Asymmetric dimeric liquid crystals The preparation and properties of the α-(4-cyanobiphenyl-4'-oxy)-ω-(4-n-alkylanilinebenzylidene-4'-oxy)hexanes

Abstract

The first eleven members of the homologous series of α-(4-cyanobiphenyl-4'-oxy)-ω-(4-n-alkylanilinebenzylidene-4'-oxy)hexanes have been synthesized. The compounds are all enantiotropic nematogens and, with the exception of the heptyl, octyl and nonyl homologues, exhibit smectic phases. The thermal stability of the smectic A phase initially increases with the length of the terminal alkyl chain, passes through a maximum and then falls dramatically before disappearing. The smectic A phase subsequently reappears with the decyl homologue which has the highest smectic A-nematic transition temperature of the series. In order to understand this unusual behavior we have determined the entropies of transition for the compounds and we have measured the layer spacing of the smectic A phase for three of them.     

Liquid crystalline properties of asymmetric molecules: II. Smectic properties of 4-alkoxyphenyl 4-(4-trifluoromethylbenzoyloxy)benzoates

The thermal properties of a homologous series of 4-alkoxy-phenyl 4-(4-trifluoromethylbenzoyloxy)benzoates were examined. The homologues show remarkable smectic properties involving a smectic A and a higher order smectic phase characterized by microscopic and X-ray experiments, indicating that the molecules have a partially bilayer arrangement in both smectic phases. Based on these results, molecular arrangements of the two smectic phases are proposed. The effects of the trifluoromethyl group on the thermal properties of the smectic and crystalline phases are discussed in terms of the fluorophilic interaction around the boundary of the smectic layer.     

The substituent effect on mesomorphic properties of 4-octyloxyphenyl 4-(4-R-3-nitrobenzoyloxy)benzoates and 4-(4-octyloxybenzoyloxy)phenyl 4-R-3-nitrobenzoates

The thermal properties of 4-octyloxyphenyl 4-(4-R-3-nitrobenzoyloxy) benzo-ates (1) and 4-(4-octyloxybenzoyloxy)phenyl 4-R-3-nitrobenzoates (2) have been examined, where R = hydrogen, halogens, alkyl and alkoxy groups. The derivatives of compound 1 incorporating hydrogen, halogens, methoxy and nitro groups show a smectic A phase having a bilayer arrangement, and the others with a long alkoxy group show the S_A phase with the monolayer arrangement. The derivatives of compound 2 incorporating halogens, and the nitro group show the S_A phase with the monolayer arrangement. The alkoxy derivatives show a smectic C phase as well as the nematic phase. The nitro group at the lateral position tends to increase the ratio of the S_A-N transition temperature to the N-I. The effect of the nitro group on the smectic properties has been discussed in terms of the structural and electrostatic nature of the nitro group.     

Effect of terminal polar substituents on the nature of smectic A liquid crystals of a series of 4-(4'-octyloxybenzoyloxy)benzylidene-4'-substituted anilines

The nature of smectic A liquid crystals and the phase transitions from smectic A to nematic phases are studied in the homologous series of 4-(4'-octyloxy-benzoyloxy)benzylidene-4'-substituted anilines, in which the substituents are H, F, Cl, Br, I, NO₂ and CN. Measurements have been performed for the dipole moment of the molecule, the smectic A lattice period, the temperatures and the entropies of phase transitions, and the temperature dependence of the orientational order parameter, all of which provide information on the intermolecular pair potentials. It is shown that the introduction of a terminal polar substituent brings about counteracting contributions to the stability of the smectic A state. It is suggested that the reentrant nematic phase transition can appear in the strongly polar mesogens if the extent of antiparallel association of the molecules increases on lowering the temperature.     

Carborane-containing liquid crystals: a comparison of 4-octyloxy-4-(12-pentyl-1,12-dicarbadodecaboran-1-yl)biphenyl with its hydrocarbon analogues

4-Octyloxy-4-(12-pentyl-1,12-dicarbadodecaboran-1-yl)biphenyl ( 1BC ) has been synthesized along with three hydrocarbon analogues in which the 1,12-dicarbadodecaborane is replaced by a phenyl ( 1PH ), trans -cyclohexyl ( 1CH ) or bicyclo\[2.2.2]octyl ( 1BO ) ring. The mesogenic properties of these materials have been compared and contrasted in both their pure states and as binary mixtures. The binary phase diagrams for the liquid crystal 1BC , with its hydrocarbon analogues 1CH and 1BO exhibit excellent miscibility of the smectic A phase while the more highly ordered smectic phases (SmB and SmE) for the hydrocarbons are suppressed by 1BC . In contrast the binary mixture of 1BC with the terphenyl analog ( 1PH ) exhibits complex behaviour in which the thermal stability of the smectic E phase is enhanced. X-ray diffraction data for the 1PH - 1BC binary mixture suggest a strong in-plane molecular ordering which might be attributed to intermolecular associations stabilizing the smectic E phase in preference to other smectic modifications.     

The substituent effect on mesomorphic properties of 4-octyloxyphenyl 4-(4-R-3-nitrobenzoyloxy)benzoates and 4-(4-octyloxybenzoyloxy)phenyl 4-R-3-nitrobenzoates

Abstract

The thermal properties of 4-octyloxyphenyl 4-(4-R-3-nitrobenzoyloxy) benzo-ates (1) and 4-(4-octyloxybenzoyloxy)phenyl 4-R-3-nitrobenzoates (2) have been examined, where R = hydrogen, halogens, alkyl and alkoxy groups. The derivatives of compound 1 incorporating hydrogen, halogens, methoxy and nitro groups show a smectic A phase having a bilayer arrangement, and the others with a long alkoxy group show the S_A phase with the monolayer arrangement. The derivatives of compound 2 incorporating halogens, and the nitro group show the S_A phase with the monolayer arrangement. The alkoxy derivatives show a smectic C phase as well as the nematic phase. The nitro group at the lateral position tends to increase the ratio of the S_A-N transition temperature to the N-I. The effect of the nitro group on the smectic properties has been discussed in terms of the structural and electrostatic nature of the nitro group.     

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.     

聚｛11-[(4′-正庚氧基-4-联苯基)羰基]氧-1-十一炔｝的相结构与相转变

采用示差扫描量热法(DSC)、一维(1D)、二维(2D)广角X-射线衍射(WAXD)和偏光显微镜(PLM)等研究手段对聚{11-[(4′-正庚氧基-4-联苯基)羰基]氧-1-十一炔}(PA-9,7)的本体相转变和相结构进行研究,并采用分子动力学方法对相结构进行模拟.结果表明,样品的相转变为近晶B相(SmB)近晶A相(SmA)各向同性态(Iso).在近晶B相中,侧链在层状结构中排列成具有六次对称性的准长程有序结构。     

Influence of the smectic A-nematic transitional order on the formation of the smectic phases of 4-n-hexyloxybenzylidene-4′-n-butyIaniline and 4-n-butyloxybenzylidene-4′-n-octyIaniline from an electrically deformed nematic phase

Abstract

The crucial role of the smectic A-nematic transitional order for the formation of the smectic A, B and G phases from an electrically deformed nematic phase of the liquid crystal 4-n-hexyloxy-benzylidene-4′-n-butylaniline (6O.4) with a typical smectic A-nematic first order transition and the formation of the smectic A and B phases from an electrically deformed nematic phase of the liquid crystal (4-n-butyloxy-benzylidene-4′-n-octylaniline (40.8) with a smectic A-nematic second order transition has been demonstrated. The nematic phase was deformed by an AC voltage of 2U,_th 5U _th and 10U _th, where U _th is the threshold voltage which causes the appearance of the Fréedericksz transition in the homeotropic nematic layer. The smectic textures have been observed on free cooling of the nematic phase or after the use of an oven. The smectic A phase of the liquid crystal 60.4 was observed with the formation of a clear smectic A-nematic phase boundary while the smectic A phase of the liquid crystal 40.8 has been formed from intermediate pretransitional stripes, observed by Cladis and Torza [1]. The homeotropic anchoring of the direction was crucial for the formation of the smectic phases of the liquid crystal 40.8 but not significant for the liquid crystal 60.4.     

Mesomorphic behaviour of 1,3-phenylene bis[4-(4-alkoxyphenyliminomethyl)benzoates] and related compounds

DSC and X-ray diffraction studies on a series of 1,3-phenylene bis[4-(4-alkoxyphenyliminomethyl)benzoates] are presented. The only mesophase exhibited by the methoxy to hexadecyloxy homologues is of the smectic C type. The reversal of the iminomethyl linkage reduces drastically the incidence of a mesophase; that is, only the first five homologous members exhibit a smectic C phase in the series of 1,3-phenylene bis[4-(4-alkoxybenzylideneamino)benzoates]. Almost all the members in the second series become nematogenic by the chloro substitution at the 4-position of the 1,3-phenylene moiety. In addition, a smectic C phase is observable for the ethoxy to pentyloxy and also the tetradecyloxy and hexadecyloxy members. The second chloro-substituent introduced to the 6-position of the same central ring eliminates completely the smectic C phase and enhances the nematic thermal stability.     

Liquid crystalline properties of 4-hexyloxybenzylidene-4'-alkyloxyanilines

The liquid-crystalline polymorphism of the homologous series of 4-hexyloxybenzylidene-4'-alkyloxyanilines is investigated. Basing on the polarization microscopy (POM, TOA), the DSC calorimetry and miscibility studies the following mesophases were detected: nematic, smectic A, smectic C and smectic I. The phase diagrams of the compounds of these series with 4-hexyloxybenylidene-4'-pentylaniline (as the standard of mesophases) show induction of the smectic F mesophases. Their dependence on the alkyl chain length and mole fraction is shown.     

The synthesis of 1-biphenyl-4-alkyl-[1,2,3]-triazoles and their mesomorphic behaviour

A series of 1-biphenyl-4-alkyl-[1,2,3]-triazole-based liquid crystal compounds were synthesised via a fast and efficient microwave mediated ‘Click Reaction’ and their phase behaviour is presented. Most of the 1-(3-fluorobiphenyl)-4-alkyl-[1,2,3]-triazole compounds exhibited a smectic A phase with relatively low transition temperatures compared to previously examined aryl-triazole-based mesogens. Small angle X-ray scattering measurement indicated the existence of deep smectic phase for some cases. Structural variations gave rise to different phase behaviour in these triazole-based compounds.     

The synthesis of liquid crystalline lanthanide complexes of Schiff's base ligands: N -(4- n -alkoxysalicylidene)-4'- n -alkylanilines

The reaction of N -(4- n -alkoxysalicylidene)-4'- n -alkylanilines with freshly prepared lanthanide salts leads to mesomorphic terbium and dysprosium complexes exhibiting the smectic A phase.     

Synthesis and characterization of 3-phenyl-4[H]-4-[one]-benzopyran (isoflavone) derivatives as potential mesogens

With few mesogenic chromone derivatives in the literature the synthesis of 7-[4'-n-alkyloxybenzoyloxy) isoflavones was carried out. The resulting homologous series was characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques. The first four members of the series only exhibit a nematic phase. In addition to the nematic phase, the smectic phase commences from the pentyloxy derivative. The decyloxy and higher derivatives only exhibit a smectic phase. The smectic phase observed in the present series is the smectic A type. Differential scanning calorimetry studies served the dual purpose of confirming the microscopic transition temperatures, as well as the calculation of the enthalpies of the various phase transitions.     

X-ray diffraction study on liquid crystals from 4-hexylphenyl 4-cyanobenzoyloxybenzoate and 4-heptyloxyphenyl 4-cyanobenzoyloxybenzoate

X-ray investigations were performed on 4-hexylphenyl 4-cyanobenzoyloxybenzoate (DB6CN) and on 4-heptyloxyphenyl 4-cyanobenzoyloxybenzoate (DB7OCN). For both compounds, the smectic A₂ structure is observed. From the small angle meridional reflections, the angular distribution of the smectic units around the normal to the smectic layers and the longitudinal correlation length were studied. The orientational order parameter is calculated from the wide angle equatorial reflections. Based on the assumption of a layer structure with undulation in the liquid crystalline smectic A phase, the relationship between the dimensionless parameters χch/dL (correlation length/thickness of the smectic layer) and FWHM/2θ₀ (full width at the half maximum/maximum point of the scattering peak) is simulated.     

Liquid crystalline properties of 4-isopropyl- and 4-isopropoxy- N -(4- n -alkoxysalicylidene)anilines

New homologous series of 4-isopropyl- and 4-isopropoxy- N -(4- n -alkoxysalicylidene)anilines were synthesized. The phase transitions of these homologues were determined by differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. No enantiotropic liquid crystalline phases were observed for homologues having a terminal isopropyl group; as the terminal alkoxyl chain is lengthened, smectic C and nematic phases occur monotropically. The members with an isopropoxy substituent exhibit an enantiotropic nematic phase as the terminal alkoxyl chain is lengthened; the octyloxy member exhibits a monotropic smectic C phase as well as an enantiotropic nematic state.     

Liquid crystals of 4-octyloxy-N-(benzylidene)aniline derivatives bearing trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy end groups

Abstract

Seven new derivatives of 4-octyloxy-N-(4-substituted benzylidene) aniline have been synthesized. 4-Trifluoromethyl and 4-trifluoromethoxy derivatives exhibit stable smectic B and A phases, respectively, while both the 4-methyl and 4-methoxy derivatives have monotropic nematic phases. Fundamental liquid crystalline properties such as entropies of the phase transitions, microscopic textures, smectic layer spacings, orientational order parameters, and molecular dipole moments were determined. It has been revealed that moderately polar nature of these mesogens act to stabilizing monolayer smectic states. The smectic A phase of 4-trifluoromethoxy derivative exhibit very high orientational order. None of the disubstituted compounds, 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl), 3,5-dimethyl, and 3,5-dimethoxy derivatives were mesogenic. The effect of terminal trifluoromethylation on the liquid crystalline properties is discussed.     

Phase effect on formation of intermediates in the pulse radiolysis of 4-cyano-4'- octylbiphenyl liquid crystals

It is shown that the reaction intermediates were formed by pulse radiolysis of 4-cyano-4'- octylbiphenyl liquid crystals. The remarkable phase effect was observed in the pulse radiolysis of the liquid crystals. The optical absorption spectrum obtained in the smectic A phase of 4-cyano-4'-octylbiphenyl had no absorption maximum in the visible region, but had an absorption increasing toward the shorter wavelengths below 400 nm, while a broad absorption band with a maximum around 550 nm was observed in the nematic phase. In the isotropic liquid phase an absorption band with a maximum at 480 nm was observed, but it was observed neither in the smectic A phase nor in the nematic phase. The absorption below 400 nm was observed in the liquid phase as well as in the smectic A phase. The assignment of the absorptions observed for each phase is discussed. Then it is suggested that the structural properties could be related to the formation and behavior of reaction intermediates.     

Liquid crystalline properties of 4‐hexyloxybenzylidene‐4′‐alkyloxyanilines

The liquid‐crystalline polymorphism of the homologous series of 4‐hexyloxybenzylidene‐4′‐alkyloxyanilines is investigated. Basing on the polarization microscopy (POM, TOA), the DSC calorimetry and miscibility studies the following mesophases were detected: nematic, smectic A, smectic C and smectic I. The phase diagrams of the compounds of these series with 4‐hexyloxybenylidene‐4′‐pentylaniline (as the standard of mesophases) show induction of the smectic F mesophases. Their dependence on the alkyl chain length and mole fraction is shown.     

Pressure-temperature phase diagrams of smectogenic 4'-alkyl-4-cyanobiphenyls (9CB, 10CB, 11CB and 12CB)

The pressure-temperature ( p - T ) phase diagrams for four smectogenic members of the 4'-alkyl-4-cyanobiphenyl homologous series ( n CB, n =9, 10, 11 and 12) over the temperature range 320-410 K and pressure range 0.1-300 MPa (3 kbar) were constructed using DTA. At 1 atm 9CB exhibits nematic and smectic A d phases, while the other members show only the smectic A d phase. However, at elevated pressures the clearing line splits in the case of 10CB and 11CB which indicates the induction of a nematic phase. It was found that the triple point, where the isotropic, nematic and smectic phases coexist, is strongly shifted to higher pressures with increasing chain length. This was interpreted as being caused by a loss of the rod-like shape of the molecules containing longer alkyl tails which explore a range of conformations. The slope of the clearing line, d T /d p , depends strongly on the length of the alkyl chain for the n CB series, but does not show a step-wise change between the nematogenic and smectogenic members.