Functional Carbazole Liquid‐Crystal Block Codendrimers with Optical and Electronic Properties

The synthesis and characterisation of a family of block codendrimers consisting of highly versatile mesogenic and carbazole‐containing 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (bis‐MPA) dendrons are reported. The liquid‐crystal behaviour was investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry, polarised‐light optical microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Depending on the chemical structure of the constituent dendrons, the codendrimers show lamellar or columnar mesophases. On the basis of the experimental results, models both at the molecular level and in the mesophase are proposed. The physical properties of the block codendrimers derived from the presence of the carbazole moiety in their structure were investigated: photoluminescence in solution and in the mesophase, electrochemical behaviour and hole transport. Electrodeposition of carbazole dendrons afforded a globular supramolecular conformation in which the mesogenic molecular side plays a key role.     

Cubic Mesophase in an Unsymmetrical Alkyl Ammonium Salt. Synthesis and Structural Model

N,N,N‐butylethylpentylpropylammonium iodide 4 and related molecules have been selectively synthesised from commercially available aldehydes, amines and alkyl iodides using a reductive alkylation procedure. The crystalline texture of 4 obtained on cooling is optically isotropic between crossed polarisers, indicating a cubic structure. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC, +10 K min^?1) reveals a glass phase transition at ?59 °C and a melting point at 192 °C. The melting entropy (23.9 J mol^?1 K^?1) indicates a first‐order transition between a highly disordered mesophase and the isotropic liquid. Powder X‐ray diffraction patterns were indexed in the cubic system (a=14.08Å; Pm n space group). In this cell, the molecular packing with Z=6 corresponds to a rather low compactness of 65 %. Iodine and tetraalkylammonium ions occupy positions with a m2 site symmetry. These highly symmetrical states may be generated by stepwise rotation of the ammonium cation. The same structural model for orientationally disordered crystal (ODIC) phases can be applied to a series of tetraalkylammonium bromides and iodides.     

Indene and pseudoazulene discotic liquid crystals: a synthetic and structural study

Several new liquid-crystalline indene and pseudoazulene systems are reported. These molecules give rise to either columnar hexagonal mesophases and/or columnar plastic phases. The unique nature of these compounds stems from their non-classical discotic structure. Although the molecules have rigid aromatic cores, they lack terminal tails and instead the polarizable atoms (S, halogens) or polar groups (CN, CO) act as unusual soft parts. On the basis of many structurally related materials, we conclude that for this type of compound molecular stacking in the solid state is a prerequisite for the appearance of a columnar mesophase, although other intermolecular interactions within the layers are also important in establishing liquid-crystalline order. The behavior reported for these mesomorphic molecules opens up new possibilities in the search for related molecular interactions that might be useful for the construction of supramolecular architectures with particular properties.     

Thermotropic Liquid Crystals Based on Extended 2,5‐Disubstituted‐1,3,4‐Oxadiazoles: Structure–Property Relationships,Variable‐Temperature Powder X‐ray Diffraction,and Small‐Angle X‐ray Scattering Studies

A class of extended 2,5‐disubstituted‐1,3,4‐oxadiazoles R¹‐C₆H₄‐{OC₂N₂}‐C₆H₄‐R² (R¹=R²=C₁₀H₂₁O 1 a , p‐C₁₀H₂₁O‐C₆H₄‐C?C 3 a , p‐CH₃O‐C₆H₄‐C?C 3 b ; R¹=C₁₀H₂₁O, R²=CH₃O 1 b , (CH₃)₂N 1 c ; F 1 d ; R¹=C₁₀H₂₁O‐C₆H₄‐C?C, R²=C₁₀H₂₁O 2 a , CH₃O 2 b , (CH₃)₂N 2 c , F 2 d ) were prepared, and their liquid‐crystalline properties were examined. In CH₂Cl₂ solution, these compounds displayed a room‐temperature emission with λ_max at 340–471 nm and quantum yields of 0.73–0.97. Compounds 1 d , 2 a – 2 d , and 3 a exhibited various thermotropic mesophases (monotropic, enantiotropic nematic/smectic), which were examined by polarized‐light optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Structure determination by a direct‐space approach using simulated annealing or parallel tempering of the powder X‐ray diffraction data revealed distinctive crystal‐packing arrangements for mesogenic molecules 2 b and 3 a , leading to different nematic mesophase behavior, with 2 b being monotropic and 3 a enantiotropic in the narrow temperature range of 200–210 °C. The structural transitions associated with these crystalline solids and their mesophases were studied by variable‐temperature X‐ray diffractometry. Nondestructive phase transitions (crystal‐to‐crystal, crystal‐to‐mesophase, mesophase‐to‐liquid) were observed in the diffractograms of 1 b, 1 d , 2 b, 2 d , and 3 a measured at 25–200 °C. Powder X‐ray diffraction and small‐angle X‐ray scattering data revealed that the structure of the annealed solid residue 2 b reverted to its original crystal/molecular packing when the isotropic liquid was cooled to room temperature. Structure–property relationships within these mesomorphic solids are discussed in the context of their molecular structures and intermolecular interactions.     

The catanionic system dodecyltrimethylammonium hydroxide–n-dodecanephosphonic acid–water. Triangular phase diagram

 The triangular phase diagram of the system dodecyltri-methylammonium hydroxide (DTAOH)–dodecanephosphonic acid (H₂DP)–water was studied by several techniques. The DTAOH-rich zone could not be studied because DTAOH decomposed when it was dried. Pure H₂DP only forms lamellar mesophases with water. The inclusion of DTAOH in the system produces the appearance of cubic and hexagonal mesophases. The gradual increase in DTAOH proportion lead to the gradual reduction in the existence of the lamellar mesophase domain, and increase of the hexagonal liquid crystal domain. At high DTAOH content, the lamellar mesophase disappeared. This behavior was explained by the gradual destruction of the hydrogen-bonded structure in the polar headgroup layer of liquid crystal aggregates. H₂DP-rich anhydrous crystals were triclinic. Received: 8 September 1997 Accepted: 17 February 1998     

Membership

Abstract

Stanford Resources Inc., the leading market research firm specializing in the global electronic display industry, has released its annual study on the flat panel display (FPD) industry - Flat lnformation Displays. Now in its eighth edition, this industry perspective analyses competing FPD technologies in terms of technological development, sales, suppliers and future prospects.     

Synthesis and mesomorphism of ionic self-assembled complexes of anthraquinones

Anthraquinones are known to exhibit mesomorphism upon appropriate substitutions. In this report, the concept of ionic self-assembly has been applied to design and synthesise new anthraquinone-based liquid crystals. Four different anthraquinones were used as polyelectrolytes which form ionic complexes with double-tail ammonium surfactants. The chemical structures were characterised by spectral techniques and elemental analysis. The thermal behaviour of the complexes was investigated by polarising optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction studies. All these complexes display lamellar mesomorphism. The amphotropic nature of the complexes has also been studied.     

Morphological reorganization and mechanical enhancement in multilayered polyethylene/polypropylene films by layer multiplication or mild annealing

Shortly after processing, Polyethylene/Polypropylene (PE/PP) multilayer films demonstrate an increase in tensile modulus and other mechanical properties when the individual layer thickness is below 0.5 µm. Subsequent annealing at 60 °C for 16 h brings the properties of all other samples to similar values. WAXD characterization of the layered films identified a prevalence of mesophase in the thicker PP layers. In samples with increased layer numerosity or subjected to annealing, WAXD detected its conversion to α crystalline phase that correlates with improved mechanical properties. SSNMR and DSC detailed the defective nature of α iPP crystallites. Comonomers, detected by NMR in the commercial polymers used for the films, are the source of “tunable disorder” that dictates the formation of the PP mesophase and the low temperature of conversion to the mechanically stronger defective α phase. Soft intrafilm layer interfaces instead enable nucleation and localized polymer chain rearrangement even without annealing. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018 , 56, 520–531     

Structure and dynamics of biological liquid crystals

A review of thermodynamic and flow liquid crystal models is presented and applied to a wide range of biological liquid crystals (BLCs), including helicoidal plywoods, biopolymer solutions and in vivo liquid crystals. The key characteristics of liquid crystals (self-assembly, packing, defects, functionalities, processability) are discussed in relation to biological materials and the strong correspondence between different synthetic and biological materials is discussed. Viscoelastic models for nematic and chiral nematics are reviewed and discussed in terms of key parameters that facilitate understanding and quantitative information from experimental measurements. The range and consistency of the predictions demonstrates that the use of mesoscopic liquid crystal models is an efficient tool to develop the science and biomimetic applications of mesogenic biological materials.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of chiral nematic liquid crystals based on cholesterol

A new series of mesogenic compounds having a cholesteryl moiety has been synthesised by condensing p-amino benzoate of cholesterol and methoxy substituted 4-n-alkoxy cinnamoyl chlorides and their liquid crystalline properties has been studied. All the members of the series are enantiotropic and exhibit chiral nematic (N*) mesophase. The plot of transition temperatures versus number of carbon atoms in the alkoxy chain exhibits odd–even effect and falling tendency for N*–isotropic transition temperatures. The compounds exhibit oily streak textures that on slight disturbance change to the plane textures and show iridescent colours. High anisotropy, linearity and intermolecular hydrogen bonding confer rich mesomorphic properties on the system. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding arising from amide linkage can lead to supramolecular motifs.