Effect of polarity of smectic Ad molecules on the induction of the nematic phase in binary mixtures of smectics A1 and Ad

The phase diagrams are determined of binary mixtures composed of 4-n-alkylbiphenylates 4-cyanobiphenyl (n-CBB)-smectics A₁, for n < 8 and esters of 4-(trans-4′-n-alkylcyclohexyl)benzoic acid (10CPCHB, 10NPCHB, 10FOPCHB)-smectics A_d. The effect is studied of the smectic layer spacing ratio and polarity of the components on the induction of the nematic phase in the tested series of compounds. The virtual N S_Ad phase transition points in series n-CBB are estimated and the effect is discussed of the stability of the smectic phase and polarity of the molecules of the mixture components on the width and position of the nematic gap.     

Liquid Crystalline Phases in 4-Acetyl-4′-n-Alkanoyloxy-Azobenzenes

Abstract

The preparation and melting behaviour of the homologous series of 4-acetyl-4′-n-alkanoylox-azobenzenes, CH₃-CO-C₆H₄-N?N-C₆H₄-O-CO-(CH₂) _n -CH₃, (with n ranging from zero to 16) is reported. The melting behaviour has been investigated by means of thermal microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The experimental results indicate for almost all the compounds the presence of solid state polymorphism and a type A smectic; for one compound a type B smectic phase is also present. Some homologs present, in addition, a nematic phase.     

Ratio of the Bend to Splay Constants of Some Binary Mixtures Exhibiting the Induced Smectic-A Phase

We report the ratios of bend to splay (k ₃₃/k ₁₁) elastic constants of 4′-n-heptyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (7CB), (2-hydroxy)-p-ethoxybenzylidene-p′-butylaniline (OH-EBBA) and two of their mixtures which exhibit the induced smectic A phase. k ₃₃/k ₁₁ goes down to ～0.6 for the composition which is rich in OH-EBBA.     

Dielectric Studies of Three Liquid Crystals HBT,E8 and PCH-1132

The dielectric behavior of a Schiff base N-(P-Hexyloxybenzylidene)-P-toluidine (HBT) and two technologically important mixtures, E₈ and PCH-1132, are reported in the radio frequency region. The value of the mean dielectric constant increases by ～5% on going from the nematic to the isotropic phase in the case of E₈ and PCH-1132. This may perhaps be due to antiferroelectric arrangement of the molecules in the nematic phase. These mesogens show unusual dielectric behavior and exhibit positive anisotropy at lower frequencies and negative dielectric anisotropy above a critical frequency termed as isotropic frequency. The isotropic frequency is found to be temperature dependent. All these nematogens exhibit single relaxation in the radio frequency region which is due to hindered rotation of the molecules under nematic potential. The relaxation frequencies are 3.98 MHz (at 61.4°C), 2.27 MHz (at 34.3°C), 1.87 MHz (at 33°C) in case of HBT, E₈ and PCH-1132 respectively. The activation energy is found to be 16.7 KCal/mole, 14.6 KCal/mole and 16.1 KCal/mole for HBT, Ea and PCH-1132 respectively. In smectic B phase of HBT, the dipolar orientations are found to be somewhat “locked” similar to that in solids. The inversion of the sign of dielectric anisotropy in S_B phase of HBT is also discussed.     

Mesomorphic Properties of a Homologous series of Substituted Benzoyloxybenzoates

A homologous series of twelve 4-cyanophenyl-3-methyl-4-(4-n-alkylbenzoyloxy) benzoates have been prepared and their mesomorphic properties characterised. All these compounds are colourless, stable and have large positive dielectric anisotropy. The first ten homologues are purely nematic and have a wide thermal range. The undecyloxy and dodecyloxy derivatives exhibit a smectic phase in addition to the nematic phase. A plot of the nematic-isotropic transition temperatures against the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain shows the usual odd-even effect.     

Dielectric Anisotropy and the Order Parameter of HXBBA

Abstract

Measurements of dielectric anisotropy (Δ?), refractive indices (n _e , n _o), birefringence (Δn) and density (ρ) have been made in the nematic and smectic phases of N(-p-hexyloxybenzylidene)-p-butylaniline (HXBBA). The results indicate that the various transitions are of the first order type except smectic B-smectic G, which may be a second order transition. The order parameter S has been determined using the isotropic internal field model (Vuks approach) and the anisotropic internal field model (Neugebauer's approach) and both the values agree fairly well. The dielectric anisotropy (Δ?) increases strongly in the smectic phases whle S increases only slowly. It is interpreted by an increase of dipole-dipole correlations.     

The Dielectric and Optical Properties of the Homologous Series of Cyano-Alkyl-Biphenyl Liquid Crystals

The electric permittivities, refractive indices and densities of the homologous series of alkyl-cyano-biphenyls (C_nH_2n+1.φ.φ.CN) have been measured as a function of temperature in the nematic phases for n = 5 to 9, and in the smectic phases for n = 8 and 9. The results have been analysed in terms of the Maier and Meier theory to yield values for the molecular dipole moments and polarizabilities. Kerr effect measurements on dilute solutions of 44′-n-pentyl-cyano-biphenyl at different temperatures are reported, and in conjunction with similar dielectric and optical measurements have provided results for the free molecule dipole moment and polarizabilites; values for the higher homologues are predicted using a bond additivity model. Bordewijk's theory is applied to the permittivity measurements, and using appropriate molecular parameters, dipole-dipole correlation factors are calculated.     

A Natural Progression from Smectic C to Tilted Smectic B Properties in the n-Alkyl 4′-n-Alkoxybiphenyl-4-carboxylates

Recently^1,2 the n-alkyl esters of the 4′-n-heptyloxy- to 4′-n-decyloxy-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acids (inclusive) were prepared. These homologous series all showed a sudden injection of smectic C properties at the n-butyl ester. In the current work, a number of esters of the 4′-n-dodecyloxy-4′-n-tetradecyloxy-, 4′-n-hexadecyloxy-, and 4′-n-octadecyloxy-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acids have been prepared in order to establish the smectic phase sequences at longer, terminal alkoxy chain lengths. It was found that, as the terminal alkoxy chain length was increased there was a natural, smooth progression to esters which exhibit tilted smectic B phases rather than tilted smectic C phases.     

The Order-Disorder Phase Transition in Liquid Crystals as a Function of Molecular Structure. I. The Alkyl Cyanobiphenyls

The pretransitional behaviour of a homologous series of mesomorphic compounds, the alkyl cyanobiphenyls (CNρρC _n H _{2n + 1}) for n = 5–12, has been studied as a function of temperature by light scattering in the isotropic phase. The higher homologues, n = 8–12, exhibit a smectic A phase that becomes increasingly important at the expense of the nematic phase for increasing n and for n = 10 and 12 no nematic phase is observed. We have shown from light scattering and differential scanning calorimetry measurements that the presence of the smectic A phase changes markedly the pretransitional behaviour, and gives rise to two distinct pretransitional regions. The first region is for temperatures greater than ～3°C above the clearing temperature T_c where the systems exhibit a typical pretransitional behaviour adequately described by the phenomenological Landau-de Gennes model of a second order phase transition with an intervering first order transition at T_c . The constants of this model for this region are given and show a distinct odd-even effect. The second region is close to T_c where a strong divergence from the already critical behaviour is observed. This secondary divergence is observed to be a function of the alkyl chain length and its conformation, and is attributed to coupling between smectic A like layers and the orientational order parameter in the isotropic phase.     

Trans−1,2-Difluorostilbenes: Promising Materials for High Dielectric Biaxiality Ferroelectric Mixtures

Abstract

A range of two- and three-ring liquid crystals have been synthesised that incorporate a trans?1,2-difluoroethene linking group. Some of the materials have surprisingly low melting points and high smectic C phase stability, and they exhibit the ideal phase sequence for ferroelectric hosts of smectic C to smectic A to nematic. The synthesis was accomplished in a convergent manner through the use of low-temperature lithiations to generate organometallics based on boron and tin. Palladium-catalysed cross-couplings and Michael-type reactions were used to generate the final mesogenic materials. The polar fluoro substituents enable the generation of ferroelectric mixtures with a high dielectric biaxiality which is very important in τV minimum driving schemes. The alkenic linking group in stilbenes normally confers instability, but the difluoro-substituted analogues are stable compounds.     

The polymorphism of some liquid crystalline 4′-n-alkyloxy-3′-nitro-biphenylcarboxylic acids

The substances of the homologous series with n = 6, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18 were investigated by calorimetry and microscopy. In the lower members exist nematic, smectic A and smectic C phases, in the homologs with n = 16 and 18 appear phases of the type smectic D with cubic structure. The kinetics of these phase transitions, in which smectic D is participating shows a strong dependence upon the experimental conditions. Supercooling, as well as, overheating effects were found. In the supercooled state we could detect for the first time smectic phases, which are metastable with respect to another liquid crystalline phase (S_D).     

Study of the Effect of Lateral Substitution on Mesogenic Behavior with Reference to -CH=CH- Unit

A novel cinnamate ester homologous series has been synthesized and studied with a view to understanding and establishing the effects of molecular structure on liquid crystal (LC) properties with a focus on the highly polar methoxy group as a lateral substituent. The series consists of twelve homologs; of which C₁–C₅ are nonmesogenic, and the rest of the homologs are enantiotropically smectogenic or and nematogenic. The texture of nematic phases is threaded or Schlieren and that of the smectic is either smectic A or C, as recognized and determined through an optical polarizing microscope equipped with a heating stage. The Sm-N I and N-I transition curves exhibit odd-even effects and behave in normal manner. The Cr-I M behaves in normal manner. Analytical and spectral data confirm the molecular structures of homologs. The average thermal stabilities for smectic and nematic are 125.3 C and 129.8 C, respectively, whose total mesophase length varies from 13 C to 51 C. Some LC properties of present series are compared with the structurally similar known series.     

Mesomorphism dependence on molecular rigidity with reference to ‒CH˭CH‒ unit of central bridge

A novel ester homologous series of rich mesomorphism and low temperatures with unexpected phase behaviors of eleven homologues was synthesized and studied with a view to understanding and establishing the relation between mesomorphic behaviour and the molecular structure of a series 4-(4′-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)-4″-chlorobenzyl cinnamates. All the members of the novel series are enantiotropically smectogenic and the octyloxy (C₈) to hexadecyloxy (C₁₆) homologues are enantiotropically nematogenic, in addition to smectogenic. Odd–even effect is observed for Sm?I/Sm?N transition curve but it is absent for N?I transition curve. Textures of nematic phase are threaded or Schlieren and that of the smectic phase are fan shaped or batonates of smectic-A type phase or Smectic-C type for C₁₆ homologues as judged directly from a heating stage of an optical polarizing microscopy. Analytical and spectral data confirmed the molecular structures of novel homologues. Mesomorphic properties of present series are compared with the structurally similar other known series. The average smectic and nematic thermal stabilities are 92.78°C and 100.8°C, respectively. Mesophase length minimum to maximum for smectic and nematic are 21.0°C to 31.1°C and 8.4°C to 42.6°C respectively. Thus, the present novel series is partly nematogenic and fully smectogenic with considerable degree of mesomorphism and low melting type.     

Mesomorphism in chloro substituted isomeric series including chalconyl central bridge

A novel homologous series of thermotropic liquid crystals α-4-(4′-n-alkoxy benzoyloxy phenyl) β-2″-chloro benzoyl ethylenes have been synthesized and studied with a view to understand and establish the effect of molecular structure on liquid crystal (LC) properties with reference to molecular flexibility in isomeric series with differing positional status of same functional group. Novel homologues series consist of 12 homologues C₁ to C_16. C₁, C₂, and C₃ homologues are nonliquid crystals (NLC) and rest of the homologues are liquid crystals. C₁₀ to C₁₆ homologues are enantiotropically smectogenic plus nematogenic and C₄ to C₈ homologues are enantiotropic nematic. The texture of nematogenic derivatives is threaded or schlieren and that of the smectic mesophase are focal conic of the type smectic A or C. Analytical, thermal and spectral data supported molecular structures of novel homologues. Transition temperatures as determine by a hot stage polarizing optical microscopy (POM) were plotted against number of carbon atom present in n-alkyl chain ‘R’ of left n-alkoxy (-OR) group and the phase transition curves Cr–I/M, Sm–N, N–I were obtained on linking like or related points. The odd–even effect is observed for the N–I transition curve and thus transition curves behaved in normal manner. The even-membered nematic transition curve occupied higher position than the odd-membered transition curve. Present series is predominantly nematogenic and partly smectogenic with middle-ordered melting type.     

Molecular Arrangement in Mesophases of Some p-n-Alkoxybenzoic Acids

The properties of an even homologous series of alkoxy benzoic acids have been investigated in the crystalline and mesomorphic states by means of thermal microscopy, x-ray scattering and dilatometry.

Structural parameters such as inter-lamellar distance d, and the molar volume V_m were studied as a function of the number n of methylene units of the alcoxy radical.

In the crystalline state and the smectic C state the variation of d and of V_m with n is perfectly linear. The angle of tilt of the paraffinic chains α′ and of the aromatic stems φ was determined in the crystalline state. It was found that both moieties have the same magnitude of the tilt. In the smectic C state the value of α′ was found to be 25° as compared to 60.7° in the crystalline state indicating a “pulling up” of hydrocarbon tails when passing from the crystalline state to the smectic state. The passage from crystalline into the smectic state is also accompanied by a strong increase in V_m. Analysis of data indicates that this increase is entirely due to the aromatic part of the molecule while the aliphatic chains have the same V_m as in the crystalline state. It is concluded that while in the crystalline state the cohesion of the phase is insured to a large extent by dimerized, hydrogen bonded molecules, in the smectic C state the cohesion is insured by attraction between extended aliphatic chains. Evidence is also given for the formation of cybotactic groups in the nematic phase of octyloxy benzoic acid.     

Synthesis and Some Properties of 3-Fluoro-4-Cyanophenyl 4′-n-alkylbenzoates

A series of 3-fluoro-4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-alkylbenzoates, which show monotropic nematic phases, was prepared and their transition temperatures and melting enthalpies were measured. The 3-fluoro-4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate, 3-chloro-4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate and 4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate were mixed with a nematic mixture (A) of 4-n-alkoxyphenyl 4′-n-alkylcyclohexane-1′-carboxylates. 3-Fluoro-4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate decreases the N-1 transition temperature less, increases the birefringence more, and increases the bulk viscosity less than 3-chloro-4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate, and reduces the threshold voltage to the greatest extent. The dielectric anisotropies of 3-fluoro-4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate and 4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate determined from a series of solutions of the compounds in nematic mixture (A) are 35.9 and 29.6, respectively.     

Experimental Evidence for a Hyperscaling Relation at a Nematic to Smectic A Phase Transition

A hyperscaling relation v_″ + 2v_┴ = 2 – α is examined for the nematic to smectic A transition of 4-octyloxy-4′-cyanobiphenyl (8OCB) and 4-octyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (8CB). From the heat capacity results, 2-α is analyzed to be 1.84 ± 0.03 for 8OCB and 1.75 ± 0.02 for 8OCB. On the other hand v_″ + 2v_┴ is calculated from the results reported by X-ray experiments to be 1.87 ± 0.12 for 8OCB and 1.69 ± 0.11 for 8CB. From the above coincidences the hyperscaling relation is found to be applicable to the nematic to smectic A transition.     

Effects of Nematic Compounds with High Clearing Points on the Multiplexing Performance of Twisted Nematic Displays

The addition of nematic compounds with high clearing points (N_h) to multiplexable nematic liquid crystals decreases the temperature dependence of the threshold voltage of twisted nematic displays. This effect depends on the dielectric anisotropy of the nematic liquid crystals containing N_h, as well as on the increase in T _c. In the case of 4-n-butylphenyl 4'-(4”-butyibenzoyloxy) benzoate, the low threshold voltage was exceptionally compatible with a small temperature dependence of threshold voltage, and this result was attributed to the large temperature dependence of the dielectric anisotropy in comparison with that of nematic liquid crystals containing other N_h's.