The relationship between molecular structure and mesomorphic properties of 2,2'- and 3,2'-difluoroterphenyls synthesized by palladium-catalysed cross-couplings

Several homologues of two structurally different types of mesogenic difluoroterphenyls have been prepared. One set of compounds contains two inner-core fluoro-substituents and the other set possesses both an inner-core and an outer-core fluoro-substituent. The use of various types of palladium-catalysed cross-coupling reactions was invaluable in the synthesis (for example, selective couplings, and couplings to trifluoromethanesulphonate derivatives). Additionally, a novel selective lithiation is reported. The mesogenic materials are all low melting and the types of mesophase generated are considerably structure dependent. However, most of the materials support the tilted S_c phase which is required of ferroelectric host materials. The mesomorphic behaviour of these novel materials is discussed in terms of the molecular structure and the structure/property relationships are compared with those for difluoroterphenyls with different arrangements of lateral fluoro-substitution.     

The synthesis and transition temperatures of some trans-4-alkylcyclohexylethyl-substituted 2,3-difluorobiphenyls

Terphenyls with two lateral ortho-fluoro-substituents have proved to be excellent host materials for ferroelectric (S_C*) mixtures. The compounds reported here are biphenyls with the same arrangement of lateral substituents but with a trans-4-alkylcyclohexylethyl moiety as one of the terminal substituents. Such three ring systems retain the ability to generate the S_C mesophase and have low melting points. Low temperature lithiation procedures were used to prepare phenylboronic acids, which were then used in palladium catalysed cross-coupling procedures to prepare the desired compounds. The effect of molecular structure on the mesophase types and thermal stabilities is discussed and comparisons are made with analogous terphenyls and biphenyls with open chain terminal substituents.     

The synthesis and liquid crystal properties of some 4-n-nonylphenyl esters of 3-(4'-n-alkoxybiphenylyl)- and 3-(4'-n-alkoxybiphenylyl)-3-methyl-propanoic acids and their laterally fluorinated analogues

A number of 4-n-nonylphenyl esters and mono- and di-fluorinated 4-n-nonylphenyl esters derived from 3-(4'-n-alkoxybiphenylyl)propanoic acids (II) have been synthesized and their thermotropic liquid crystal properties assessed with a view to obtaining tilted smectic phases for possible use in ferroelectric display devices. Many of these compounds exhibit wide temperature range S_C and S_I/F phases, but none gave the ideal phase sequence S_C-S_A-N-I mainly because the structure of these compounds was not conducive to the formation of the nematic phase. To try to alleviate this problem a series of 4-n-nonylphenyl esters based on 3-(4'-n-alkoxybiphenylyl)-3-methylpropanoic acid was prepared, where a lateral methyl group was incorporated in the β-position of the -CH₂CH₂CO₂- linkage. Incorporation of the lateral methyl group encouraged the formation of a nematic phase at the expense of both the smectic A phase and tilted smectic phases.     

The synthesis and liquid crystal transition temperatures of some weakly polar nematic methyl (E)-[trans-4-substituted-cyclohexyl]-allyl ethers

We have introduced an oxygen atom and a carbon-carbon double bond with a trans-configuration (E) into the terminal alkyl chain of a wide variety of liquid crystalline cyclohexane derivatives to produce a variety of new methyl (E)-allyl ethers. The melting points and tendency to form smectic mesophases are often low, while nearly all of the compounds prepared exhibit a nematic phase. Thus, even two-ring derivatives can exhibit nematic phases over a wide temperature range (≤80°C), sometimes starting below room temperature (T_m≈10°C). Comparisons with the corresponding derivatives incorporating either just an oxygen atom or just a carbon-carbon double bond in the same position indicate that synergetic effects lead to broader nematic phases than would otherwise have been expected. Thus many of the new methyl (E)-allyl ethers exhibit nematic phases over a wider temperature range than the corresponding materials with an unsubstituted alkyl chain attached to the cyclohexyl ring. The new compounds are easily prepared from known starting materials. Many intermediates are themselves liquid crystalline. This allows investigation of the relationship between liquid crystal transition temperatures and the nature of the terminally substituted alkyl chain (for example, incorporating C=C, OH, CO₂C₂H₅ and OCH₃ groups).     

A study of homologation and the occurrence of an SA-SC-SA sequence of phases in the 4-n-alkoxy-3-fluorophenyl 4-(5-n-alkyl-2-thienyl)benzoates

Seventeen esters, derived from 4-n-alkoxy-3-fluorophenols and 4-(5-n-alkyl-2-thienyl)benzoic acids, have been prepared and their liquid crystal transition temperatures determined by thermal optical microscopy. On cooling the isotropic liquid, the S_A-S_C-S_A sequence of phases reported for the octyloxy-octyl and octyloxy-nonyl esters has been observed for certain other homologues, principally members of the 4-(5-n-nonyl-2-thienyl)benzoates. For these compounds, the temperature range of occurrence of the intermediate S_C phase decreases as the length of the alkoxy chain increases (for the hexyloxy-nonyl to dodecyloxy-nonyl esters) and the S_c phase is absent for the tetradecyloxy-nonyl homologue.     

Syntheses of 3-[5-Methyl-1-(4-Methylphenyl)-1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl]-6-Substituted-s-Triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-Thiadiazoles

1,2,3-Triazole derivatives have been reported as inhibiting tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis^[1]. The fused l,3,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazoles derivatives show various biological effects such as antifungal^[2], antibacterial, hypotensive and CNS depressant activities^[3]. We have reported several 6-aryl-3-[5-methyl-1-(4-methylphenyl)-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]-s-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazoles in the previous paper^[4]. The novel 6-aryl-3-[5-methyl-1-(4-methylphenyl)-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]-s-triazolo[2,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazoles 6a-j have been synthesized by the condensation of 4-amino-5-mercapto-3-[5-methyl-1-(4-methylphenyl)-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]-s-triazole 5 with various aromatic carboxylic acids in the presence of phosphorus oxychloride. The mercaptotriazole 5 was prepared from 4,the latter being prepared from 1 throng 2 and 3. The title compounds 6 were depicted in scheme 1. The structures of these compounds were established by elemental analysis, NMR, MS and IR techniques.     

Synthesis, thermal stabilities, and anisotropic properties of some new isoflavone-based esters 7-decanoyloxy-3-(4'-substitutedphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-ones

A series of new isoflavonic esters 7-decanoyloxy-3-(4'-substitutedphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-ones containing a heterocycle in their central core with one flexible alkyl chain and various substituents, R (where R = F, Cl, Br, CH₃, OCH₃, or H) at 4'-position at one end, have successfully been synthesised, isolated, and characterised. The physical properties of title compounds were studied using spectroscopic techniques (Fourier transform infrared, ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance). The liquid crystalline properties and the textures of these compounds along with their thermal stabilities were investigated via polarising optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. All the compounds except the member without the substituent were enantiotropic mesogens exhibiting smectic A and/or nematic phases. The layer periodicities in relation to different phases were substantiated by X-ray diffraction wherein the molecules within the SmA phase were found to be intercalated. The structural changes that resulted in a variation of transition temperature as well as the electronic polarisability of the respective compounds are also discussed.     

Synthesis and study of 4-(4'-n-alkoxybenzoyloxybenzoyl)-4'-n-butoxyanilides

Thirteen compounds with ester and amide linkages were synthesized and their mesogenic properties evaluated. Methyl to n-propyl derivatives exhibit nematic phases, n-butyl to n-decyl derivatives exhibit smectic and nematic mesophases, whereas n-dodecyl to n-octadecyl derivatives exhibit only smectic phases. All the smectic homologues exhibit smectic C phases. Middle members of the homologous series exhibit polymorphism of smectic mesophase. A plot of transition temperatures versus number of carbon atoms in the alkoxy chain reveals an odd-even effect for nematic-isotropic transition temperatures. Nematic-isotropic and smectic-cholesteric thermal stabilities of the prepared compounds (series I) are higher compared to those of previously reported compounds, series A, B and C. The results indicate that a simple reversal of a central linkage has a dramatic effect on the appearance of smectic mesophase in a homologous series. The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized using elemental analysis, thin-layer chromatography and spectral data.     

Synthesis and spectral properties of some 1,2-dithienylethenes and 1-thieny1-4-phenylbutadienes

A total of seven thiophene derivatives not previously reported have been prepared via the Knoevenagel condensation of an activated methylthiophene and a heterocyclic or aromatic aldehyde. The principal peaks in the ultraviolet and visible absorption spectra as well as some nuclear magnetic resonance data are reported for these compounds.     

Phase behaviour of binary mixtures of 4-substituted phenyl 4'-n-alkoxybenzoates

Five homologous series Ia-e, of the title compounds have been prepared and investigated for their mesophase behaviour in binary mixtures. Each series differs from the other by a substituent X, which changes between CH₃O, CH₃, Cl, CN, and NO₂. The number of carbons in the terminal alkoxy group, within a homologous series, varies between 6, 8, 14, and 16. All possible binary combinations, made from any two components bearing an alkoxy group of the same chain length but two different substituents X, were prepared and similarly characterized for their phase behaviour. Transition temperatures of the mixtures were measured by differential scanning calorimetry and identified by polarizing optical microscopy. Phase diagrams were constructed for the various binary systems and discussed in terms of electronic effects.     

Reinforcement of polystyrene by covalently bonded oxo-titanium clusters

Oxo-metallic clusters are employed as inorganic nanobuilding blocks in order to obtain new organic–inorganic hybrid materials. Nanobuilding blocks are well-defined preformed entities which allow a better control of the inorganic domains for the elaboration of hybrid compounds. The oxo-alcoxo cluster Ti₁₆O₁₆(OEt)₃₂ presents a shell of labile ethoxy groups which can be selectively exchanged with the preservation of the oxo-core in order to introduce polymerizable ligands at the surface of this nanobrick. Three different new clusters, Ti₁₆O₁₆(OEt)_32−x(OPhCHCH₂)_x, have been synthesised, each cluster bears exactly 4, 8 and 16 styrenic groups. These functional clusters were copolymerized with styrene leading to three dimensional networks where the inorganic nano-fillers are covalently linked to the organic polymer. Thus new hybrid materials can be obtained and these nanobricks are good models to correlate the structure of hybrid materials and their physical properties especially their mechanical and thermal properties. The structure of the materials in function of the organic–inorganic ratio and in function of the cluster functionalities was investigated by SAXS, and the formation of the different levels of aggregation is reported.     

Synthesis and characterization of new ferroelectric liquid crystals containing a (2S)-2-[6-(4-hydroxybiphenyl-4'-carbonyloxy)-2'- naphthyl] propionate mesogenic group and oligo(oxyethylene) spacers

Three series of ferroelectric liquid crystals containing a (2S)-2-(6-(4-hydroxybiphenyl-4'-carbonyloxy)-2'-naphthyl)propionate mesogenic group and oligo(oxyethylene) spacers were synthesized. These obtained liquid crystal compounds were characterized by NMR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical polarized microscopy (POM), and X-ray powder diffraction measurements. Some of these materials containing four phenyl rings of ester cores (i.e. -Ph-Ph-COO-naph-) and chiral heptyl tail exhibited a rich mesomorphic behaviour, a blue phase (BP), a cholesteric phase (Ch), a smectic A (S_A), a twist grain boundary A (TGB_A), and a chiral smectic C (S_C*) phase. Another series containing four phenyl rings of ester cores and chiral butyl and pentyl chain tails revealed only a S_A phase and a S_C* phase. Moreover, a crystal E phase was observed in the short spacer chain (n = 0 or 1) homologues of three series of compounds. Also, the mesomorphism properties were discussed as a function of spacer units, numbers of aromatic rings of core, and different terminal asymmetric moieties.     

Orientational Order in Nematic and Smectic A Phases of Three Closely Related Compounds 4 4-di-n-Heptylazobenzene 4 4-di-n-Heptyl- and 4 4-di-n-Octylazoxybenzene

The orientational ordering in the three related compounds 4,4-di-n-heptyl-d₂-azobenzene-d, (HB-d₁₂), 4,4'-di-n-heptyl-d₂-azoxybenzene-d, (HAB-d₁₂) and 4,4-di-n-octyl-d₂-azoxybenzene-d₈ (OAB-d₁₂) has been monitored using deuteron N.M.R. spectroscopy. In these non-rigid molecules it is possible to obtain only the elements of local order matrices. For the aromatic rings these are found to be axially symmetric within the precision of our measurements. The temperature dependences of the local order parameters for the aromatic rings are compared with those predicted by McMillan's theory of smectic A phases.     

Synthesis and characterization of 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives containing alkoxy chains with different lengths

The synthesis, optical properties, electrochemical properties, electronic structures and applications in electroluminescent device of three series of 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives, 1,4-bis[(4-methylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl]phenylene (OXD₁), 5,5′-di-(4-methyl)-2,2′-p-(2,5-bisalkoxyphenylene)-bis-1,3,4-oxadiazole (OXD_2–n) and 1,4-bis[(4-alkoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl]phenylene (OXD_3–n) are reported. The molecular structures of the oxadiazole compounds were confirmed by FT-IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The optical and electrochemical properties of the compounds were investigated by UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry. The results show that introduction of two alkoxy groups whose electron-donating ability is stronger than that of methyl groups increases the electron density of the conjugated segment of OXD_2–n (with side-on alkoxy substituents) and OXD_3–n (with end-on alkoxy substituents), and thus leads to the absorption maximum bathochromic-shift compared to that of OXD₁. The HOMO and LUMO energy levels of the compounds studied are in the range of −2.78 to −2.89 and −5.75 to −6.20 eV. Calculations on the representative compounds by the Dmol³ package of MS Modeling 3.0 revealed that the increase of energy levels in both OXD_2–n and OXD_3–n was due to the change of the frontier molecular orbital distribution in the central benzene ring. The light-emitting devices have been fabricated using blends of MEH-PPV and these compounds as emissive layers, among which, maximum brightness up to 11810 cd m⁻² (8.5 V) has been observed, which is 40 times brighter than that with MEH-PPV. The result of the devices suggested that oxadiazole derivatives studied function well as electron-transporting materials and can be used in LEDs, and thus to enhance the efficiency of LEDs.     

Effect of molecular structure on the phase behaviour of some liquid crystalline compounds and their mixtures XIII. 4-(4-Substituted phenylazo)phenyl 4-alkoxybenzoates

Five homologous series of 4-(4-substituted phenylazo)phenyl 4-alkoxybenzoates (Ia-e) were prepared in which the substituent (X) was taken from CH₃O, CH₃, Cl, NO₂, and CN, while, within each homologous series, the length of the terminal alkoxy group varied between 6 and 16 carbon atoms. Compounds prepared were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, and their mesophase behaviour investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. The results are discussed in terms of mesomeric and polarizability effects. In each group of compounds bearing the same alkoxy group, the mesophase - isotropic transition temperatures (T_c) were successfully correlated with the polarizability anisotropy of bonds to the substituent X.     

Secoandrostansäuren als enantiomere prostaglandin-analoga—I : 4- propyl-3,4-seco-androstan-3-säuren

Starting with 4-propyltestosterone syntheses of the enantiomeric tetrahydro-PGA₁ analogue 60 and its epimer 58 are described. Besides the isomer 56 the deoxy compound 28 as well as its noracid 35 were prepared as compounds closely related to 60. A key intermediate was the unsaturated acid 20.     

Secoandrostansäuren als enantiomere prostaglandin-analoga—II : 6-pentyl-4-nor-3,5-seco-androstan-3-säuren

A synthesis of the enantiomeric tetrahydro-PGA₁ analogue 48 is described. In addition the homoacid 50, its pentanor analogue 39 and its epimer 51, the 6-deoxy compounds 13 and 16 as well as the lactones 14, 53, 56 and 68 were prepared as compounds closely related to 48. Simple androstane derivatives served as starting materials for the syntheses. Key intermediates were 4, 32 and 63.     

The synthesis and transition temperatures of 5-(4-alkyl- and 4-alkoxy-phenyl)-2-cyanobenzo[b]furans and a 5-(4'-alkylbiphenyl-4-yl)-2-cyanobenzo[b]furan: a comparison with their biphenyl and terphenyl analogues

The synthesis and transition temperatures of a series of 5-(4-alkyl- and 4-alkoxy-phenyl)2-cyanobenzo[b]furans and a 5-(4'-alkylbiphenyl-4-yl)-2-cyanobenzo[b]furan are presented. The 2-cyanobenzo[b]furans show similar mesophase types to the analogous biphenyl and terphenyl compounds, which are obtained by replacing the benzo[b]furan unit with a phenyl ring. The transition temperatures for the 2-cyanobenzo[b]furan compounds are always higher than for their biphenyl and terphenyl counterparts, but they are much lower than for the corresponding phenylnaphthalenes. Five mesogenic benzo[b]furans without a cyano group were prepared as intermediates and these compounds have lower clearing points than their biphenyl analogues.     

过渡金属五卤苯基有机化合物的研究(Ⅰ)——含烷、芳基混合型膦配体的五氯苯基镍化合物的合成及其反应

本文合成了一些通式为(Ph₂PR)₂Ni(C₆Cl₅)Cl的新型含烷、芳混合型膦配体的五氯苯基镍化合物。研究了这些化合物与无机卤化合物、类卤化物、有机锂试剂以及炔烃的化学反应,并由此合成了一系列新的有机镍化合物和扩展了某些反应的应用范围。     

The effect of fluorocarbon tails on the phase behaviour of some Schiff's base liquid crystals

Several new liquid crystalline compounds comprising Schiff's-base cinnamate cores and fluorocarbon alkoxy tails of varying lengths have been synthesized and characterized. The thermal properties of these materials are compared to those of their hydrocarbon analogues. The results show that fluorination stabilizes the crystalline phase, quite unexpectedly destabilizes the S_c phase, and for two of the compounds produces extraordinarily stable S_A phases.