Photo-Responsive Behavior of Azobenzene Based Polar Hockey-Stick-Shaped Liquid Crystals

A study on the photoswitching behavior of azobenzene-based polar hockey-stick-shaped liquid crystals (HSLCs) has been presented. Two new series of five phenyl rings based polar HSLCs have been designed and synthesized. Solution state photoisomerization of the synthesized materials was investigated thoroughly via UV-visible and ¹H NMR spectroscopic techniques, whereas solid-state photochromic behavior was elucidated via physical color change of the materials, solid-state UV-visible study, powder XRD, and FE-SEM techniques. The materials exhibited decent photochromic behavior for different potential applications. The thermal phase behavior of the superstructural assembly has been characterized via polarizing optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and temperature-dependent small and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) studies. Depending upon the length of the terminal alkyl chain, nematic (N) and partially bilayer smectic A (SmA_d) phases were observed. DFT calculations revealed the favorable anti-parallel arrangement of the polar molecules that substantiate the formation of SmA_d phase.     

Langmuir-Blodgett films as aligning layers for homeotropic alignment of liquid crystal molecules

The first single crystal structure of a Group VA halide salt with three equivalent long n-alkyl chains, benzyltrioctadecylammonium bromide (BzN18Br), is reported. It consists of alternating interdigitated and non-interdigitated regions of alkyl chains separated by ionic planes. Two chains per molecule are paired and extend to one side in a non-interdigitated region. The third chain is on the opposite side of the ionic plane and pairs intermolecularly to form an adjacent, interdigitated region. The thickness of two nearly extended molecules defines the bilayer unit-two ionic planes flanked by a region with intramolecularly paired chains and separated by an interdigitated chain region. Powder X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy data of liquid crystalline BzN18Br are consistent with an enantiotropic smectic A₂ (SmA₂) phase: the three n-alkyl chains of each molecule are projected from one side of an ionic plane, and head groups of neighbouring molecules are oriented head-to-head, in a non-interdigitated bilayer assembly. The structure of BzN18Br fills an important gap in our knowledge about the crystal packing of ammonium and phosphonium salts with one-four equivalent long n-alkyl chains. A comparison of their packing arrangements is made and the transitional nature of the BzN18Br structures is demonstrated. Although salts with one, two, or three long n-alkyl chains form SmA₂ phases, each is distinctive in its molecular packing. A large molecular reorganization accompanies the crystal-to-liquid crystal transition of BzN18Br.     

Optically Biaxial,Re‐entrant and Frustrated Mesophases in Chiral,Non‐symmetric Liquid Crystal Dimers and Binary Mixtures

Sixteen optically active, non‐symmetric dimers, in which cyanobiphenyl and salicylaldimine mesogens are interlinked by a flexible spacer, were synthesized and characterized. While the terminal chiral tail, in the form of either (R)‐2‐octyloxy or (S)‐2‐octyloxy chain attached to salicylaldimine core, was held constant, the number of methylene units in the spacer was varied from 3 to 10 affording eight pairs of (R & S) enantiomers. They were probed for their thermal properties with the aid of orthoscopy, conoscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray powder diffraction. In addition, the binary mixture study was carried out using chiral and achiral dimers with the intensions of stabilizing optically biaxial phase/s, re‐entrant phases and important phase sequences. Notably, one of the chiral dimers as well as some mixtures exhibited a biaxial smectic A (SmA_b) phase appearing between a uniaxial SmA and a re‐entrant uniaxial SmA phases. The mesophases such as chiral nematic (N*) and frustrated phases viz., blue phases (BPs) and twist grain boundary (TGB) phases, were also found to occur in most of the dimers and mixtures. X‐ray diffraction studies revealed that the dimers possessing oxybutoxy and oxypentoxy spacers show interdigitated (SmA_d) phase where smectic periodicity is over 1.4 times the molecular length; whereas in the intercalated SmA (SmA_c) phase formed by a dimer having oxydecoxy spacer the periodicity was found to be approximately half the molecular length. The handedness of the helical structure of the N* phases formed by two enantiomers was examined with the aid of CD measurements; as expected, these enantiomers showed optical activities of equal magnitudes but with opposite signs. Overall, it appears that the chiral dimers and mixtures presented herein may serve as model systems in design and developing novel materials exhibiting the apolar SmA_b phase possessing D_2h symmetry and nematic‐type biaxiality.     

Non‐symmetric liquid crystal dimers containing the 4‐nitrobenzohydrazide group: synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour

The synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour are reported of a new series of dimers containing 4‐nitrobenzohydrazide and azobenzene groups as the mesogenic units. These non‐symmetric liquid crystal dimers are found to exhibit a monolayer smectic A phase (SmA₁). Lateral hydrogen bonding and strong dipole–dipole interactions are shown to be the major driving forces for the formation of the SmA₁ phase. The present study indicates that the intermolecular interactions and thus the mesophase morphology of the liquid crystal dimers can be controlled by the appropriate selection of the molecular fragments capable of forming H‐bonds.     

A novel type of optically active helical liquid crystalline polymers: Synthesis and characterization of poly(p‐phenylene)s containing terphenyl mesogen with different terminal groups

Series of poly(p‐phenylene)s (PPPs) containing terphenyl mesogenic pendants with cyano and methoxy terminal groups by flexible ? COO(CH₂)₆O? bridge [ P(CN) and P(OCH₃) ] are synthesized through Yamamoto polycondensation with Ni‐based complex catalysts. The effects of the structural variation on their properties, especially their mesomorphism, ultraviolet–visible (UV), and photoluminescence behaviors, are studied. All of the polymers are stable, losing little of their weights when heated to ≥340 °C. The polymers show good solubility and can be dissolved in common solvents. P(CN) with cyano terminal group shows enantiotropic SmA_d phase with bilayer packing arrangement, while P(OCH₃) with methoxy terminal group readily forms nematic and SmA_d phase when heated and cooled. Photoexcitation of their solutions induces strong blue light emission. Compared with P(OCH₃) , the light‐emitting bands of polymer P(CN) is slightly redshifted to 428 nm and the emission intensity of P(CN) is much stronger, due to the existence of donor–acceptor pairs. More interestingly, both of the polymers exhibit obvious Cotton effect on the CD spectra, resulting from the predominant screw sense of the backbone. This indicates that the bulky mesogenic pendant orientating around the backbone will force the main chain with helical conformation in the long region due to steric crowdedness. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4723–4735, 2009     

Tyrosine‐Based Ionic Liquid Crystals: Switching from a Smectic A to a Columnar Mesophase by Exchange of the Spherical Counterion

Synthetic strategies were developed to prepare l ‐tyrosine‐based ionic liquid crystals with structural variations at the carboxylic and phenolic OH groups as well as the amino functionality. Salt metathesis additionally led to counterion variation. The liquid‐crystalline properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and X‐ray diffraction (WAXS, SAXS). The symmetrical ILC chlorides bearing the same alkyl chain at both the ester and ether but either an acyclic or cyclic guanidinium group displayed enantiotropic SmA₂ mesophases with phase widths of 31–88 K irrespective of the head group. It was particularly the replacement of chloride in the acyclic guanidinium ILC by hexafluorophosphate that induced a phase change from SmA₂ to Col_r. This phase change was attributed to a higher curvature of the interface due to the larger anion, which increased the effective head group cross‐sectional area of the amphiphilic ILC. The unsymmetrical acyclic guanidinium chlorides, bearing a constant C₁₄ ester and variable alkyl chains on the phenolic position, formed enantiotropic SmA₂ phases. The derivative with the largest difference in chain lengths, however, displayed a Col_r phase, resulting from discoid aggregates of the cone‐shaped guanidinium chloride. The results are discussed in terms of the packing parameters, which indicate that the phase behaviour of the thermotropic tyrosine‐based ILCs shows analogies to those of lyotropic liquid crystals.     

Induction of ionic smectic C phases: a systematic study of alkyl-linked guanidinium-based liquid crystals

A series of ionic liquid crystals with an alkoxy biphenyl unit tethered via an alkyl spacer to a guanidinium head group were synthesised and the mesomorphic properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarising optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD; WAXS and SAXS). Whereas all symmetrical guanidinium chlorides with the same chain lengths in alkyl tail and spacer displayed enantiotropic SmA₂ phases, monotropic SmC₂ phases with 1–2 K temperature range were only formed for chain lengths ≥ C₁₀. Shifting the calamitic core more closely to the ionic head group by decreasing the tether length and simultaneously increasing the terminal alkyl chain improved the stability of both SmA and SmC phases considerably and led to enantiotropic SmC phases for the guanidinium chloride with C₁₄ alkyl tail and C₆ spacer. An even more pronounced effect was detected during anion exchange. Bromide, iodide, hexafluorophosphate, thiocyanate and triflate suppressed any SmC phase, whereas tetrafluoroborate behaved similar to chloride maintaining the SmC phase. However, acetate stabilised the SmC phase at the expense of the SmA phase. Based on temperature-dependant XRD measurements, a bilayer structure was proposed.     

A simple molecular model for N-SmAd-NdRe-N1Re-SmA1 phase sequence in highly polar compounds

Our earlier model of re-entrant liquid crystalline phases exhibited by highly polar compounds, in which the mutual orientation of near-neighbour molecules can change from an antiparallel to a parallel configuration, has been extended to include both nematic and smectic interactions. We show that, as the McMillan parameter alpha is decreased, the SmA_d-SmA₁ line goes over to the SmA_d-N_1Re line, finally becoming the N_dRe-N_1Re transition line, the latter ending in a critical point. This sequence is in agreement with the predictions of Prost's Landau model as well as with an experimental result. The phase sequence N-SmA_d-N_dRe-N_1Re-SmA₁ is obtained on cooling for a range of alpha_A values.     

Synergism in the solvent extraction of samarium by thenoyltrifluoroacetone and triphenyl or trioctyl phosphine oxide mixture

Synergistic extraction of samarium with TTA(HA) and TPPO or TOPO (B) mixtures were investigated. The extracted complex was proved to have the general formula SmA₃ · 2B. A graphical determination for the formation constants of these complexes gave the values 3.9 × 10¹³ and 8.2 × 10¹⁰ for SmA₃ · 2TOPO and SmA₃ · 2TPPO in benzene, respectively.     

Self‐Assembly of Imidazolium‐Based Rodlike Ionic Liquid Crystals: Transition from Lamellar to Micellar Organization

By using aryl‐amination chemistry, a series of rodlike 1‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazole‐based liquid crystals (LCs) and related imidazolium‐based ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) has been prepared. The number and length of the C‐terminal chains (at the noncharged end of the rodlike core) and the length of the N‐terminal chain (on the imidazolium unit in the ILCs) were modified and the influence of these structural parameters on the mode of self‐assembly in LC phases was investigated by polarizing microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray diffraction. For the single‐chain imidazole derivatives nematic phases (N) and bilayer SmA₂ phases were found, but upon increasing the number of alkyl chains the LC phases were lost. For the related imidazolium salts LC phases were preserved upon increasing the number and length of the C‐terminal chains and in this series it leads to the phase sequence SmA–columnar (Col)–micellar cubic (Cub_I/Pm3n). Elongation of the N‐terminal chain gives the reversed sequence. Short N‐terminal chains prefer an end‐to‐end packing of the mesogens in which these chains are separated from the C‐terminal chains. Elongation of the N‐terminal chain leads to a mixing of N‐ and C‐terminal chains, which is accompanied by complete intercalation of the aromatic cores. In the smectic phases this gives rise to a transition from bilayer (SmA₂) to monolayer smectic (SmA) phases. For the columnar and cubic phases the segregated end‐to‐end packing leads to core–shell aggregates. In this case, elongation of the N‐terminal chains distorts core–shell formation and removes Cub_I and Col phases in favor of single‐layer SmA phases. Hence, by tailoring the length of the N‐terminal chain, a crossover from taper‐shaped to polycatenar LC tectons was achieved, which provides a powerful tool for control of self‐assembly in ILCs.     

Effects of nonionic sugar surfactants on the phase transition of DPPC membranes

The influence of newly synthesized N-alkanoyl-N-methyllactitolamines (decanoyl [C₁₀MELA], lauoroyl [C₁₂MELA] and miristoyl [C₁₄MELA]) on the thermotropic phase transition of phosphatidylcholine bilayer was compared with common sugar-based surfactants N-dodecyl-β-d-glucopyranoside [C12G1] and decanoyl-N-methyl glucamide [MEGA-10]. The results indicate that C_nMELA are very active at the membrane surface and disturb the phospholipid bilayer structure less than commercially used MEGA-10 and C12G1.     

Alterations in phospholipid bilayers caused by sodium dodecyl sulphate/triton X-100 mixed systems

The mechanisms governing the subsolubilizing and solubilizing interaction of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)/Triton X-100 mixtures and phosphatidylcholine liposomes were investigated. Permeability alterations were detected as a change in 5(6)-carboxy-fluorescein (CF) released from the interior of vesicles and bilayer solubilization as a decrease in the static light-scattered by liposome suspensions. Three parameters were described as the effective surfactant/lipid molar ratios (Re) at which the surfactant system a) resulted in 50% of CF release (Re _50%CF); b) saturated the liposomes (Re _SAT;c) led to a complete solubilization of these structures (Re _SOL). From these parameters the corresponding surfactant partition coefficientsK _50%CF,K _SAT andK _SOL were determined. The free surfactant concentrationsS _W were lower than the mixed surfactant CMCs at subsolubilizing level, whereas they remained similar to these values during saturation and solubilization of bilayers in all cases. Although theRe increased as the mole fraction of the SDS rose (X _SDS), theK parameters showed a maximum atX _SDS values of about 0.6, 0.4 and 0.2 forK _50%CF,K _SAT andK _SOL respectively. Thus, the higher the surfactant contribution in surfactant/lipid system, the lower theX _SDS at which a maximum bilayer/water partitioning of mixed surfactant systems added took place and, consequently, the lower the influence of the SDS in this maximum bilayer/water partitioning.Abbreviations PC Phosphatidylcholine - PIPES piperazine-1,4 bis (2-ethanesulphonic acid) - SDS sodium dodecyl sulphate - X _SDS mole fraction of sodium dodecyl sulphate in the mixed system - CF 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein - Re effective surfactant/lipid molar ratio - Re _50%CF effective surfactant/lipid molar ratio for 50% CF release - Re _SAT effective surfactant/lipid molar ratio for bilayer saturation - Re _SOL effective surfactant/lipid molar ratio for bilayer solubilization - S _W surfactant concentration in the aqueous medium - S _{W, 50%CF} surfactant concentration in the aqueous medium for 50% CF release - S _{W, SAT} surfactant concentration in the aqueous medium for bilayer saturation - S _{W, SOL} surfactant concentration in the aqueous medium for bilayer solubilization - S _B surfactant concentration in the bilayers - K bilayer/aqueous phase surfactant partition coefficient - K _50%CF bilayer/aqueous phase surfactant partition coefficient for 50% CF release - K _SAT bilayer/aqueous phase surfactant partition coefficient for bilayer saturation - K _SOL bilayer/aqueous phase surfactant partition coefficient for bilayer solubilization - PL phospholipid TLC-FID, thin-layer chromatography/flame ionization detection system - PI polydispersity index - CMC critical micellar concentration - r ² regression coefficient     

Assembly properties of Triton X-100/phosphatidylcholine aggregates during liposome solubilization

The assembly properties of the nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 and phosphatidylcholine (PC) aggregates during the overall solubilization process of PC liposome were investigated. Permeability alterations were detected as a change in 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF) released from the interior of vesicles and bilayer solubilization as a decrease in the static light scattered by liposome suspensions. A direct dependence was established between the bilayer/aqueous phase surfactant partition coefficients (K), the growth of vesicles and the leakage of entrapped CF in the initial interaction steps (surfactant to phospholipid molar ratioRe up to 0.2). These changes may be related to the increasing presence of surfactant molecules in the outer monolayer of vesicles. In theRe range 0.2–0.35 the coexistence of a low vesicle growth with a constant increase of CF release may be correlated with the decrease inK (increased rate of flip-flop of surfactant molecules). Furthermore, in theRe range between 0.64 and 2.0 (lytic levels) almost a linear dependence was detected between the composition of these aggregates (Re) and the decrease in both the surfactant-PC aggregate size and the static light scattered by the system. This dependence was not observed in the last solubilization steps (Re range 2.0–2.60) possibly due to the increased formation of mixed micelles in this interval. The fact that the free Triton X-100 concentration at sublytic and lytic levels showed respectively lower and similar values than its critical micelle concentration confirms that permeability alterations and solubilization were determined respectively by the action of surfactant monomer and by the formation of mixed micelles.Abbreviations PC phosphatidylcholine - PIPES piperazine-1,4 bis(2-ethanesulphonic acid) - T_X-100 Triton X-100 - CF 5(6)-carboxyflucrescein - Re enective surfactant/lipid molar ratio - Re _SAT effective surfactant/lipid molar ratio for bilayer saturation - Re _SOL enective surfactant/lipid molar ratio for bilayer solubilization - S _W surfanctant concentration in the aqueous medium - S _B surfactant concentration in the bilayers - S _T total surfactant concentration - K bilayer/aqueous phase surfactant partition coefficient - K _SAT bilayer/aqneous phase surfactant partition coefficient for bilayer saturation - K _SOL bilayer/aqueous phase surfactant partition coefficient for bilayer solubilization - PL phospholipid - TLC-FID thinlayer chromatography/flame ionization detection system - PI polydispersity index - CMC critical micellar concentration - r ² regression coefficient     

Impairing effect of fibrinogen on the mono-/bi-layer form of bovine lung surfactant

Lung surfactant (LS), a lipid–protein mixture responsible for alveolar stability, is inhibited by serum proteins leaked into the lungs in disease. Interaction of bovine lipid extract surfactant (BLES), a clinical replacement lung surfactant, with serum protein fibrinogen (Fbg) was studied employing various structural and biophysical techniques in adsorbed films and bulk bilayer dispersions. Surface tension area isotherms of the adsorbed films revealed the suppression of interfacial activity of BLES by Fbg (adsorption and surface tension reduction). Fbg, predominantly associated with the fluid phase of BLES films, resulted in the aggregation of the gel lipid domains as evidenced by atomic force microscopy. BLES bilayer dispersion showed phase transition from a diffused gel to liquid–crystalline phase in the temperature range 10–35 °C as studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Fbg resulted in the shift of peak to a higher transition temperature for the maximal heat flow (T _max) of BLES dispersions. Combined Raman and FTIR spectral studies of the BLES/Fbg dispersions revealed that Fbg altered the –CH₂–, –CH₃, and –PO₄ ^? vibrational modes of the phospholipids present in BLES, suggesting the condensing and dehydrating effect of the protein on surfactant. Studies suggest that Fbg, by directly interacting with the gel lipids in LS in bulk dispersions, alter the packing of the films formed at the interface, and can be used as a specific model for lung disease.     

Study of the mesomorphic behaviour through the structure modification of azo and acetylene pyridinium and imidazolium-based ionic liquid crystals

ABSTRACT

In this work, 14 pyridinium and imidazolium-based ionic liquid crystal (ILC) with azo (N=N) and acetylene (C≡C) as linking group were synthesised in high yields and completely characterised. The structure of the molecules were planned in order to allow a complete investigation on how modifications such as presence and position of charges, linking group, number of alkoxy chains and their length affect the thermal stability and liquid crystalline behaviour. All compounds were thoroughly investigated using polarised optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). While the presence of charges favoured a liquid crystalline behaviour, especially SmA (and SmA₂) phase, a decrease of thermal stability was noticed. A strong dependence of the charge position and a preference for monolayer or bilayer molecular organisation was observed. On the other hand, it was demonstrated that the addition of a second alkoxy chain promoted layer distortions in some molecules, resulting in the formation of Smà and Cub phases. Also a direct comparison between the N=N and C≡C linking groups was realised, along with further comparison with literature data. The structure–properties are investigated in detail.     

New Architecture of Liquid‐Crystalline Polymers from Fluorinated Vinylcyclopropanes

A new class of fluorinated polymers was prepared by radical ring‐opening homopolymerization of vinylcyclopropane monomers with a perfluorinated (CF₂)_nF chain (n = 6, 8, or 10). The polymers were in fact copolymers composed of 1,5‐linear and cyclobutane isomer units, the relative content of which depended on n. Surprisingly, they formed liquid‐crystalline mesophases (SmB_d and/or SmA_d), which was attributed to phase separation of the incompatible fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon components of the repeat unit.     

Electrical conductivity and phase transitions of the solid electrolyte system (Cs1−yRby)Cu4Cl3(I2−xClx)

Results of electrical conductivity measurements, thermal analysis, and X-ray diffraction studies indicate the existence of four phases, between 295 K and the melting points, in the system (Cs_1?yRb_y)Cu₄Cl₃I₂. These phases are designated α, á β, γ in order of decreasing temperature. The α phase is isostructural with α-RbAg₄I₅; the á phase is also cubic and very likely belongs to space groupP2₁3, a subgroup ofP4₁32 andP4₃32 to which the α phase belongs. There is a high probability that the á → α transition is continuous. The á → α transition is not discernible in the conductivity measurements or thermal analysis; therefore the line of á-α transitions is presently unknown. The β phase transforms to the á and the γ phase transforms to the β phase wheny ≤ 0.36; the γ phase transforms to the α phase wheny ≥ 0.36. That is, there is a triple point aty = 0.36, T = 399K. The γ-β, β-α′, and γ-α transitions are all hysteretic and are therefore first order. The conductivities of the β phases are relatively low and the enthalpies of activation relatively high. The conductivity of the β phase decreases with increasingy. The β phase probably belongs to space groupR3, in which the Cu⁺ ions can be ordered. The α and á phases are the true solid electrolytes; the conductivities are high, >0.73 Ω^?1cm^?1 at 419 K, and the enthalpies of activation of motion of the Cu⁺ ions low, 0.11 eV.In the system CsCu₄Cl₃(I_2?xCl_x), 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25, the Cl^? for I^? substitutions affect the transitions to only a small extent relative to the stoichiometric compound. The β phase occurs for allx and transforms to á.     

Phase Diagram and Phase Transitions in the Relaxor Ferroelectric Pb(Fe2/3W1/3)O3-PbTiO3 System

A complete solid solution between relaxor ferroelectric Pb(Fe_2/3W_1/3)O₃ (PFW) and ferroelectric PbTiO₃ (PT), (1−x)PFW-xPT, was synthesized by a B-site precursor method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and dielectric measurements. A phase diagram between PFW and PT has been established. The diffuse phase transition temperature (T_max≈180 K) of PFW was found to continuously increase with the increasing amount of Ti⁴⁺ ions on the B-site. At the same time, the relaxor ferroelectric behavior of PFW is gradually transformed toward a normal ferroelectric state, as evidenced by sharp and nondispersive peaks of dielectric permittivity around T_C for x≥0.25. At room temperature, a transition from a cubic to a tetragonal phase takes place with x increased up to 0.25. A morphotropic phase boundary is located within the composition interval 0.25≤x≤0.35, which separates a pseudocubic (rhombohedral) phase from a tetragonal phase.     

Synthesis and thermal analysis of disubstituted propiolates bearing terphenylene mesogen

Novel disubstituted propiolates bearing chromophoric terphenylene mesogenic groups, namely, 4′-cyano-4-terphenylyl-2-octynate M(CN) and 4′-methoxyl-4-terphenylyl-2-octynate M(OCH₃) are synthesized, where the terphenyl groups are connected to the C≡C through ester linkage directly. Using transition-metal catalysts such as the classical MoCl₅- and WCl₆-based metathesis catalysts, the polymerization of the M(CN) and M(OCH₃) are carried out in a series of different solution, however, did not obtain any products. It suggests that the WCl₆- and MoCl₅-based catalysts are poisoned by the polar groups, on the other hand, the bulk terphenyl groups and the long alkyl chain around the C≡C bond might inhibit the reaction. M(CN) displays monotropic nematicity, whereas M(OCH₃) exhibits enantiotropic nematicity and smecticity (SmA_d) with a bilayer arrangement when cooled and heated. Ultraviolet spectroscopy and photoluminescence measurements also show that the terphenyl groups endow disubstituted propiolates with strong UV light absorption and high photoluminescence.     

Synthesis, Structures, and Thermal Expansion of the La2W2−xMoxO9 Series

The La₂W_2−xMo_xO₉ series has been synthesized by the ceramic method. An alternative synthesis using microwave radiation is also reported. La₂W₂O₉ has two polymorphs and the low-temperature phase (α) transforms to the high-temperature form (β) at 1077°C. The influence of the W/Mo substitution in this phase transition has been investigated by DTA. The β structure for x≥0.7 compositions can be prepared as single phase at any cooling rate. The β phase for 0.3≤x≤0.7 compounds can be prepared as single phase by quenching, whereas a mixture of α and β phases is obtained by slow cooling. The W/Mo ratio in both coexisting phases is different with the β-phase having a higher Mo content. The x=0.1 and 0.2 compounds have been prepared as mixtures of phases. The room temperature structure of β-La₂W_1.7Mo_0.3O₉ has been analyzed by the Rietveld method in P2₁3 space group. The final R-factors were R_WP=9.0% and R_F=5.6% with a structure similar to that of β-La₂Mo₂O₉. Finally, the thermal expansion of both types of structures has been determined from a thermodiffractometric study. The thermal expansion coefficients were 2.9×10⁻⁶ and 9.7×10⁻⁶°C⁻¹ for α-La₂W₂O₉ and β-La₂W_1.2Mo_0.8O₉, respectively.