The effect of different arms on the properties of chiral branched-arm liquid crystals based on isosorbide as the chiral core

A new series of two-arm ( MA₁ , MA₂ ), four-arm ( MA₃ ) and six-arm ( MA₄ ) chiral liquid crystalline compounds containing isosorbide as the chiral core were synthesised. Four precursors of branched-arm A₁–A₄ were first obtained, and then were esterised separately with isosorbide to obtain four chiral branched-arm liquid crystals ( MA₁–MA₄ ). The structure and properties have been characterised. The results show that MA₁ was smectic–cholesteric phase with a fan-like and oily streak texture; MA₂–MA₄ showed a cholesteric phase with oily streak texture, or lined texture and finger print texture. Isosorbide successfully induced a cholesteric phase. The melting point and clearing point values for MA₁–MA₄ first increased and then decreased. The branched-arm and chiral core quantity affected the liquid crystalline properties. At the same time, the difference in side-arms resulted in different directions of rotation. MA₁–MA₂ showed right-handed rotation and had selective reflection; MA₃–MA₄ demonstrated left-handed rotation and did not have selective reflection.