,3‐triazole Structure

A series of new chiral 2(5H)‐furanone derivatives containing bis‐1,2,3‐triazole moiety were designed and synthesized from (5S)‐5‐alkoxy‐3,4‐dihalo‐2(5H)‐furanones 1 , dicarboxyl amino acids 2 , propargyl bromide, and organic azides 5 under mild conditions via the sequential three steps, including asymmetric Michael addition‐elimination, substitution and no‐ligand click reaction. Twelve new intermediates, including N‐[5‐alkoxy‐2(5H)‐furanonyl] dicarboxyl amino acids 3 and their corresponding propargyl esters 4 , and twelve target molecules 6 were characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS and elemental analysis. The influences of different synthetic conditions and substrates in each step were investigated. The research provides a new method and idea for the synthesis of 2(5H)‐furanone compounds with polyheterocyclic structure due to the diversities of four basic unit molecules.