New chiral liquid crystal materials based on menthol: Synthesis and phase behavior

To study structure-mesomorphism relationships of chiral materials based on menthol, a series of chiral compounds containing menthyl group were synthesized. Their chemical structures, formula, and the purity were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), and elemental analyses. The corresponding phase behavior was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM). The effect of the mesogenic core, flexible spacer, and terminal groups on the mesophase formation and type was discussed. The compound 4-menthyloxyacetoxybenzoyloxy-4′- (6-bromohexyloxy)biphenyl showed the smectic A (S_A) and cholesteric phases on heating cycle, and a cubic Blue Phase, chiral smectic C (S_C^*), S_A and cholesteric phases on cooling cycle. However, the compound 4-menthyloxyacetoxybenzoyloxy-4′-(4-bromobutoxy)biphenyl showed enantiotropic S_C^*, S_A and cholesteric phases, moreover, the platelet texture of a cubic Blue Phase was also observed on cooling cycle. The methacrylate monomer with six flexible methylene units and three phenyl rings as mesogenic core only showed cholesteric phase, while the methacrylate monomer with four methylene unit and three phenyl rings showed the S_C^* and cholesteric phases. However, when the terminal methacryloyloxy groups in the monomers were substituted by thiophenylacryloyloxy groups, the corresponding monomers all show no mesophase. With increasing the rigidity of mesogenic core or decreasing the flexible methylene spacer length, the corresponding melting temperature (T_m) or isotropic temperature (T_i) increased.     

Crystal structures of 2,4,9-trimethyl-(3ar,4c,9c,9ac)-3a,4,9,9a-tetrahydro-benzo[?] isoindole-1,3-dione(endo), C15H17NO2 (1), and 2-methyl-(3ac,9ac)-3a,4,9,9a-tetrahydro-4r,9c-ethano-benzo[?]isoindole-1, 3-dione(endo), C15H15NO2 (2)

The title compounds crystallize in the space group P-1 (compound 1), with a = 7.198(2) Å, b = 7.965(2) Å, c = 12.707(2) Å, α = 72.05(1)^∘, β = 87.65(2)^∘, γ = 65.18(2)^∘ and Pbca (compound 2), with a = 8.156(3) Å, b = 13.177(3) Å, c = 22.742(4) Å. The chiral centers in both compounds C3a, C4, C9, C9a are either R, S, R, S or S, R, S, R (compound 1) and either R, R, S, S or S, S, R, R (compound 2) because of the centric space group.     

Influence of structural relaxation on atomic mobility in a Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu125Ni10.0Be22.5 (Vit1) bulk metallic glass

The effect of an annealing at a temperature above or below the glass transition temperature in a Zr_41.2Ti_13.8Cu₁₂₅Ni_10.0Be_22.5 bulk metallic glass was investigated using dynamic mechanical analysis. Structural relaxation influences both the storage modulus (elastic component) and the loss modulus (viscoelastic component). Kinetics can be captured by a stretched exponential relaxation function. Experimental results are correctly described using a physical model based on the concept of defects for the mechanical response of amorphous materials and especially for the characteristic time relative to atomic mobility.     

Formation Entropy of Schottky Defects and Free Formation Enthalpy of Vacancy Pairs in Alkali Halide Crystals

The melting of alkali halides occurs probably at a critical mole fraction x_c = 3.2 · 10⁻⁴ of thermally created vacancies (Schottky defects). Using this value the formation entropy of Schottky defects is found to be s_S = (962.1 K mol/kJ L/T_m – 16.1) k (L, T_m heat and temperature of fusion, respectively). As to the free association enthalpy g_A = h_A – T_sA of (impurity-vacancy) complexes it is s_A = (10.8 h_A/eV – 2.56) k. Using this relation the concentration vacancy pairs is found to be smaller than that of isolated vacancies up to the melting point.     

The Metabolemeter III: Phase Behaviour Under Pressure of bis-(4-4′-n-Heptyloxybenzylidene)- 1, 4-Phenylenediamine and Terephthalylidene-bis-(4-n-Decylaniline)

By using a metabolemeter, the phase transitions of bis-[4, 4′-n-heptyloxybenzylidene]-1, 4 phenylenediamine (HBPD) and terephthalylidene-bis-[4-n-decylaniline] (TBDA) have been studied. The weakly first order phase transitions (S_G-S_F and S_F-S_I) and the narrowly separated phase transitions (S_C-S_A and S_A-I) of TBDA are detectable. For HBPD, both transitions S_G-S_I and S_I-S_C are individually observed and the enthalpy changes are deduced from pressure increments at the tranformations: two triple points are detected, one directly by a change of slope in the drawing of the equilibrium curves. The pressure-temperature phase diagrams are given; for each transiton, the volume increases on increasing the temperture.     

Properties of oriented TTF-TCNQ thin films

Vapour deposited thin films of the organic molecular complex tetrathiafulvaliniumtetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ) are investigated by electrical and electronmicroscopical methods. Morphology studies by means of electron micrographs show, that the thin films up to thicknesses of 300 nm consist of small crystals of a size of 1.2 · 0.2 μm² (deposited on cleaved (100) faces of NaCl) or 15 · 2 μm² (on glass substrate). Dependend on deposition conditions and on material of the substrate thin films are produced with strong or statistic orientation of this crystals. Strong oriented thin films exhibit conductivities up to σ = 65 ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ and activation energies of W_A = 0.02 eV. The found dependences of the conductivity on electrical field strength. temperature, and size of microcrystals are explained by a linear hopping model.     

Studies on electrical and the dielectric properties in MS structures

In this study, we investigated frequency dependent electrical and dielectric properties of metal-semiconductor (MS) structures using capacitance-voltage (C-V) and conductance-voltage (G/ω-V) characteristics in the frequency range 100 kHz-10 MHz in the room temperature. The dielectric constant (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″), dielectric loss tangent (tan δ) and ac electrical conductivity (σ_ac) were calculated from the C-V and G/ω-V measurements and plotted as a function of frequency. In general, ε′, ε″ and tan δ values decreased with increasing the frequency, while σ_ac increased with increasing frequency. Furthermore, the voltage and frequency dependence of series resistance were calculated from the C-V and G/ω-V measurements and plotted as functions of voltage and frequency. The distribution profile of R_S-V gives a peak in the depletion region at low frequencies and disappears with increasing frequencies. Also, series resistance values decreased with increasing frequency. The experimental results show that both frequency dependent electrical and dielectric parameters were strongly frequency and voltage dependent.     

Crystal structure and conformation of methionyl dipeptides: Structure of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">L</Emphasis>-methionyl-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">L</Emphasis>-asparagine: Preferred conformations of peptides containing methionyl and asparaginyl residues

Crystals of L-methionyl-L-asparagines (C₉N₃H₁₇O₄S) are orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁, with cell parameters at 294 K of a = 5.248(1), b = 13.251(2), c = 18.028(2) Å, V = 1251.6(4) ų, Z = 4, D_m = 1.40 Mg/m³, and D_x = 1.397 Mg/m³. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refinded by full-matrix least-squares method to a final R value of 0.059 for 1804 reflections. The peptide is slightly nonpalnar [ω = 172.0(5)^∘]; the other torsion angles ψ₁, ϕ₂, ψ₂¹, and ψ₂² are 155.6(5), −95.8(5), 152.5(5), and −29.4(6)^∘ respectively. The methionyl side chain is disordered with two possible position for its C^γ, S^δ, and C^ε atoms. The methionly side chain is twisted with χ¹ = −86.4(7), χ² = 177.5(9), and χ³ = 116.6(2)^∘ for the major conformer A. The asparaginyl side chain is also twisted with χ¹ = −76.3(5) and χ² = 102.3(6)^∘. The crystal structure is stabilized by an intermolecular network of hydrogen bonds involving the N-terminal amino group and the ε-terminal amino group of asn residue as donors and the carboxyl oxygens of the C-terminal and the peptide carbonyl oxygens as acceptor atoms.     

Synthesis,structure, and mesomorphism of novel liquid crystalline acrylate monomers and polymers

A series of novel liquid crystalline monomers (M₁?M₈) and side chain polymers base polyacrylate backbone were synthesized. The chemical structures were characterized by FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectra. The mesomorphism and thermal behavior was investigated by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The relationships of structure and mesomorphism are discussed in detail. The eight monomers and their corresponding polymers all show enantiotropic nematic phase. With increasing the spacer length or flexibility of the terminal group, the melting temperature (T_m) and isotropic temperature (T_i) of the corresponding monomers and polymers all decreased. However, with increasing the rigidity of the mesogenic core, T_m and T_i of the corresponding monomers and polymers all increased. TGA showed that all the polymers obtained in this study had excellent thermal stability.     

Low‐Temperature Raman Scattering Spectra of GaSexS1‐x Layered Mixed Crystals

Raman scattering has been used to study the vibrational spectra of GaSe_xS_1‐x layered mixed crystals at 10 K. We report the frequency dependencies of different modes on composition x, with particular emphasis on A′₁⁽²⁾ (A_1g¹) and A′₁⁽⁴⁾ (A_1g²) intralayer compressional modes having low dispersion in the Brillouin zone. The appearance of additional bands is attributed to multimode behavior typically exhibited by mixed crystals of anisotropic compounds.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of two soybean isoflavone derivatives

Two soybean isoflavone derivatives, 7-methoxy-4′-hydroxyisoflavone (1) and 4′, 7-diethoxyl-5-hydroxyisoflavone (2) were synthesized and their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Two derivatives crystallize in the monoclinic crystal system, space group P2₁/c. The cell dimensions of 1 are a = 8.696(4) Å, b = 11.947(5) Å, c = 12.078(5) Å, β = 93.594(7)^∘, D_c = 1.423 Mg/m³, V = 1252.3(10) ų, Z = 4, and those of 2 are a = 37.672(12) Å, b = 11.228(4) Å, c = 7.582 (3) Å, β = 94.150(6)^∘, D_c = 1.355 Mg/m³, V = 3198.6(18) ų and Z = 8. They have the same isoflavone skeleton which is composed of a benzopyranone moiety and a phenyl moiety. Hydrogen bonding and π < eqid1 > π stacking interactions assemble 1 into supramolecule with a three-dimensional network. And in the crystal structure of 2, hydrogen bonding and C–H ⋅s π stacking interactions lead to the formation of a two-dimensional network.     

Competition of time and spatial scales in polymer glassy dynamics: Rejuvenation and confinement effects

We use molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations and an original lateral contact experiment to explore the influence of mechanical history on polymer mechanical behavior and segmental mobility. Two typical glassy polymers are considered: bulk acrylate (experiments) and atactic polystyrene (aPS) in a bulk and in thin films (simulations). Stress-strain behavior has been investigated both experimentally for sheared, 50 μm thick, acrylate films and by MD simulations of an aPS in a bulk for two different strain rates in a closed extension-recompression loops. Cyclic shear strains applied in the plastic regime were found experimentally to induce a progressive transition of the mechanical response of the polymer glass toward a steady state which is characterized by a strong reduction of the apparent - non linear - shear modulus. The dynamics of the polymer glass in this yielded state was subsequently analyzed from a measurement of the time dependent linear viscoelastic properties at various imposed frequencies. Immediately after the cyclic plastic deformation, mechanical “rejuvenation” of the polymer is evidenced by a drop in the storage modulus and an increase in the loss modulus, as compared to the initial values recorded before plastic deformation. A progressive recovery of the viscoelastic properties is also measured as a function of time as a result of the enhanced aging rate of the system. This experimentally observed mechanical rejuvenation of polymer has been for the first time connected to the drastic increase in the simulated segmental mobility. A simulated distribution of relaxation times shows a shift to shorter times of the α and β relaxation processes which is consistent with the observed experimental changes in the viscoelastic modulus after rejuvenation. Finally, we present our first findings on the thickness- and substrate-dependence of the simulated glass transition temperature for thin aPS films. We observe the decrease of the glass transition temperature with film thickness, but for extremely thin (less than 2 nm) films.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the heterometallic square-chain polythiometalate: {[W4Ag5S16]2 · [La(DEF)2(DMF)6][La(DEF)4(DMF)4]}n

The complex (NH₄)₂ WS₄ reacts with AgNO₃ and La(NO₃)₃·6H₂O in a mixture of DEF/DMF (DEF—N,N-diethylformamide), to give a new heterometallic square-chain polythiometalate {[W₄Ag₅S₁₆]₂·[La(DEF)₂(DMF)₆]·[La(DEF)₄(DMF)₄]}_n (1). 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2/c, a = 19.5534(8), b = 16.9552(6), c = 22.3479(9) Å, = 106.053(1)°, V = 7120.1(5) ų, and Z = 2. The anion polymeric chain of 1 can be regarded as an octanuclear cyclic cluster of [W₄Ag₄S₁₆]^4– fragments linked through Ag⁺ ions. The polymeric chain is extended through the parallel edges of the square unit. The mean W—Ag distance is 2.963(16) Å. The La³⁺ cations are coordinated by different solvent molecules, the average La—O bond of these large trivalent cations is 2.47(1) Å.     

A luminescent heteroleptic five-coordinate cadmium(II) complex containing a bridging dithiolate ligand

The luminescent heteroleptic Cd(II) complex bis (-1,2-benzenedithiolato)-1 kS, 1:2 k ² S 2 kS, 1:2 k ² S-bis[(1,10-phenanthroline-k ² N ¹, N ¹)cadmium], [Cd₂(C₆H₄S₂)₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂], containing benzenedithiolate (bdt) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) has been synthesized and found to have the dinuclear formulation [Cd(bdt)(phen)]₂. The complex crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n with a = 10.3400(4), b = 11.5110(4), c = 13.6230(5) Å, and = 106.828(2)°. The dinuclear complex has crystallographically imposed centrosymmetry with one S atom of the bdt ligand bridging the Cd atoms in an asymmetric fashion (Cd–S = 2.5743(5) and 2.6817(5) Å) while the second S atom is bound in a terminal mode (Cd–S = 2.4955(5) Å). The mean interplanar spacing between the phen ligand and the phenyl ring of the bdt ligand is 3.291 Å while that between the phen ligands of adjacent molecules is 3.363 Å, suggesting the presence of both intra- and intermolecular -stacking. The complex is emissive in the solid state at room temperature (_em = 569 nm) with a luminecsent lifetime of 369 ns. The unstructured emission is believed to be a ligand-to-ligand –* charge transfer transition.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a Novel Heterocycle, 2-Oxa-4,7-Diazabicyclo[3.3.1]Non-3-Ene

Abstract  

The compound 5, containing the novel heterocycle 2-oxa-4,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-ene, has been obtained in a synthetic approach toward oxazoles and 1,3-diazepanes of natural product-like complexity from cyclization and rearrangement of δ-lactam cyanamides. When this procedure was applied to a silyl-protected N-((3S,4S,5S)-4,5-dihydroxy-2-oxopiperidin-3-yl)cyanamide (2b) formation of the novel heterobicyclic scaffold 5 was observed along with the expected oxazole (3b) and diazepane (4b) products. The crystal structures of 5 and diazepane 4b are described. Compound 5 crystallized from methanol in the monoclinic system, P2₁ space group with unit cell parameters a = 15.3402(9), b = 7.2717(4), c = 22.5803(13), β = 106.8620(10) and a cell volume of 2410.5(2) A³.     

Crystal structures of 4,11-pregnadiene-3,20-dione and 21-methyl-20-oxa-4-pregnene-3,20-dione

The structures of the title compounds were solved by direct methods and refined by anisotropic full-matrix least-squares methods. 4,11-Pregnadiene-3,20-dione, C₂₁H₂₈O₂(1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupP2₁ (Z=2). The unit cell parametersa, b, c (Å), and (°) were: 12.319(2), 7.700(2), 9.717(2), 109.41(2). TheA- andC-rings exhibit intermediate sofa-halfchair conformations. TheB-ring has a chair conformation and theD-ring assumes an intermediate envelope-half-chair conformation. The progesterone side chain has a typical conformation; the C16–C17–C20–O20 torsion angle is –15.1(4)°. 21-Methyl-20-oxa-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, C₂₁H₃₀O₃ (2) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space groupP2₁2₁2₁ (Z=4). The unit cell parametersa, b, c (Å) were: 12.926(2), 19.447(4), 7.313(1). The progesterone side chain has an unusual conformation; the C16–C17–C20–O20 torsion angle is 174.6(4)°. TheA-ring has a 1, 2-half-chair conformation, ringsB andC exhibit chair conformations and ringD is in a 13,14-half-chair conformation.     

Densities,refractive indices,and order parameters of a binary liquid-crystalline system with an induced smectic A phase

For the binary mixture of 4′-Nitrophenyl 4-n-octyloxybenzoate and 4-n-Octyloxyphenyl 4′-pentyloxybenzoate with an induced smectic A phase the refractive indices (n_c and n_o) and the density were measured in dependence on the temperature. The orientational order parameter and the density were calculated using a mean field fitting method. In the induced S_A phase the refractive indices and the calculated orientational order parameters are showing only a weak dependence on concentration. The calculated and measured densities are in the same order of magnitude.     

Structural and spectroscopic study of tetrakis(N,N-diethyldithiocarbamato)molybdenum(V) triiodide,Mo[S2CN(C2H5)2]4 I3

Oxidation of Mo₂[S₂CN(C₂H₅)₂]₆ with iodine in a 12 molar ratio yielded the complex MO[S₂CN(C₂H₅)₂]₄ I₃, for which magnetic susceptibility, NMR, IR, UV/visible spectra, and single crystal X-ray structure are reported. Crystals of Mo[S₂CN(C₂H₅)₂]₄ I₃ are monoclinic, space groupC2/c (No. 15),a=26.242(7),b=7.003(1),c=20.447(3) Å,D _o =1.97,Z=4,D _c =1.890 g cm^–3. The structure was determined from 1909 observed reflections and refined by blocked cascade least squares to anR factor of 0.042. The core of the cation, Mo[S₂CN(C₂H₅)₂] ₄ ⁺ , is dodecahedral with approximate point symmetryD _2d (¯42m). The eight S atoms coordinated to the Mo center can be divided into two sets, each forming a distorted tetrahedron. The set constituting a flattened tetrahedron has a mean Mo-S distance of 2.545(2) Å, whereas the set that forms an elongated one has a mean value of 2.500(2) Å. The oxidation state of +5 for the molybdenum atom is supported by the thioureide band [v(RNC)] at 1507 cm^–1, which lies between those of similar Mo(IV) and Mo(VI) complexes.     

Structure and optical properties of chalcohalide glasses doped with Pr and Yb ions

Glasses of systems 100-y((GeS₂)₈₀(Sb₂S₃)_20−x(PbI₂)_x)yPr₂S₃, x = 0; 2; 5, 8; y = 0; 0.01; 0.1; 0.5 and 99.9-z((GeS₂)₈₀(Sb₂S₃)₁₈(PbI₂)₂)0.1Pr₂S₃zYb₂S₃, z = 0.05; 0.1; 0.15) were synthesized in high purity. Optically well transparent glasses were obtained for x  5 mol.% PbI₂, for y  0.1 mol.% Pr₂S₃ and for z  0.15 mol.% Yb₂S₃. The glasses were stable and homogeneous, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, with high optical transmittivity from visible (red) region up to infrared region (900 cm⁻¹). The density of the glasses was 3.26–3.33 gcm⁻³ for PbI₂ containing glasses. The glass transition temperature, T_g, was 320–336 °C. The optical absorption bands in rare-earth doped glasses corresponded to ³H₄–³F₄, ³H₄–³F₃, ³H₄–(³F₂ + ³H₆) f–f electron transitions of Pr³⁺ ions and to ²F_7/2–²F_5/2 f–f electron transitions of Yb³⁺ ions. Strong luminescence band with maximum near 1340 nm (electron transition ¹G₄–³H₅) was found in Pr₂S₃ doped glasses. The intensity of this band was rising with doping by Yb³⁺ ions. The possible mechanism of the luminescence enhancement is suggested.     

Mechanical improvement of P(VDF-TrFE) /nickel nanowires conductive nanocomposites: Influence of particles aspect ratio

Nickel nanowires with high aspect ratio (250) were elaborated and incorporated into poly(vinylidene difluoride-trifluoroethylene) up to 30 vol% via solvent mixing way. These nanocomposites are characterized by a conductive behavior with a high electrical conductivity value (10² S m^?1) above a very low percolation threshold (0.75 vol% of metallic nanowires). The introduction of nanowires strongly depressed the matrix crystallinity. Static and dynamic mechanical analysis have been realized at low nanowire volume fraction (< 10 vol%). Below 5 vol% of nanowires, nanocomposites remain ductile. The dynamic mechanical properties are related to the volume fraction of nanowires. A strong increase of the viscoelastic contribution related to the increase of the percentage of amorphous phase is observed. The major effect is the increase of the rubbery modulus. The highest increase of 300% is obtained for only 5 vol% of nanowires; it represents an original mechanical result for low filled composites. The dependence versus nanowire content has been described by adapting the Halpin–Tsai model to high aspect ratio filler. Metallic nanowires create additional entanglements that are randomly distributed in the rubbery polymeric matrix. With their low percolation threshold, metallic nanowires based nanocomposites constitute a new class of multifunctional materials with a high conductivity associated with a ductile polymer matrix characterized by a high rubbery modulus.