Effect of structural changes on mesophase stability of some model compounds based on the aryl benzoate group

Compounds based on 4,4'-substituted phenylbenzoate \[ R O-C6H4COO-C6H4- X ] ( I ), where X is a cyano group and R is a terminal alkyl chain ranging from 12 to 30 carbon atoms, and alternatively where R is held at 16 carbons and X is CN, COOH, OH, COOCH2C6H4, OCH2C6H4 and OC16H33 , were prepared and their mesophase stabilities characterized. Similarly, compounds based on symmetric dimers of terminally alkoxy-substituted phenyl esters \[C16H33O-C6H5COO- A -OOCC6H5-OC16H33] ( II ), the central linkage A being 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-phenylene, and 4,4'-biphenyl, were synthesized and studied. A partial success was achieved in the synthesis of compounds similar to series II , but where the ester groups were reversed (series III ), in order to assess the influence of this structure variation on the liquid crystallinity.     

New azobenzene-based natural fatty acid liquid crystals with low melting point: synthesis,DFT calculations and binary mixtures

ABSTRACT

Three new groups of azobenzene liquid crystals named,4-[2-(4-substituted phenyl)diazenyl]phenyl hexdecanoate, 4-[2-(4-substituted phenyl)diazenyl]phenyl octadeca-9-enoate, and 4-[2-(4-substituted phenyl)diazenyl]phenyl octadeca-9,12-dienoate were prepared from naturally occurring fatty acids (palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids). All groups were investigated for their mesophase formation and thermal stability of pure compounds and their binary mixtures by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarised light microscopy (PLM) and thermogravemetric analyses (TGA). Each group contains two compounds that differ from each other by the polar substituent X (CH₃O and Cl) with different number (n) of carbons in the fatty alkyl chains. Molecular structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed via FT-IR, ¹H NMR, C¹³ NMR and elemental analysis. Mesomorphic and thermal properties were investigated. Smectic A phase is the mesophase observed in all of the compounds prepared and their binary mixtures with low melting temperatures. Moreover, DFT calculations were discussed for the prepared compounds. The results revealed that the alkyl chain of the carboxylate part does not significantly affect on the energy difference of the FMOs as well as the thermodynamic parameters. However, the high electronegative Cl substituent has significant effect on the energy difference of the FMOs and decreases the dipole moments of the prepared compounds.     

O-乙基-N-烷基-N′-乙氧羰基甲基-N′-苯磺酰基磷酰二胺酯类化合物的研究

本文报告了10种新的O-乙基-N-烷基-N′-乙氧羰基甲基-N′-苯磺酰基磷酰二胺酯类化合物EtO(R_1R_2N)P(O)N(CH_2CO_2Et)SO_2(Ⅰ)的制各方法,经~1H NMR己及元素分析证明了(Ⅰ)的结构;对合成中的“一锅法”反应进行了探讨;初步生物测试表明其中有些化合物对小麦锈病有显著的抑制作用。     

Dinuclear gold(I) isocyanide complexes with luminescent properties, and displaying thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior

Dinuclear gold(I) complexes [mu-(4,4'-CN-R-NC){Au(C6F4OC4H9)}2] [R = 1,4-phenylene, n = 8; R = 4,4'-biphenylene, 2,2'-dichloro-4,4'-biphenylene, 2,2'-dimethyl-4,4'-biphenylene, n = 4,6,8,10] have been prepared and their liquid crystal behavior and optical properties studied. Although the free ligands are not mesomorphic, all the gold(I) derivatives described, except the phenylisonitrilegold(I) derivative [mu-(1,4-CN-C6H4-NC){Au(C6F4OC8H17)}2], display liquid crystal behavior, giving rise to a nematic mesophase. The transition temperatures decrease in the order 4-4'-biphenylene > 2,2'-dichloro-4-4'-biphenylene > 2,2'dimethyl-4-4'-biphenylene. All compounds show photoluminescence in the solid state and in solution. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction structures of [mu-(4,4'-CN-R-NC){Au(C6F4OCnH2n+1)}2] (R = 4-4'-biphenylene and 2,2'-dichloro-4-4'-biphenylene) have been determined confirming the rodlike structure of the molecule, with a linear coordination around the gold atoms. There are Au...Au interactions in the 2,2'-dichlorobiphenyl derivative but not in the 4-4'-biphenyl compound.     

The molecular and crystal structure of bipolar, mesogenic biphenyls: a comparison of similar compounds HO(CH 2 ) 6 OC 6 H 4 C 6 H 4 R with R = cyano and nitro terminal groups

The crystal and molecular structures of 4,4'-disubstituted biphenyls of formula HO(CH 2 ) 6 OC 6 H 4 C 6 H 4 R with R =cyano and nitro terminal groups have been determined including co-crystallized materials of both of the compounds. The extended molecules arrange in an antiparallel fashion with dipole-dipole interactions, exhibiting a sheet-like structure for the compound with the cyano terminal group, and for the other two materials an extended head to tail string-like structure caused by dipolar interaction, also packed in sheets in an antiparallel fashion by van der Waals interactions. Knowledge of the interaction of the compounds in the crystalline state serves as a prerequisite for the determination of interactions in the liquid crystalline state of the same or similar compounds.     

含全氟烃基的联苯酯类液晶的合成及其介晶性

全氟烃或半氟烃链无手性液晶化合物可能呈现铁电液晶性, 具有较大的学术及应用价值而受到研究人员的重视. 合成了全氟己基苯甲酸联苯酯类液晶化合物: ROC₆H₄C₆H₄O₂CC₆H₄C₆F₁₃ (3a～3e), C₃H₇C₆H₄C₆H₄O₂CC₆H₄C₆F₁₃ (6a)及其烃衍生物. 用差示扫描量热法(DSC)和偏光显微镜(POM)对其介晶性研究发现: 烃衍生物呈有序度较低的向列相, 熔点较高, 清亮点较低, 液晶相较窄. 全氟烃基取代的化合物出现多个有序度较高的近晶相, 熔点较低, 清亮点高, 介晶相温度范围宽.     

Luminescence and mesogenic properties in crown-ether-isocyanide or carbene gold(I) complexes: luminescence in solution, in the solid, in the mesophase, and in the isotropic liquid state

A crown ether isocyanide CNR (R = benzo-15-crown-5) has been synthesized by dehydration of the corresponding formamide. Substitution reactions with the appropriate gold(I) precursors afford the luminescent mononuclear derivatives [AuX(CNR)] (X = Cl, C 6F 5, Br, I), [Au(C 6F 4OCH 2C 6H 4OC nH 2 n+1 - p)(CNR)] ( n = 4, 8, 10, 12), and [Au(C 6F 4OCH 2C 6H 2-3,4,5-(OC n H 2 n+1 ) 3(CNR)] ( n = 4, 8, 12). X-ray diffraction studies of [AuCl(CNR)] show the molecules associated in a tetranuclear manner with an antiparallel orientation and gold-gold distances of 3.420 and 3.427 A (Au...Au...Au angles are 121.2 degrees ). These tetranuclear units generate infinite zigzag chains through longer Au...Au distances of 3.746 A and weak C-H...O nonclassic interactions. Nucleophilic attack to the coordinated isocyanide in [AuCl(CNR)] by methanol or a primary amine produces the carbene derivatives [AuCl{C((NHR)(OMe)}] and [AuCl{C(NHR')(NHR)}] (R' = Me, n-Bu). The ether crown in these complexes is able to coordinate sodium from NaClO 4, affording the corresponding bimetallic complexes (Na/Au = 1:1). The derivatives containing one alkoxy chain are liquid crystals, displaying a smectic C mesophase (for n > 4), whereas the trialkoxy derivatives display unidentified or smectic C mesophases, depending on the alkyl chain length. After complexation of sodium salts, the mesogenic behavior is lost. All of the derivatives are luminescent at room temperature in the solid state with emission maxima in the range 405-550 nm; they emit at 77 K from 410 to 572 nm. Only the ligand and the fluoroaryl complexes emit in solution at room temperature, but all of the compounds are luminescent at 77 K. Very interestingly, some fluoroaryl derivatives with alkoxy chains are luminescent not only in the solid, and in solution, but also in the mesophase, and in the isotropic liquid at moderate temperatures. These are the first metal complexes ever reported to show luminescence in the isotropic liquid state.     

Effect of lateral bromo substituent on the phase behavior of four-ring azo/ester/azo liquid crystalline materials

ABSTRACT

In order to study the influence of lateral Br substitution on mesophase behaviour, five homologous series of 4-substituted phenylazo phenyl 4?-(3?-bromo-4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (In_a–e) have been synthesised. Within each homologous series, the alkoxy group varies from 6 to 16 carbons, while other terminal group substituents, X, are CH₃O, CH₃, H, Br and NO₂ groups; the mesophase behaviour of these series is compared with previously prepared laterally neat analogues, 4-substituted phenylazo phenyl 4?-(4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (IIn_a–e) and laterally methyl analogues, 4-substituted phenylazo phenyl 4?-(3?-methyl-4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (IIIn_a–e). Similar to lateral methyl analogues, the present series, lateral Br substitution showed that, independent of the polarity of the substituent X or the alkoxy-chain length, the nematic phase is predominant with relatively high stability and broad temperature ranges. The mesophase stability varies between 204.0°C and 335.0°C for the nematic phase and 169.6°C and 281.0°C for the SmA phase. Their total mesophase temperature ranges vary between 87.2°C and 201.4°C. All compounds were found to be thermally stable within the mesophase temperature range, except the lower homologue of the nitro and Br substituted derivatives. The obtained results are discussed in terms of molecular polarisability.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new bisphosphonic acid and several metal hybrids derivatives

Commercial bis-(4-bromophenyl)-ether, [BrC(6)H(4)](2)-O, has been used to prepare 4-[4'-(diethoxyphosphoryl)phenoxy]phenyl-phosphonic acid diethyl ester, [(CH(3)CH(2))(2)O(3)P-C(6)H(4)](2)-O, (I) following a slight modification of the Michaelis-Arbuzov reaction. The acid hydrolysis of I gave 4-(4'-phosphonophenoxy)phenyl phosphonic acid, [H(2)O(3)P-C(6)H(4)](2)-O (II), and both compounds have been characterized by (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR. The crystal structure of II has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. II crystallizes in an orthorhombic unit cell, space group Pbcn, with a = 7.822(3) A, b = 5.821(2) A, c = 28.982(9) A, and V = 1319.7(7) A(3). The final R factor was R1 = 0.0614. The structure is layered, being held together through a hydrogen bonding network. II has been used as precursor in the syntheses of new metal (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) bisphosphonates. The syntheses were carried out using a fixed metal/bisphosphonic acid molar ratio of 2.1:1 and the influence of the pH in the reactions has been studied. Nine new compounds have been isolated: Mn(2)(O(3)PC(6)H(4)OC(6)H(4)PO(3)).1.5H(2)O (III), Mn(5)(OH)(2)(O(3)PC(6)H(4)OC(6)H(4)PO(3))(2).2H(2)O (IV), Fe(HO(3)PC(6)H(4)OC(6)H(4)PO(3)).0.5H(2)O (V), Co(2)(O(3)PC(6)H(4)OC(6)H(4)PO(3)).2H(2)O (VI), Ni(2)(O(3)PC(6)H(4)OC(6)H(4)PO(3)).3H(2)O (VII), Ni(2)(O(3)PC(6)H(4)OC(6)H(4)PO(3)).2H(2)O (VIII), Cu(2)(O(3)PC(6)H(4)OC(6)H(4)PO(3)) (IX), Zn(2)(O(3)PC(6)H(4)OC(6)H(4)PO(3)) (X), and Zn(HO(3)PC(6)H(4)OC(6)H(4)PO(3)H) (XI). Compound IX crystallizes in an orthorhombic unit cell, space group Pbcn, and unit cell parameters a = 8.1012(5) A, b = 5.3109(3) A, c = 29.2595(5) A, and V = 1258.8(1) A(3). Its structure has been solved by ab initio powder diffraction and refined by the Rietveld method to R(F) = 0.042. IX has a pillared layer framework with highly distorted CuO(5) groups sharing edges to give isolated dimers. XI was indexed in a monoclinic unit cell, space group P112(1), with parameters a = 9.4991(9) A, b = 5.0445(5) A, c = 29.131(2) A, gamma = 91.945(7) degrees, and V = 1395.1(3) A(3). Its structure has been refined by the Rietveld method, R(F) = 0.054, since it is isostructural with the known compound, Zn[HO(3)P(C(6)H(4))(2)PO(3)H]. All solids were also characterized by thermal analysis and IR and UV-Vis spectroscopies.     

Synthesis and Mesophase Behavior of Phenylthiophene Based Amphiphilic Molecules

Novel amphiphilic molecules consisting of a rigid 2‐phenylthiophene core, with a polar flexible tri(oxylethylene) moiety attached to the phenyl ring and one or two alkyl chains attached to the thiophene ring at the other side have been synthesized by using Ni(II) and Pd(0) catalyzed coupling reaction as key steps. The tri(oxylethylene) moieties were terminated with hydroxyl group, sodium carboxylate group and lithium carboxylate group respectively. The thermotropic and solvent induced liquid crystalline behavior of these substances was investigated by polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction. Thereby the influence of the terminal groups attached to the tri(oxylethylene) moities as well as the influence of the length and the number of the alkyl chains on the mesophase behavior were investigated. The single alkyl chain Na‐carboxylate termianted derivatives show smectic A phases, double alkyl chain Na‐carboxylate terminated derivatives show a thermo tropic hexagonal columnar mesophase, while columnar mesophases are found in both single and double alkyl chain Li‐carbonate terminated derivatives. The model for molecular organization in the hexagonal columnar mesophase is established.     

取代环戊二烯的合成和^1HNMR谱

本文研究了苯基锂和对、间、邻甲苯基锂及对、邻甲氧苯基锂与6,6-二烷基富烯环外双键加成反应的立体效应。在室温下于乙醚溶剂中,6,6-二烷基富烯同上述芳基锂反应,形成取代环戊二烯基锂,经水解给出含或不含手性碳的叔烷基环戊二烯。     

Differentiation of isomeric substituted diaryl ethers by electron ionization and chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A series of isomeric substituted diaryl ethers, i.e., 2- or 4-NO2, 5- FC6H3OC6H4 (4-R), where R=H, COCH3, COOCH3, NO2, CHO, OCH3 etc., which comprise ortho and para isomers with respect to the position of the nitro group are studied under GC-EI-MS and CI-MS conditions. The EI mass spectra of ortho and para isomers show distinct fragment ions, where the [MOH]+ and [MOHO]+ ions specifically appeared in all spectra of the ortho isomers (I), whereas the para isomers (II) contain [MO]+ and [MNO]+ ions. The [MOHCO]+ and [MOHNO]+ ions in I, and [MNO2]+ ion in II are the other specific fragment ions observed but feasibility of these fragment ions are found to depend on the nature of the substituent (R). The substitution (R) effect is also clearly reflected in the formation of fragment ions due to sigma-cleavage process with or without hydrogen migration. Similar differences in the formation of specific fragment ions are also observed in ortho and para isomers of substituted aryl naphthyl ethers. The methane/CI of isomeric compounds resulted in the same set of fragment ions, but prominent differences are observed in the relative abundance of [MHNO]+, which is relatively higher in para isomers compared with corresponding ortho isomer.     

含烯烃配体的过渡金属卡宾配合物的研究II.异戊二烯二羰基[乙氧基(苯基)卡宾]铁配合物的异构化产物的合成,波谱和结构研究及四羰基[乙氧基(五氯苯基)卡宾]铁的晶体结构

异戊二烯三羰基铁(1)与芳基锂ArLi(Ar=C6H5,ρ-CH3C6H4,ρ-CH3OC6H4,ρ-CF3C6H4)在低温下反应,再用Et3OBF4烷基化,可获得组成为C5H8(CO)2FeC(OC2H5)Ar的标题化合物的异构化产物(2一5)。当用LiC6Cl5作亲核试剂,在相同条件下与1反应时,只生成已知的配合物(CO4)FeC(OC2H5)C6Cl5(6)。由单晶X射线衍射数据推断出, 2和6的分子结构都属于单斜晶系,Z=4. 2的空间群为C2h[5]-P21/n,a=8.544(2), b=14.494(5), c=12.309(4)`A,β=96.16(2)`;6的空间群为C2h[5]-P21/c, a=14.126(3), b=6.805(1), c=19.182(5)A,β=103.58(2)`. 2和6的结构用SHELXTL直接法程序解出并经块矩阵最小二乘法修正,R分别为0.066和0.043。     

Ruthenium bipyridyl compounds with two terminal alkynyl ligands

Compounds of the form Ru(X2bipy)(PPh3)2(-C triple bond CC6H4NO2-p)2(X2bipy = 4,4'-X(2)-2,2'-bipyridine, X = Me 3a, Br 3b, I 3c) have been synthesised from the mono-alkynyl precursors Ru(X2bipy)(PPh3)2(-C triple bond CC6H4NO2-p)Cl (X = Me 2a, Br 2b, I 2c); the former are the first ruthenium bis-alkynyl compounds that also contain a bipyridyl ligand. Spectroelectrochemical investigation of 3a shows that the metal is readily oxidised to form the ruthenium(III) compound 3a+, and will also undergo a single-electron reduction at each nitro group to form 3a2-. ESR and UV/visible spectra of these redox congeners are presented. We also report the synthesis of [Ru(Me2bipy)(PPh3)2(-C triple bond CBut)(N triple bond N)][PF6] during the attempted synthesis of Ru(Me2bipy)(PPh3)2(-C triple bond CBut)2, and report its X-ray crystal structure and IR spectrum. X-Ray crystal structures of 3b and 3c(as two different solvates) are presented, and the nature of the intermolecular interactions seen therein is discussed. Z-Scan measurements on Ru(Me2bipy)(PPh3)2(-C triple bond CR)Cl (R = C6H4NO2-p2a, But, Ph, C6H4Me) are also reported, and show that Ru(Me2bipy)(PPh3)2(-C triple bond CR)Cl (R = C6H4NO2-p2a, Ph) exhibit moderate third-order non-linearities.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a Co（II） Coordination Polymer Derived from a Flexible Bipyridyl Derivative Ligand

1 INTRODUCTION The infinite networks constructed from transition metal complexes have attracted considerable current interest in recent years. The motivation behind this activity has been stimulated by their potential appli- cations in selective inclusion of ions, molecular re- cognition, host-guest chemistry, ion exchange, cata- lysis, electrical conductivity, magnetism, optics and so on[1～4]. It is well known that the diversity in structures and topologies of supramolecules is attri- b…     

Prevalence of the alkyl/phenyl-folded conformation in benzylic compounds C6H5CH2-X-R (X=O,CH2, CO,S, SO,SO2): significance of the CH/pi interaction as evidenced by high-level ab initio MO calculations

Ab initio MO calculations were carried out to examine the conformational energies of various benzylic compounds C(6)H(5)CH(2)XR (X=O, CH(2), CO, S, SO, SO(2); R=CH(3), C(2)H(5), iC(3)H(7), tC(4)H(9)) at the MP2/6-311G(d,p)//MP2/6-31G(d) level. Rotamers with R/Ph in gauche relationship are generally more stable than the R/Ph anti rotamers. In these stable geometries, the interatomic distance in the interaction of alpha- or beta-CH in the alkyl group and the ipso-carbon atom of the phenyl ring is short. The computational results are consistent with experimental data from supersonic molecular jet spectroscopy on 3-n-propyltoluene and NMR and crystallographic data on structurally related ketones, sulfoxides, and sulfones. In view of this, the alkyl/phenyl-congested conformation of these compounds has been suggested to be a general phenomenon, rather than an exception. The attractive CH/pi interaction has been suggested to be a dominant factor in determining the conformation of simple aralkyl compounds.     

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.     

Use of some aryl and heteroaryl nitrilimines and nitrones in the synthesis of spiroheterocycles

1,3‐Dipolar cycloadditions of C‐(5‐nitro‐2‐furyl)‐N‐methyl nitrilimine (2a) , C‐(5‐nitro‐2‐furyl)‐N‐phenyl nitrilimine (2b) , C‐4‐nitrophenyl‐N‐methyl nitrilimine (2c) and C,N‐diphenyl nitrilimine (2d) with 1‐R‐substituted 3,3‐methylene‐5,5‐dimethylpyrrolidin‐2‐ones (1a‐d) where R is H, acetyl, 1,1‐dimethylethoxycarbonyl and 1‐methylethenyl proceed with complete regioselectivity in good yields to afford 1,3,7‐trisubstituted‐6‐oxo‐8,8‐dimethyl‐1,2,7‐triazaspiro[4,4]non‐2‐enes (5a‐g) exclusively. Cycloaddition of C‐(5‐nitro‐2‐furyl)‐N‐phenylnitrone (3b) to the exocyclic double bond of the dipolarophile 1a proceeds to 2‐phenyl‐3‐(5‐nitro‐2‐furyl)‐6‐oxo‐8,8‐dimethyl‐1‐oxa‐2,7‐diazaspiro[4,4]nonane (7) with complete regio‐ and stereoselectivity.     

Siloxane-supported organometallic compounds and their catalytic activities for the hydrosilylation of vinylsilanes and dienes

Two different classes of silicone-modified ligands were prepared: nitrile derivatives, 4'-[3-(organosilyl)propoxy]biphenyl-4-carbonitrile R'3SiC3H6OC6H4C6H4CN (R'3Si- = a: Me3SiOSiMe2-, b: (Me(3)SiO)2SiMe-, c: Me3SiO(Me2SiO)3SiMe2-, d: Me3SiO(Me2SiO)25SiMe2-); and, pyridine derivatives, isonicotinic acid 2-methoxy-4-[3-(organosilyl)propyl]phenyl ester R'3SiC3H6Ph(O)MeOCOC5H4N . Compounds and were bound to Pd and Pt using ligand substitution reactions with organometallic precursors to give (R3SiC3H6OC6H4C6H4CN)2PdCl2, (R3SiC3H6OC6H4C6H4CN)2PtCl2 and (R3SiC3H6C6H3(OMe)OC(O)C5H4N)PtCl2(eta(2)-1-octene). The polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-supported Pt and Pd compounds and had excellent solubility in both organic solvents and polysiloxanes. All the Pt compounds exhibited good catalytic activity for hydrosilylation of vinylsilanes. The PDMS-supported Pd compound also was effective catalyst for hydrosilylation of a diene, isoprene, with 1,1,1,3,3-pentamethyldisiloxane MM(H) to produce the 1,4-adduct Me3SiOSiMe2CH2CH=CMeCH2-H as a major product.     

Mesophase stability in binary mixtures of monotropic nematogens

Binary phase diagrams were constructed from laterally substituted methyl azo/ester derivatives, namely 4-(4″-substituted phenylazo)-3-methyl phenyl-4″-alkoxy benzoates (In_a–d). In this group of compound the unsubstituted and chloro-substituted derivatives possess the nematic phase monotropically, while the nitro and methyl analogues are enantiotropically nematogenic. The binary phase diagrams constructed were made once from the monotropic nematogens with each other, and another with the enantiotropic nematogens. In both the cases enantiotropic nematic phase was observed that covers a wide range of composition. The mesophase behaviour of all binary mixtures was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarised light microscopy (PLM). The nematic phase was exhibited in all binary mixtures. Independent of the alkoxy chain length, the entropy change, ΔS_N–I of the N–I transition of pure components was found to vary irregularly with the anisotropy of polarisability (?α_X) of the polar substituent, X.