Synthesis and properties of non-symmetric liquid crystal dimers containing a cholesteryl moiety

A series of non-symmetric liquid crystal dimers having cholesteryl and 4-trans-(4-n-alkylcyclohexyl)phenoxy groups were synthesized by condensation of cholesteryl ω-bromoalkanoates with appropriate 4-trans-(4-n-alkylcyclohexyl)phenols. The structures and thermal phase behaviour of the dimers were characterized using IR, ¹H NMR and mass spectroscopy, elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements. Their thermal phase behaviour is significantly different to that of other cholesterol-based liquid crystal dimers. All of these liquid crystal dimers exhibit low phase transition temperatures. The relationships between their properties and chemical structures of these new dimers are discussed.