Molecular flexibility dependence mesomorphism

A novel series of chalconyl homologue derivatives with RO.C₆H₄.COO.C₆H₄.CO.CH:CH-C₆H₄.N.(CH₃)₂ (Para) have been synthesized and thermotropically studied with a view to understanding and establishing the effect of molecular structure on mesomorphic behavior of the novel homologues. The series consists of thirteen homologues (C₁ to C₁₈). C₇ to C₁₈ homologues are smectogenic, C₄ to C₁₈ nematogenic and C₁ to C₃ nonmesomorphic. Thus, novel chalconyl series is predominantly nematogenic and partly smectogenic. Transition temperatures and textures of mesophases were determined using an polarizing optical microscope (POM) equipped with a heating stage. Analytical and spectral data confirmed molecular structures of homologues. Phase transition curves showing phase behavior in a phase diagram behaved in normal manner. Thermal stability for smectic and nematic are relatively low at 59.6 °C and 76.6 °C respectively whose, smectogenic and nematogenic phase length vary from 12 to 16 °C and 06 to 20 °C, respectively. Mesomorphic behaviors of the present series are compared with a structurally similar known homologous series.