Some Novel Nematic Materials Bearing Two Lateral Nitrile Functions

More than fifty esters of 3-alkyl-6-hydroxy-1,2-benzenedicarbonitrile have been prepared. The new esters exhibit stable nematic phases of high negative dielectric anisotropy. The relationship between the clearing points of the esters and the various rings they incorporate is the same as that normally observed for nematic materials of positive dielectric anisotropy.     

The effect of fluorinated terminal chains on the mesomorphic properties of 4,4'-disubstituted phenyl benzoates

A variety of 4,4'-disubstituted phenyl benzoates having a terminal chain containing multifluorine atoms, attached directly to the benzene ring or through an ester group, have been synthesized and their mesomorphic properties determined by hot stage polarizing optical microscopy. These properties were compared to those of the corresponding hydrogenated esters and to other esters containing rigid terminal chains. Usually transition temperatures were higher and mesophase ranges wider than those observed for the parent compounds but no nematic phases were found. Any mesophase seen was usually a smectic A phase sometimes accompanied by a smectic C phase. Crystal E phases were found along with the smectic A phase in alkyl or alkoxy esters having a C₉F₁₉CO₂ chain on the acid side. A first order smectic A-smectic C transition was observed in the ester with CN on the acid side and O₂CC₇F₁₅ on the phenol side. A comparison of the effect of a terminal fluorinated chain and a lateral fluorine group on one set of esters is also included.     

Molecular structure and mesomorphism in the series of discotic esters derived from benzene,triazine, biphenyl,and triphenylene

New mesogenic discotic triazine-based esters were synthesized and shown to form a low-temperature monotropic columnar mesophase. Using as examples the newly synthesized compounds and previously prepared discotic esters on the basis of benzene, biphenyl, and triphenylene, the effects of the nature and size of the central fragment and the number, position, length, and rigidity of peripheral substituents therein on the mesomorphic properties (in particular, the ability to form columnar and nematic mesophases) were examined. The main structural factors stabilizing columnar and nematic mesophases were revealed. Nematic mesomorphism was shown to be favored by increased size of the central fragment of the discogen molecule and by the presence of cyclohexane fragments in peripheral substituents.     

γ-取代-β-二酮二羰基合铑的合成与介晶性

合成了体系中含一个苯环、二个苯环的γ-取代-β二酮二羰基合铑棒状金属有机化合物, 并对其介晶性进行了表征。探讨了分子长宽比、刚性实和结构对液晶性质的影响。同时表明了向列相有机液晶分子的模型设计同样能很好地指导金属有机液晶分子的设计、合成及介晶性行为的研究。     

The influence of lateral apolar substituents on the mesomorphic behaviour of tetracatenar liquid crystals

Several series of new tetracatenar mesogens consisting of a five-ring aromatic core and bearing one or more apolar lateral substituents in the central benzene ring of the molecule have been synthesized and their mesomorphism is characterized by polarization microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction methods. Introduction of one, two, or four methyl groups into these tetracatenar mesogens destabilized columnar organization typical of the long-chain homologs, but did not suppress smectic C and nematic phases. Introduction of larger substituents did, however, suppress lamellar organization (C₁₅H₃₁) or mesomorphism (tert-butyl) totally.     

Comparative studies of three- and four-ring mesogenic esters containing p-carborane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, cyclohexane, and benzene

Twelve esters were prepared from pentyl-substituted p-carborane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, cyclohexane, and benzene carboxylic acids and three substituted phenols. The mesogenic properties of the series of esters were examined using thermal analysis and optical microscopy. The relationships between structure and mesogenic properties were analysed by comparison of the series of homostructural esters. Thus, the effects of variation of the carboxylic acid structure, introduction of fluorine into the phenol part, and replacement of the central phenyl ring with the -CH₂CH₂- group on the stability of mesophases and their widths were investigated. In general, carborane derivatives exhibit broad nematic phases and narrow SmA phases, while other derivatives demonstrate rich smectic and soft crystal polymorphism.     

Modular assembly of elliptical mesogens

Discotic mesogens featuring a pyridine ring were synthesized, and were found either to form ordered hexagonal columnar liquid crystalline phases or melt directly from a crystal to an isotropic liquid, depending on the position of the pyridyl nitrogen atom. Binary mixtures of the mesogenic pyridine derivatives with a similar discotic mesogen having a carboxylic acid group resulted in the formation of modular elliptical complexes through hydrogen bonding. The binary mixtures were found to exhibit ordered hexagonal columnar or ordered rectangular columnar and nematic mesophases, depending on the length of the alkyl chains, and displayed dramatically different properties from their constituent components. Binary mixtures of the non-mesogenic pyridine derivatives with carboxylic acid-functionalized discotic mesogens did not result in the formation of hydrogen-bonded complexes.     

Self-assembled discotic nematic liquid crystals formed by simple hydrogen bonding between phenol and pyridine moieties

New discotic nematic liquid crystals have been prepared through intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the core of 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene (phloroglucinol, PG) or 1,3,5-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzene (THPB) and the peripheral molecules of stilbazole derivatives. The various nematic phases formed by new hydrogen bonding building blocks were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarising optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The first discotic complexes of PG and trans-4-alkoxy-4′-stilbazoles exhibited nematic columnar (N_C) and hexagonal columnar phases depending on the length of alkyl chains, which were considered as the basic discotic structure. Several structural variations on the building blocks were attempted to examine their effects on the liquid crystalline properties of discotic complexes. The nematic lateral phase (N_L) with enhanced intercolumnar order was observed for the complexes of PG and trans-4-cyanoalkoxy-4′ stilbazoles due probably to the strong dipole interactions between cyano groups at the end of alkoxy chains. By introducing the nonlinear structure in three arms of supramolecular discotic mesogen, a discotic nematic phase (N_D) was observed for the complex of THPB and trans-4-octyloxy-4 -stilbazole. The single hydrogen bonding between phenol and pyridine moieties in this study provides a simple and effective method for preparing the rarely found discotic nematic liquid crystals.     

N,N'-dipyridoxyl Schiff bases: synthesis, experimental and theoretical characterization

Three N,N'-dipyridoxyl Schiff bases (L1, L2 and L3) have been newly synthesized and characterized by IR, (1)H NMR, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Their optimized geometries together with the theoretical assignment of the vibrational frequencies and the (1)H NMR chemical shifts of them have been computed by using density functional theory (DFT) method. In the optimized structures of the Schiff bases, two pyridine rings are not in a same plane; however the substitutions are essentially in the same plane with the pyridine rings. Also, the benzene ring(s) in the bridge region is (are) not in the same plane with the pyridine rings and azomethine moieties. In all the species, engagement in intramolecular-hydrogen bonds causes to weakness of the phenolic O-H bonds. Consistency between the theoretical results and experimental evidence confirms suitability of the optimized geometries for the synthesized Schiff bases.     

Mesomorphic properties of troponoid esters and amides with cholest-5-ene-3β-carboxylic acid moiety

Troponoid esters and amides connected with cholest-5-ene-3β-carboxylic acid have been synthesized to characterize their mesomorphic properties and to compare them with those of the corresponding benzenoids. 5-Alkoxytroponyl esters and amides with a long alkoxy group exhibited a twist grain boundary A* phase, as well as chiral nematic and smectic A* (SmA*) phases. The corresponding benzenoid esters exhibit SmA* and blue phases and the benzenoid amides only a SmA* phase. The differences between the mesomorphic properties are discussed in terms of the structural features of the core.     

Synthesis,characterization and thermal properties of 4,4'-bis(4-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)benzylideneanilines and bis(4-benzylidene-4'-n-alkoxyaniline) terephthalates

Series of novel thermotropic liquid crystalline compounds which serve as models for mesogenic diols have been synthesized. The mesogen molecules are constructed from 1,4-disubstituted benzene rings linked through ester and azomethine units. Based on the number of phenyl rings, a tetrad or pentad classification has been assigned to the core molecule. The structures of these compounds were established by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, while the mesomorphic behaviour has been confirmed using polarizing optical microscopy and DSC. All the compounds of the homologues series are mesomorphic in nature. The lower members of the series are nematogenic, while the higher members exhibit both nematic and smectic character, with high melting behaviour and wide mesophase ranges.     

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.     

一类新的刚性链侧链型液晶高分子的合成

以自由基聚合方法，合成了一系列含有三个苯环通过酯键相联的液晶性单体及其聚合物．在这类新的液晶高分子中，刚性液晶基元不通过柔性间隔基而直接竖挂在聚甲基丙烯酸酯大分子主链上．这些高分子有很高的玻璃化转变温度，表明其分子链刚性较大，因而代表了一类新的刚性链侧链型液晶高分子．它们的液晶行为用ＤＳＣ、偏光显微镜和Ｘ－光衍射进行了表征．发现所有单体和聚合物均为向列型热致性液晶．     

Synthesis of 2-(4-n-alkylphenyl)-5-n-alkylpyridines

New liquid-crystalline 2-(4-alkylphenyl)-5-alkylpyridines were synthesized by the reaction of 2-(4-alkylphenyl)-1-lithio-1, 2-dihydrophyridines with alkyl bromides. The compounds obtained have relatively low melting points and narrow temperature ranges of the existence of a nematic meso phase; the thermal stability of the meso phase is determined by the length of the alkyl group in the pyridine and benzene parts of the molecule.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 10, pp. 1389–1391, October, 1985.     

Synthesis and characterization of thiophene-containing liquid crystals

Six series of liquid crystal materials containing a 2,5-disubstituted thiophene unit were synthesized. The liquid crystal compounds obtained were characterized by NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. The properties of liquid crystalline phases were investigated as a function of spacer units, number of aromatic core rings and different terminal moieties. Cyano, methoxy and iodo groups were used as terminal groups. It is found that: (i) compounds having one thiophene ring and one phenyl ring connected by an ester group, with a length/breadth value of 2.1, exhibit no mesophase, while other compounds containing two biphenyl rings, with a length/breadth ratio of 2.7, show mesophases; (ii) the polarity of terminal groups and the flexible spacer length significantly affect the thermal behaviour of these compounds; (iii) the nematic transition range of cyano-containing compounds decreases with increasing length of the flexible spacer, and long alkenyloxy chains tend to facilitate the formation of the smectic phase and suppress the nematic phase in all the mesogenic compounds synthesized.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of some new chiral thiobenzoates containing three rings

Six new compounds with chiral terminal chains and three rings bridged via the -COS- and -COO- groups have been synthesized. Three of them belong to series A and have two benzene rings and one bicyclo[2,2,2]octane, while the remaining three come from series B, where all three are benzene rings. Series A compounds share a characteristic feature of two smectic phases: SmA* and SmB*, whereas mesogens from the B series exhibit only the one SmA* phase.     

Synthesis and characterization of thiophene-containing liquid crystals

Six series of liquid crystal materials containing a 2,5-disubstituted thiophene unit were synthesized. The liquid crystal compounds obtained were characterized by NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. The properties of liquid crystalline phases were investigated as a function of spacer units, number of aromatic core rings and different terminal moieties. Cyano, methoxy and iodo groups were used as terminal groups. It is found that: (i) compounds having one thiophene ring and one phenyl ring connected by an ester group, with a length/breadth value of 2.1, exhibit no mesophase, while other compounds containing two biphenyl rings, with a length/breadth ratio of 2.7, show mesophases; (ii) the polarity of terminal groups and the flexible spacer length significantly affect the thermal behaviour of these compounds; (iii) the nematic transition range of cyano-containing compounds decreases with increasing length of the flexible spacer, and long alkenyloxy chains tend to facilitate the formation of the smectic phase and suppress the nematic phase in all the mesogenic compounds synthesized.     

2-(4-Biphenylyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles: synthesis and mesogenic studies

A series of 2-(4-biphenylyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles bearing alkyl or alkoxy substituents at the 4? position, and a hydrogen, or alkyl substituent (linear, branched, fluorinated or functionalised) at the 5 position were synthesised and characterised (51 compounds). Their mesogenic properties were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry and polarising optical microscopy. Results show that substitution of the 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring for a terminal benzene ring in a conventional p-terphenyl enriched the mesogenic properties. Most of the new oxadiazole compounds exhibit either monotropic or enantiotropic smectic A mesophases with widths ranging from 3 to 50°C. A few compounds (short tailed) exhibit nematic phases and some compounds with branched or fluorinated alkyl substituents at the 5 position are also mesogenic.     

Symmetric esters derived from 1,3,4-oxadiazole: synthesis,mesomorphic properties and structural study by semi-empirical calculations

Three homologous series of symmetric esters derived from 2-alkylthio-5-(p -hydroxy)phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (series 3, 4 and 5) were synthesized and their liquid crystalline properties investigated by optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Depending on the chain length, nematic and smectic C phases were observed in the series 3 ; smectic A and smectic C phases in series 4. None of the homologues of series 5 shows mesomorphic properties. These three series are compared with other previously reported oxadiazoles. A structural study of AM1 semi-empirical calculations is also described.     

Generation of Photocurrent by Visible‐Light Irradiation of Conjugated Dawson Polyoxophosphovanadotungstate–Porphyrin Copolymers

Four hybrid polyoxometalate–porphyrin copolymer films were obtained by the electrooxidation of zinc octaethylporphyrin in the presence of four different Dawson‐type polyoxometalates bearing two pyridyl groups (POM(py)₂) with various spacers. The POM monomers were designed around 1,3,5‐trisubstituted benzene rings. Two of the substituents of the benzene ring are linked to the pyridyl groups, and the third is connected to the POM subunit. The four monomers vary in the relative positions of the nitrogen atoms of the pyridine rings or in the distance from the carbonyl group. The monomers were fully characterized by ¹H, ³¹P, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, electrospray mass spectrometry, IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. The copolymers were characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and AFM. Their photovoltaic performance under visible light irradiation was investigated by photocurrent transient measurements under visible illumination.