| Abstract: | A series of chiral smectic C phase shish‐kebab type liquid crystal polymers was synthesized by low‐temperature solution condensation polymerization from 2,5‐bis4‐((S)‐alkoxyl)benzoyloxy]hydroquinone and aliphatic diacylchloride. The monomers and their precursors were identified by using elemental analysis, infrared spectrum, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. The polymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, temperature‐variable X‐ray diffraction, polarimeter and polarizing microscope (POM) with a heating stage. All the polymers entered into liquid crystal phase when heated to above their melting temperature. The Schlieren texture and sanded texture were observed on POM. All the chiral compounds and polymers showed high optical activity. Temperature‐variable, X‐ray diffraction study together with the POM and polarimetric analysis revealed that the polymers synthesized are chiral smectic C phase. Thus, the present report provides examples of shish‐kebab type polymers that form a chiral smectic C phase. The change of the melting temperature and isotropization temperature with the variation in molecular structure was also discussed. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
