含氟链不对称苯并菲盘状液晶的合成及疏氟效应对介晶性的影响

盘状液晶分子中引入氟代烃链并利用疏氟效应（fluorophobic effect）能有效稳定分子的柱状堆积;低对称性的盘状分子有较低的熔点和宽的介晶相温度范围．基于此,本文设计并合成了一系列半氟酯链的不对称苯并菲化合物C18H6（OCnH2n＋1）4（OCH3）（O2CC2H4C6F13）（1）,及相对应的不含氟化合物C18H6（OCnH2n＋1）4（OCH3）（O2CC8H17）（2）,n=4—8．化合物结构通过核磁和质谱表征．介晶性通过差示扫描量热法和偏光显微镜进行了研究．结果显示：化合物均为柱状互变热致液晶．含氟链化合物1a—1e与相对应的化合物2a-2e比较,有更高的熔点和清亮点．合成的多数化合物为室温液晶．     

Improved mesophase stability of benzoxazole derivatives via dipole moment modification

By modifying the molecular dipole moments with lateral monofluorine substituent, improved mesophase stabilities were obtained for novel benzoxazole derivatives, 2-(4?-alkoxy-3-fluorobiphenyl-4-yl)-benzoxazole liquid crystals (coded as nPPF(3)Bx). The series of nPPF(3)Bx with lateral monofluorine substituent ortho to benzoxazole group have larger calculated dipole moments by about 2 D than the corresponding fluorine-substituted analogs (compounds I) with lateral monofluorine ortho to alkoxy group; it is interesting to note that they show lower melting and clearing points but better mesophase stability with wider mesophase ranges for the molecules with both polar (NO₂, Cl) and nonpolar (CH₃, H) terminal groups. Meanwhile, compounds nPPF(3)Bx show greater red-shifted photoluminescence emissions than compounds I, which suggest that π–π interaction between molecules is reinforced by the enhanced dipole–dipole interaction caused by increased dipole moments. These results suggest that modification of the molecular dipole moment is an effective method to improve the mesophase stability of the classical mesogenic compounds.     

Crystallization behavior of polyethers containing odd numbers of methylene spacers from the isotropic and liquid crystalline states

A series of thermotropic polyethers synthesized from 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl) - 2 - (2 - methyl - 4 - hydroxyphenyl) - ethane and α,ω-dibromo-n-alkanes with odd numbers of methylene units (MBPE-n = odd) shows monotropic mesophase behavior. In isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments, two—sometimes even three—exothermic transition processes can be observed when the crystallization temperature is below the mesophase transition temperature, while only one exothermic process is present above the mesophase transition temperature. The melting behavior of the crystals grown from the mesophase and from the isotropic melt states is different. The crystals grown from the mesophase state exhibit a larger overall heat of transition and a higher transition temperature compared with those grown from the isotropic melt. This may be attributed to the molecular interfacial connections between the crystal and amorphous regions when MBPEs crystallize from the mesophase state. The difference in morphology between the crystals grown from the different states has also been studied with polarized light microscopy (PLM) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). The structures of the crystals grown from the different states are, however, the same, as evidenced through wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) measurements. From the banded morphology of MBPE samples observed from PLM, the defect textures observed through TEM and the results of WAXD experiments, this mesophase can be identified as a nematic liquid crystal state.     

Structure of the liquid crystalline state in hexakis (4-(4'-alkyloxy)biphenoxy)cyclotriphosphazenes

X-ray measurements on hexakis(4-(4'-alkyloxy)biphenoxy)cyclotriphosphazenes [PN-(OC₆H₄C₆H₄OC_nH_{2n + 1})₂]₃ (HACP, n = 7-9), confirm the previous mesophase identification. The apparent molecular length measured in the mesophase compares to twice the length of an alkyloxybiphenyl side group. Specific features are added to the usual features of the nematic and smectic diffraction patterns which show that the molecular arrays in directions parallel and perpendicular to the director both reflect the peculiar shape of the cyclotriphosphazenes.     

Synthesis,characterisation and liquid crystalline properties of some Schiff base-ester central linkage involving 2, 6- disubstituted naphthalene ring system

Four new mesogenic homologous series, each containing a 6-alkoxy 2-naphthoic acid and Schiff base-ester as central linkage, have been synthesised by esterification of 4-{[(4-hydroxyphenyl) imino] methyl} phenyl 4-propoxy benzoate, 4-{[(4-hydroxyphenyl) imino] methyl} phenyl 4- (pentyloxy) benzoate, 4-{[(4-hydroxyphenyl)imino]methyl}-2-methoxyphenyl 4- nitrobenzoate and 4-{[(4-hydroxyphenyl)imino]methyl}-2-methoxyphenyl 4- chlorobenzoate with different 6-alkoxy 2-naphthoic acid to give Series-A, -B, -C and -D, respectively. These compounds were characterised by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet-visible and mass spectral studies. Their mesomorphic behaviour was studied by polarising optical microscope (POM) with a heating stage. POM data were compared with differential scanning calorimetry thermograms. In Series-A and -B all compounds exhibit mesomorphism. Series-A compounds exhibit a enantiotropic nematic mesophase, while a smectic A mesophase is observed from the butoxy derivative and persists up to the last member of the homologou series. Series-B compounds also exhibit the enantiotropic nematic mesophase, while the smectic A mesophase is observed from the ethoxy derivative and persists up to the last member of the homologou series. The mesomorphic properties of both series are compared with each other and the other structurally related Series-C and –D compounds. In Series-C and -D all compounds exhibit the only nematic mesophase; no smectic mesophase is observed even for higher members of the homologous.

The aim of the research was to synthesise and characterise novel liquid crystalline compounds containing 2,6-disubstituted naphthalene and to study their mesomorphic properties.     

Mesophase behaviour of laterally di-fluoro-substituted four-ring compounds

Four new groups of the di-fluoro-substituted 4-(2′-(or 3′)-fluoro phenylazo)-2-(or 3-) fluoro phenyl-4″-alkoxyphenylazo benzoates (In–IVn) were prepared and investigated for their mesophase behaviour. An alkoxy group of variable chain length (n = 6, 10 and 14 carbons) is attached to the terminal phenylazo benzoate moiety, and two lateral fluoro substituents are attached individually with different orientations to the other two adjacent rings. The molecular structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The study aims to investigate the steric effect of the spatial orientation and relative positions of the two lateral fluorine atoms on the mesomorphic properties in their pure states. The mesophase behaviour was investigated via differential scanning calorimetry and mesophases were identified by polarised light microscopy. The investigation shows that these compounds exhibit high enantiotropic mesophases (SmC and N) and broad mesophase temperature range. The type and stability of the mesophase depends on the length of the terminal alkoxy chain and the position the two fluoro substituents. A comparison between these investigated compounds with their corresponding three-ring analogues was discussed.     

Effect of lateral bromo substituent on the phase behavior of four-ring azo/ester/azo liquid crystalline materials

ABSTRACT

In order to study the influence of lateral Br substitution on mesophase behaviour, five homologous series of 4-substituted phenylazo phenyl 4?-(3?-bromo-4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (In_a–e) have been synthesised. Within each homologous series, the alkoxy group varies from 6 to 16 carbons, while other terminal group substituents, X, are CH₃O, CH₃, H, Br and NO₂ groups; the mesophase behaviour of these series is compared with previously prepared laterally neat analogues, 4-substituted phenylazo phenyl 4?-(4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (IIn_a–e) and laterally methyl analogues, 4-substituted phenylazo phenyl 4?-(3?-methyl-4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (IIIn_a–e). Similar to lateral methyl analogues, the present series, lateral Br substitution showed that, independent of the polarity of the substituent X or the alkoxy-chain length, the nematic phase is predominant with relatively high stability and broad temperature ranges. The mesophase stability varies between 204.0°C and 335.0°C for the nematic phase and 169.6°C and 281.0°C for the SmA phase. Their total mesophase temperature ranges vary between 87.2°C and 201.4°C. All compounds were found to be thermally stable within the mesophase temperature range, except the lower homologue of the nitro and Br substituted derivatives. The obtained results are discussed in terms of molecular polarisability.     

Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline monofunctionalized 'two chain' diols and corresponding low molecular weight siloxane derivatives

The selective synthesis and the thermal behaviour of some cis, cis-(3,5-dihydroxycyclohexyl) 3,4-(alkenyloxy, alkyloxy)benzoates (monofunctionalized 'two chain' diols) are described. Thus, several 3-(alkyloxy)-4-(undecenyloxy)benzoic acids and 4-(decyloxy)-3-(undecenyloxy)benzoic acid have been obtained. The monofunctionalized 'two chain' diols form a hexagonal columnar mesophase through hydrogen bonding. Subsequently, low molecular weight liquid crystalline siloxanes, model compounds for polymers, i.e. two twins and one cyclic product, were synthesized via a hydrosilylation reaction. With respect to the 'two chain' diols, the observed hexagonal columnar mesophase was stabilized and the intercolumnar distance was extended by the siloxane moieties. Remarkably, the thermal behaviour of the cyclosiloxane differs from that of the twins. A cubic mesophase, which can be observed very rarely in thermotropic mesogens, was formed at temperatures below the hexagonal columnar phase.     

Molecular engineering of liquid crystal polymers by living polymerization. XI. Synthesis and characterization of poly{ 11-[(4-cyano-4′-trans-α-cyanostilbene) oxy] undecanyl vinyl ether}

A convenient method for the synthesis of 11-[(4-cyano-4′- trans-α-cyanostilbene) oxy]- undecanyl vinyl ether ( 6 ) which is the first member of a new class of mesogenic monomers is described. The polymerization of 6 initiated with CF₃SO₃H/S (CH₃)₂ in methylene chloride at 0°C proceeds through a living cationic mechanism leading to polymers with controllable molecular weights and polydispersities narrower than 1.10. The mesomorphic behavior of both 6 and poly( 6 )s with various molecular weights was determined by using a combination of thermal optical polarized microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. 6 is only crystalline. Poly( 6 )s with degrees of polymerization from 4 to 30 exhibit an enatiotropic smectic A mesophase and side chain crystallization.     

Preparation and properties of laterally multifluorinated benzoxazole-based nematic mesogens

Series of laterally multifluorinated heterocyclic compounds, 2-(2?,3-difluoro-4?-alkoxy-1,1?-biphenyl-4-yl)-benzoxazole derivatives (nPF(2)PF(3)Bx), are prepared and characterised. They mainly display enantiotropic nematic mesophases with wider mesophase ranges of 12–107°C (heating process) and 22–134°C (cooling process) than the corresponding analogues. The enhanced nematic mesophase stability is achieved via slightly increasing inter-ring twist angle with inter-ring lateral fluorine substitute in biphenyl unit, as well as through improving the molecular polarity with multifluorine substitutes. Meanwhile, two inter-ring lateral fluorine atoms lead to a decrease in melting/clearing points and a wide nematic mesophase range, which makes it possible for heterocyclic mesogens nPF(2)PF(3)Bx to use in nematic liquid crystal display mixtures.     

Phase separation in liquid crystalline mesophases of [Co(H2O)6]X2:P65 Systems (X = NO3-, Cl-, or ClO4-)

Transition-metal aqua complex salts [M(H2O)6]X2 (where M is Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), or Cd(II) and X is NO3-, Cl-, or ClO4-) can be dissolved in triblock poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers (Pluronics, such as P65) to form homogeneous liquid crystalline (LC) mesophases. However, the [Co(H2O)6]X2:P65 LC mesophases slowly undergo phase separation into a disordered ion-free phase and an ordered ion-rich LC mesophase. The phase separation also takes place in the two-salt systems [Co(H2O)6](NO3):[Co(H2O)6](ClO4)2:P65 in which the ion-free disordered domains separate out from the initially ordered homogeneous mesophase. The phase separation results in a physical mixture of a hexagonal nitrate-rich and cubic perchlorate-rich LC and disordered ion-free domains in the mixed salt systems. The driving force in the phase separation in the [Co(H2O)6]X2:P65 system is Co(II)-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of P65 into ester and/or other oxidation products. The separation of ions in the [Co(H2O)6](NO3)2:[Co(H2O)6](ClO4)2:P65 system is related to the mesostructures of the two-salt systems that are different, hexagonal in the [Co(H2O)6](NO3)2:P65 system and cubic in the [Co(H2O)6](ClO4)2:P65 system. There is no visible phase separation in the other transition-metal salt:P65 systems. The phase separation in the [Co(H2O)6]X2:P65 systems can also be eliminated by keeping the mesophase under a N2 atmosphere.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of the nematic mesophase benzoxazole derivatives with big twist angle of difluoro-biphenyl unit

Modifying the position and numbers of lateral fluorine substituent is a common method to design and adjust the mesophase of liquid crystal compounds. Here, a series of 2-(2,2?-difluoro-4?-alkoxy-1,1?-biphenyl-4-yl)-5-substituted benzoxazole with both non-polar (H, CH₃) and polar (NO₂) groups (coded as nPF(2)PF(2)Bx) is synthesised and characterised. All of the compounds show a conspicuous inter-ring twist angle of 38° compared with corresponding reference compounds I and II which are calculated by density functional theory method, and it is interesting to note that the final compounds nPF(2)PF(2)Bx show only nematic mesophase during heating or cooling. Meanwhile, the UV-vis absorption bands and photoluminescence emission peaks both display remarkable blue-shifted. The aforementioned results reveal that lateral difluoro substituents play a key role to stable the nematic mesophase by increasing the dihedral angle of biphenyl.     

Investigation of liquid crystalline property of a new calamitic liquid crystalline system methyl 4-(4ʹ-(4ʹʹ-(decyloxy)benzyloxy) benzylideneamino)benzoate

A new polar calamitic liquid crystal, methyl 4-(4?-(4?-(decyloxy)benzyloxy) benzylideneamino)benzoate (M3BA) containing ether and Schiff base groups as linker with terminal polar ester group, has been synthesised and mesomorphic properties are studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarising optical microscopy, density functional theory, temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction and temperature-dependent micro- Raman study. The smectic A (SmA) mesophase with focal conic texture has been observed with wide mesomorphic range. Layer thickness in SmA phase is greater than the optimised length of the molecule, indicating partially bilayer SmA phase. Analysis of Raman marker bands of C–H in-plane bending of phenyl rings, C=C stretching of rings, C=N stretching and C=O stretching shows structural changes at molecular level at Cr → SmA phase transition and provides proper intermolecular interactions responsible for dimeric unit in partially bilayer SmA phase.     

Transformation of a kinetically controlled nematic phase of a linear polymer into one which is thermodynamically controlled via cyclization [1]

The synthesis and characterization of cyclic main chain liquid-crystalline oligomers based on 1-(4-hydroxy-4'-biphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butane (TPB) with 1,7-dibromoheptane (TPB-7(c)] are described. These oligomers were synthesized by the phase transfer catalysed polyetherification of TPB with 1,7-dibromoheptane under high dilution conditions and separated by column chromatography. Their cyclic structure was confirmed by 200 MHz ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The mesomorphic behaviour of TPB-7(c) was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy. The cyclic dimer is only crystalline, while the cyclic trimer, tetramer and pentamer exhibit an enantiotropic nematic mesophase. The high molecular weight linear homologue TPB-7(1) exhibits a nematic mesophase which has an isotropization transition temperature located in the very close proximity of its glass transition temperature. Therefore, this nematic phase is kinetically controlled. Due to the higher rigidity of cyclics versus linear structures the cyclic trimer, tetramer and pentamer exhibit higher isotropization transition temperatures than their linear homologue. Subsequently, the kinetically controlled nematic mesophase of the linear homologue is transformed into a thermodynamically controlled phase via cyclization.     

二代树状碳硅烷液晶研究——端基含36个己氧基偶氮苯介晶基元

用发散法合成周边含36个己氧基偶氮苯介晶基元(M3)端基的新的二代树状碳硅烷液晶(D2),并用元素分析、氢谱、激光质谱、红外光谱、紫外-可见光谱、偏光显微镜,DSC和WAXD法进行表征.D2为向列相,与M3相同.D2液晶态相行为是K90N105I1l3N75K,D2熔点比M3降低2633℃,D2清亮点比M3降低315℃,D2液晶态温区比M3加宽1130℃.D2和一代树状物D1的相态由介晶基元相态决定.D2熔点比D1降低23℃.D2清亮点比D1降低1121℃,D2液晶态温区比D1减少819℃.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Thermotropic Properties of Liquid Crystals with an Oligo (Ethylene Oxide) Monomethyl Substituent I: Biphenyl-Based Systems

New alkene liquid crystals 4-[oligo(ethylene oxide)_o, monomethylether)carbonyl]phenyl 4-[4(allyloxy) phenyl]benzoate(MBPBEn, n = 1-3), 4′-[oligo(ethylene oxide)_o, monomethylether)carbonyl]biphenyl-4-yl 4-[4-(al1yloxy)phenyl]benzoate(MBPBPEn, n = 1-3), (S)-4-[(2-methyl-I-butoxy)carbonyl]phenyl 4[4-(allyloxy)phenyl]benzoate(MBPBKA), and (S)-4′-[(2-methyl-l-butoxy)carbonyl]biphenyl-4-yl 4-[4(allyloxy)phenyl]benzoate(MBPBPKA) were synthesized and characterized using ¹H-NMR and elemental analysis methods. The thermal transition temperatures, mesomorphic properties, and mesophase textures of these compounds have been determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), by polarizing optical microscopy, and by X-ray diffraction analysis. The effect of changes in chemical structure on the mesophase properties, mesophase and isotropic transition temperatures, and mesophase textures are discussed.     

Synthesis and thermal behaviour of new poly(azomethine-ether)

A new poly(azomethine-ether) was synthesized by the reaction of bisphenol A with a thermotropic azomethine monomer, namely 4,4′-oxy-bis(4-chlorobenzylideneimino phenylene). In order to understand the influence of the molecular weight on the thermal properties, four fractions were isolated from the initial polymer. They were investigated by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods (IR, UV, ¹H NMR) and their thermal behaviour was studied by differential scanning calorimetry, optical microscopy, thermogravimetrical analysis. An increase of the thermal transition temperatures and mesophase order with increasing molecular weight was noticed.     

Synthesis and mesophase behaviour of branched azobenzene-based supramolecular hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals

Five types of new pyridine-based azo compounds, namely, 4-(4′-pyridylazo)-4′‘-alkoxybenzoates or 4-(4′-pyridylazo)-4′’-substituted benzoates with straight or branch terminal were prepared as hydrogen bond (H-bond) acceptors to build mesogens. After self-assembled with different carboxylic acids, the resulted H-bond complexes were confirmed for the stability of H bond by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy, and investigated for the mesophase behaviour by differential scanning calorimetry and polarised optical microscopy. The influence of terminal chains in azo accepter or acid donor and the structure of acid donors on the mesogenic behaviour were discussed in detail.     

Preparation and characterisation of laterally monofluorinated mesogenic benzimidazole-based compounds

Series of laterally monofluorinated compounds, 2-(4?-alkoxy-3-fluorobiphenyl-4-yl)-1H-benzimidazole derivatives (nPPF(3)Mx) bearing different substituents (H, CH₃, NO₂, coded as nPPF(3)MH, nPPF(3)MM and nPPF(3)MN, respectively) at 5-position, were prepared and their structures were characterised. According to the results from differential scanning calorimetry and polarising optical microscopy, the present compounds nPPF(3)Mx exhibit enantiotropic smectic mesophases, for which the mesophase ranges are 13–67 and 47–111°C on heating and cooling for nPPF(3)MH, 84–112 and 126–154°C for nPPF(3)MM, and 23–102 and 49–117°C for nPPF(3)MN, respectively. Compared to non-fluorinated analogues, monofluorinated nPPF(3)Mx have low melting/clearing points and display enhanced mesophase range both in heating and cooling, which are attributed to the disruption of the side-to-side intermolecular packing caused by the ortho lateral fluoro substituents and the increased dipole–dipole interaction between the polar fluoro-substituted molecules, respectively. It is noted that nPPF(3)MM and nPPF(3)MN show a much wider mesophase range than nPPF(3)MH, which suggest that the substituent at benzimidazole moiety can improve the mesophase stability.     

Hofmeister anion effect on aqueous phase behavior of heptaethylene glycol dodecyl ether

The aqueous phase behavior of heptaethylene glycol dodecyl ether (C12E7) was investigated in the presence of sodium salts of Cl-, I-, and ClO4-. Pseudo binary T-X phase diagrams were constructed for these mixtures by means of differential scanning calorimetry. The salting-out electrolyte NaCl expanded the Lalpha region toward higher temperatures and shrank the H1 region toward lower temperatures compared with the salt-free system. On the contrary, the salting-in electrolytes NaI and NaClO4 induced shrinkage of the Lalpha region and an expansion of the H1 phase. The influence of these salts on the mesophase regions was more pronounced for the Lalpha phase than for the H1 phase, and area of the Lalpha phase region decreased in the sequence of NaCl > none > NaI > NaClO4, consist with the Hofmeister series of the anions. This salt effect on the mesophase stability in aqueous nonionic surfactant mixture would be qualitatively interpreted in terms of the salt effect on the hydration of the polyoxyethylene chain in the surfactant molecules.