Synthesis of Long,Palladium End‐Capped Polyynes through the Use of Asymmetric 1‐Iodopolyynes

The synthesis of a unique series of long, asymmetric 1‐iodopolyynes ( 1 ‐C_nI and 2 ‐C_nI) with the sp‐hybridized carbon chain up to a decapentayne is reported. These compounds were then used as substrates in reactions with Pd(PPh₃)₄ leading to another series of palladium end‐capped polyynes, which were unstable in solution. Organometallic octatetraynes 1 ‐C₈[Pd]I, 2 ‐C₈[Pd]I, and decapentayne 1 ‐C₁₀[Pd]I are palladium end‐capped polyyne compounds with the longest carbon chains reported so far. All the complexes as well as their organic precursors were fully characterized by NMR, HRMS(ESI), IR, TGA‐DTA, and UV/Vis techniques, and the X‐ray crystal structures of two silyl‐protected precursors and one palladium complex are presented. The synthetic approach for palladium species is envisioned as a general route for the synthesis of labile organometallic polyynes.     

Synthesis and characterization of mesogen‐jacketed liquid‐crystal polymers based on 2,5‐bis(4′‐alkoxyphenyl)styrene

A series of novel mesogen‐jacketed liquid‐crystal polymers, poly[2,5‐bis(4′‐alkoxyphenyl)‐styrene] (P‐n, n = 1–11), were prepared via free‐radical polymerization of newly synthesized monomers, 2,5‐bis(4′‐alkoxyphenyl)styrene (M‐n, n = 1–11). The influence of the alkoxy tail length on the liquid‐crystalline behaviors of the monomers and the polymers was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry, polarized optical microscopy (POM), and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). The monomers with n = 1–4, 9, and 11 were monotropic nematic liquid crystals. All other monomers exhibited enantiotropic nematic properties. Their melting points (T_m's) decreased first as n increased to 6, after which T_m increased slightly at longer spacer lengths. The isotropic–nematic transition temperatures decreased regularly with increasing n values in an odd–even way. The glass‐transition temperatures (T_g's) of the polymers first decreased as the tail lengths increased and then leveled off when n ≥ 7. All polymers were thermally stable and entered the mesophase at a temperature above T_g. Upon further heating, no mesophase‐to‐isotropic melt transition was observed before the polymers decomposed. WAXD studies indicated that an irreversible order–order transition for the polymers with short tails (n ≤ 5) and a reversible order–order transition for those with elongated tails (n ≥ 6) occurred at a temperature much higher than T_g. However, such a transition could not be identified by POM and could be detected by DSC only on heating scans for the polymers with long tails (n ≥ 7). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1454–1464, 2003     

Influence of polymer backbone branching on liquid crystal mesomorphous in nonequimolar complexes of poly(ethyleneimine) and dendritic amphiphiles

Two kinds of ionic self‐assembled complexes of linear or branched poly(ethyleneimine) (lPEI or bPEI) with Percec‐type dendrons [(3,4,5)16G1‐COOH] were prepared as lPEI‐(3,4,5)16G1‐x and bPEI‐(3,4,5)16G1‐x , where x is the mole ratio of the carboxyl groups of the dendritic amphiphile to the amino groups at the PEI chain. The crystal and mesomorphous structures and thermal properties of these complexes were investigated with X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and polarized optical microscope (POM). Both the lPEI and bPEI complexes exhibited the same α_H crystal phase and similar lamellar mesomorphous phase, irrespective of the branching of the polymer backbone and the binding degree. The lPEI series complexes lPEI‐(3,4,5)16G1‐x , however, had more ordered lamellar stacking than that of the bPEI‐(3,4,5)16G1‐x complexes, so the thermotropic liquid crystal phase SmA was formed only in the lPEI‐(3,4,5)16G1‐x complexes beyond the melting point of the tail crystal of the dendritic amphiphile. No liquid crystalline phase was found from the bPEI‐(3,4,5)16G1‐x complexes. The results suggest that the branching of polymer backbone plays a key role to the formation of thermotropic liquid crystal in the polymer–dendritic amphiphile complex. The present finding is significant for the design of functional nanostructures based on the ionic complexation of polymers and amphiphiles. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011     

Branched Azobenzene Side‐Chain Liquid‐Crystalline Copolymers Obtained by Self‐Condensing ATR Copolymerization

Summary: The one step synthesis of a series of branched azobenzene side‐chain liquid‐crystalline copolymers by the self‐condensing vinyl copolymerization (SCVCP) of a methyl acrylic AB* inimer, 2‐(2‐bromoisobutyryloxy)ethyl methacrylate (BIEM), with the monomer 6‐(4‐methoxy‐azobenzene‐4′‐oxy)hexyl methacrylate (M), by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in the presence of CuBr/N,N,N′,N′,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as a catalyst system, and in chlorobenzene solvent, is reported. The degree of branching (DB), and the molecular weights and polydispersities of the resultant polymers were determined by NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography, respectively. The phase behaviors of the branched copolymers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal polarized optical microscopy (POM). The degree of branching of the branched copolymers could be controlled by the comonomer ratio in the feed and influenced their liquid‐crystal properties. Liquid‐crystal properties were not exhibited when the comonomer ratio was low. Comonomer ratios greater than 8 gave polymers with a lower number of branches, which exhibited both a smectic and a nematic phase.

A polarized optical micrograph of the smectic phase texture of a polymer synthesized here with a higher comonomer feed ratio (magnification × 400).     

A series of azo-type side-chain liquid crystalline polysiloxane–palladium complexes

A series of azo-type side-chain liquid crystalline polysiloxanes (AZLCPs) were synthesized, starting from organic polysiloxane and azo-type mesogenic compounds having an end allyl group. The AZLCPs were further used to coordinate with palladium dichloride and potassium chloride, by which a series of palladium complexes of AZLCPs (Pd–AZLCPs) were prepared. The mesogenic properties of all of the liquid crystalline polymers were characterized by using differential scanning calorimetry, polarized microscope and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. It was found that all of the polymer ligands and their palladium complexes showed thermotropic liquid crystallinity and that the incorporation of the palladium ions gave positive effects to the mesogenic properties of their polymer ligand counterpart. Compared with the corresponding AZLCPs, the Pd–AZLCPs have higher isotropization temperatures and a broader mesophase temperature range. The mesogenic properties of the liquid crystalline polymer ligands and their palladium complexes were also varied gradually by changing the length of the alkoxy groups on the side chain. The polymers that have a color emissive group and a highly flexible polysiloxane main chain may potentially be used as nonlinear optical materials.     

Unusual effect of molecular weight and concentration on thermoresponsive behaviors of well‐defined water‐soluble semirigid polymers

A series of water‐soluble semirigid thermoresponsive polymers with well‐defined molecular weights based on mesogen‐jacketed liquid crystal polymers (MJLCPs), poly[bis(N‐hydroxyisopropyl pyrrolidone) 2‐vinylterephthalate] (PHIPPVTA) have been synthesized via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed that the novel monomer and polymers have thermoresponsive properties with cloud point in the range between 10 and 90 °C. The cloud point was increased by 56.2 °C when the polymer molecular weight increased from 0.47 × 10⁴ g mol^?1 to 3.69 × 10⁴ g mol^?1. In addition, the cloud point of PHIPPVTA was decreased by 18.8 °C with the increase of polymer concentration from 5 to 10 mg mL^?1. A slight increase (0.1–3.5 °C) of cloud point has been observed after knocking off the end‐groups of PHIPPVTA. Moreover, the cloud point of polymer increased with increasing of its molecular weight with or without the trithiocarbonate end‐groups, which showed the opposite trend comparing with other thermoresponsive polymers with flexible backbones. These polymers show a dramatic solvent isotopic effect that the cloud point in D₂O was lower than in H₂O. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Main‐chain viologen polymers with organic counterions exhibiting thermotropic liquid‐crystalline and fluorescent properties*

A series of viologen polymers with bromide, tosylate, and triflimide as counterions were prepared by either the Menshutkin reaction or metathesis reaction in a common organic solvent. Their polyelectrolyte behavior in methanol was determined by solution viscosity measurements, and their chemical structures were determined by Fourier transform infrared and Fourier transform NMR spectroscopy. They were characterized for their thermotropic liquid‐crystalline properties with a number of experimental techniques. Each of the viologen polymers with organic counterions had a low melting transition or fusion temperature above which it formed either a high‐order smectic phase or a low‐order smectic phase. Each of them also exhibited a smectic‐to‐isotropic transition. The ranges of the liquid‐crystalline phase were 80–88 °C for viologen polymers with tosylate as a counterion and 120–146 °C for viologen polymers with triflimide as a counterion. They had excellent thermal stability. The ranges of thermal stability were 288–329 °C for viologen polymers with tosylate as a counterion and 343–350 °C for viologen polymers with triflimide as a counterion. The fluorescence property for all of the viologen polymers in either aqueous or methanol solution was also included in this study. For example, the viologen polymer containing the 4,4′‐bipyridinium and p‐xylyl units along the backbone of the polymer chain with triflimide as a counterion had an absorption spectrum (λ_max = 265 nm), an excitation spectrum (λ_ex values = 357, 443, and 454 with monitoring at 533 nm), and an emission spectrum (λ_em = 536 nm with excitation at 430 and 450 nm) in methanol. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 659–674, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10134     

One‐dimensional Salen‐type Chain‐like Lanthanide(III) Coordination Polymers: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Fluorescence Properties

Four salen‐type lanthanide(III) coordination polymers [LnH₂L(NO₃)₃(MeOH)_x]_n [Ln = La ( 1 ), Ce ( 2 ), Sm ( 3 ), Gd ( 4 )] were prepared by reaction of Ln(NO₃)₃ · 6H₂O with H₂L [H₂L = N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐1,2‐cyclohexanediamine]. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that H₂L effectively functions as a bridging ligand forming a series of 1D chain‐like polymers. The solid‐state fluorescence spectra of polymers 1 and 2 emit single ligand‐centered green fluorescence, whereas 3 exhibits typical red fluorescence of Sm^III ions. The lowest triplet level of ligand H₂L was calculated on the basis of the phosphorescence spectrum of Gd^III complex 4 . The energy transfer mechanisms in the lanthanide polymers were described and discussed.     

N,N′‐Bis(Salicylidene)‐1,2‐Cyclohexanediamine Lanthanide(III) Coordination Polymers: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Luminescence Properties

The salen‐type ligand H₂L [H₂L = N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐1,2‐cyclohexanediamine] was utilized for the synthesis of two lanthanide(III) coordination polymers [LnH₂L(NO₃)₃MeOH]_n [Ln = Eu ( 1 ) and Ln = Lu ( 2 )]. The single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses of 1 and 2 revealed that they are isomorphous and exhibit one‐dimension neutral structure, in which H₂L effectively functions as a bridging ligand and give rise to a chain‐like polymer. The luminescent properties of polymers in solid state and in solution were investigated and 1 exhibits typical red luminescence of Eu^III ions in solid state and dichloromethane solution and 2 emits the ligand‐centered blue luminescence. The energy transfer mechanisms in these luminescent lanthanide polymers were described through calculation of the lowest triplet level of ligand H₂L.     

Steric hindrance effect on thermo‐responsive behaviors of well‐defined water‐soluble semi‐rigid polymers

Three series of water‐soluble semi‐rigid thermo‐responsive polymers with well‐defined molecular weights based on mesogen‐jacketed liquid crystal polymers, poly[bis(N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl) pyrrolidone) 2‐vinylterephthalate] [P(2‐HPPVTA)], poly[bis(N‐(1‐methyl‐2‐hydroxyethyl) pyrrolidone) 2‐vinylterephthalate] [P(1‐M‐2‐HEPVTA)] and poly[bis(N‐hydroxypropyl pyrrolidone) 2‐vinylterephthalate] (PHPPVTA) have been synthesized via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The steric hindrance effects on liquid crystalline property and thermo‐responsive behaviors of semi‐rigid water‐soluble polymers (P(2‐HPPVTA), P(1‐M‐2‐HEPVTA), and PHPPVTA) were carefully investigated. From molecular structure, the steric hindrance of P(1‐M‐2‐HEPVTA) is stronger than that of P(2‐HPPVTA). Polarized light microscope and one‐dimensional wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction revealed that both the P(2‐HPPVTA) and P(1‐M‐2‐HEPVTA) display a columnar nematic phase, indicating that the steric hindrance effect do not affect liquid crystalline behavior of the polymers. The dynamic light scattering results demonstrated that P(1‐M‐2‐HEPVTA) exhibited lower cloud point compared with that of P(2‐HPPVTA) at the same mass concentration and the same molecular weight. The more significant molecular weight and concentration dependence on cloud point have been observed in P(2‐HPPVTA) solution than in P(1‐M‐2‐HEPVTA) solution. We also discovered that the cloud points of both P(2‐HPPVTA) and P(1‐M‐2‐HEPVTA) solution are lower in D₂O than in H₂O. It is noted that the cloud point of PM‐2 is 9.9 °C lower in D₂O than in H₂O, much less pronounced than the cloud point difference of PH‐2. The differences of thermo‐responsive behaviors between P(2‐HPPVTA) and P(1‐M‐2‐HEPVTA) were resulted from the steric hindrance effect existed in their side groups. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3429–3438     

Novel quasi‐scorpionate ligand structures based on a bis‐N‐heterocyclic carbene chelate core: synthesis,complexation and catalysis

A series of novel quasi‐scorpionate CNC donor ligands, MeC(2‐C₅H₄N){CH₂(imidazole‐R)} (R = methyl, n‐butyl, n‐propenyl), in which a chelating bis(NHC) core is supplemented by a hemi‐labile pyridyl donor, were prepared. The coordination chemistry of these ligands was investigated with silver, palladium, rhodium and iridium. The single crystal X‐ray structures of [Rh(NC₂^Me)(COD)]Cl 8a and [Ir(NC₂^Pr)(COD)]Br 9b were determined. The catalytic potential of the rhodium and iridium complexes was assessed in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones; the iridium complexes, which show superior performance, form very effective and stable catalysts. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of light‐emitting oligo(p‐phenylene‐vinylene)s and polymeric derivatives containing three‐ and five‐conjugated phenylene rings

Several series of light‐emitting oligo(p‐phenylene‐vinylene)s (BIII and BV series containing three‐ and five‐conjugated phenylene rings) with various side groups and end groups attached to the cores were synthesized and characterized. The analogous PBV polymers, derived from the BV series, were also synthesized and investigated. Blue and greenish light emissions were observed in the photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) spectra of the blend and pure films with these π‐conjugated structures. In contrast to the three‐conjugated ring oligomers, the five‐conjugated ring derivatives (oligomers and polymers) had larger maximum emission wavelength values of PL and EL emissions. Mesomorphism was introduced into the BV series by the replacement of three‐conjugated rings (BIII series) with five‐conjugated phenyl cores (BV series). The liquid‐crystalline properties of the BV series with end groups (on both end rings) were better than those of analogous BV‐OC₈ without end groups. Polarized PL emissions were obtained by the alignment of liquid‐crystalline phase in rubbing cells. Upon heating, different PL emission wavelengths and intensities were observed in various phases. Not only the solubility and thermal properties but also the PL and EL properties could be effectively adjusted by the attachment of flexible alkoxy groups either on the central rings or on both end rings of the conjugated cores. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 783–800, 2006     

Piperazine‐ and DABCO‐bridged dinuclear N‐heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes: synthesis,structure and application to Hiyama coupling reaction

Four dinuclear N ‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladium complexes were prepared by reaction of imidazolinium salts, PdCl₂ and bridging ligands (piperazine and DABCO) in one pot or by direct cleavage of the chloro‐bridged dimeric compounds [Pd(μ ‐Cl)(Cl)(NHC)]₂ with bridging ligands. All of the complexes were fully characterized using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, high‐resolution mass and infrared spectroscopies, elemental analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The catalytic activities of the obtained palladium catalysts towards Hiyama coupling of aryl chlorides with phenyltrimethoxysilane were investigated and the results showed that the dinuclear palladium complexes were considerably active for the coupling reaction. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

All‐aromatic liquid crystalline thermosets with high glass transition temperatures

We have synthesized and characterized a new family of low melting all‐aromatic ester‐based liquid crystal oligomers end‐capped with reactive phenylethynyl end groups. In a consecutive, high‐temperature step, the reactive end groups were thermally activated and polymerization was initiated. This reactive oligomer approach allows us to synthesize liquid crystal thermosets with outstanding mechanical and thermal properties, which are superior to well‐known high‐performance polymers such as PPS and PEEK. We have modified an intractable LC formulation based on hydroquinone and terephthalic acid, with M_n = 1000, 5000, and 9000 g mol^?1, and varied the backbone composition using isophthalic acid, resorcinol, 4‐hydroxy‐benzoic acid, 6‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthoic acid, and chlorohydroquinone. All fully cured polymers showed glass transition temperatures in the range of 164–275 °C, and high storage moduli at room temperature (～ 5 GPa) and elevated temperature (～ 2 GPa at 200 °C). All oligomers display nematic mesophases and in most cases, the nematic order is maintained after cure. Rheology experiments showed that the phenylethynyl end group undergoes predominantly chain extension below 340 °C and crosslinking above this temperature. Highly aligned fibers could be spun from the nematic melt, and we found that the order parameter 〈P₂〉 was not affected by the chain extension and crosslink chemistry. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1368–1380, 2009     

Synthesis and X‐ray Crystal Structures of Acenaphthenequinone‐based α‐Diimine Palladium Complexes and a Novel V‐shape Tripalladium Cluster

Partially fluorinated 1,4‐Diazadiene (α‐Diimine) ligand 3,5‐CF₃‐BIAN (1) formed from 3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)aniline and acenaphthenequinone was used in the synthesis of palladium dichlorido complex 2 and its mono methyl chlorido palladium complex 3 . Both complexes as well as side products of the reaction with methyl lithium such as trans‐bis(3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)aniline complex 4 and an interesting mixed valent trinuclear V‐shaped palladium cluster 5 with two bridging μ²,η³‐N,CN′ non‐innocent BIAN ligands were structurally characterized by the single‐crystal XRD method.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,Fluorescent and Antioxidation Properties of Cerium(III) and Europium(III) Complexes with Bis(3‐methoxysalicylidene)‐3‐oxapentane‐1,5‐diamine

Two aliphatic ether Schiff base lanthanide complexes (Ln = Eu, Ce) with bis(3‐methoxysalicylidene)‐3‐oxapentane‐1,5‐diamine (Bod), were synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. [Eu(Bod)(NO₃)₃] ( 1 ) is a discrete mononuclear species and [Ce(Bod)(NO₃)₃DMF]_∞ ( 2 ) exhibits an inorganic coordination polymer. In the two complexes, the metal ions both are ten‐coordinated and the geometric structure around the Ln^III atom can be described as distorted hexadecahedron. Under excitation at room temperature, the red shift in the fluorescence band of the ligand in the complexes compared with that of the free ligand can be attributed to coordination of the rare earth ions to the ligand. Moreover, the antioxidant activities of the two complexes were investigated. The results demonstrated that the complexes have better scavenging activity than both the ligand and the usual antioxidants on the hydroxyl and superoxide radicals.     

SALS,WAXS and mechanical properties of heat‐treated thermotropic polymers

The influence of heat treatment on the texture, microstructure and tensile mechanical properties of extruded thin films of a series of high‐performance thermotropic liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) was investigated. LCPs based on random units of hydroxybenzoic acid (B), hydroxynaphthoic acid (N), terephthalic acid (TA) and biphenol (BP) were kindly supplied by the former Hoechst Celanese Corp as 50 µm thick extruded tapes. The LCPs, denoted B‐N, COTBP and RD1000, have B and N as common comonomers and vary the other comonomers. Thus, this study also enables the investigation of the influence of monomer composition on microstructure and mechanical properties. Heat treatments were carried out at temperatures close to the solid‐to‐nematic transition (T_s→n) for periods up to 5 h, under dry air conditions. The thermal treatment produced either two endotherms or a small increase of T_s→n (B‐N and RD1000), or increased significantly T_s→n (COTBP). Moreover, when heat treatment was carried out approximately 40°C below the respective T_s→n, the mechanical Young's modulus, E, along the extrusion axis, increased for all LCPs. Strikingly, for COTBP, E increased over 100% relative to the as‐extruded film. The results also showed that the optimum treatment time for improving the Young modulus, under dry air atmosphere, was between 3 and 4 h. Wide‐angle X‐ray scattering showed a significant sharpening of crystalline reflections and concentration of the 002 meridional reflection as a result of thermal treatment, suggesting the elimination of defects and a better alignment of the molecular chains along the extrusion axis. This would explain the increase in tensile modulus. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biological evaluation of organometallic palladium(II) complexes containing 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid (3‐ethoxy‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazide: Synthesis,structure, DNA/protein binding,antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity

New palladium(II) complexes, [Pd(PPh₃)L] ( 2 ) and [Pd(AsPh₃)L] ( 3 ), were synthesized using 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid (3‐ethoxy‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazide ( 1 ) ligand (H₂L), and characterized using various physicochemical techniques. The molecular structures of 2 and 3 were determined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, which reveals a square planar geometry around the palladium(II) metal ion. In vitro DNA binding studies were conducted using UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, emission spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and viscosity measurements, which suggest that the metal complexes act as efficient DNA binders. The interaction of ligand H₂L and complexes 2 and 3 with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated using UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopies. Absorption and emission spectral studies indicate that complexes 2 and 3 interact with BSA protein more strongly than the parent ligand. The free radical scavenging potential of all the synthesised compounds ( 1 – 3 ) was also investigated under in vitro conditions. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxicity of the complexes to tumour cells lines (HeLa and MCF‐7) was examined using the MTT assay method.     

Influence of molecular weight on the phase behaviors of comb‐like polymers with long n‐alkyl side chains based on mesogen‐jacketed liquid crystalline polymers

A series of comb‐like polymers, poly{2,5‐bis[(4‐octadecyloxyphenyl)oxycarbonyl]‐styrenes{ (P‐OC18s) with different molecular weights (M_n) and low molecular weight distributions have been successfully synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization. The phase behaviors have been investigated by a combination of techniques including differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and temperature‐variable FTIR spectroscopy. One hand, phase behaviors of the alkyl tails were strongly influenced by the mesogens of polymers, leading to the poor packing of the alkyl tails and the low melting. The other hand, the liquid crystalline phase structures of polymers were found to be strongly M_n dependent. The samples with M_n ≤ 4.6 × 10⁴ formed a smectic phase in low temperature and an isotropic phase in high temperature. The samples with M_n ≥ 5.2 × 10⁴ displayed a reentrant isotropic phase, which was separating the smectic phase and columnar nematic phase. Meantime, the experiment results showed that the glass temperature and the transition temperature from smectic phase to isotropic phase both slightly increased with the increase of M_nS; however, the transition temperature from isotropic phase to columnar phase sharply decreased with the M_nS improved. The reappearance of isotropic phase is due to the competing between the driving force of the enthalpy and the driving force of the entropy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013