Comparing investigation of the smectic C and A phases of the di-n-alkyl 4,4′-azoxycinnamates (I). Calorimetric investigations

We present calorimetric investigations (DSC) of 9 members of the homologous series of the di-n-alkyl 4-4′-azoxycinnamates. The phase transitions smectic C/A and smectic A/isotropic are characterized by thermodynamic changes which are discussed comparingly. With increasing length of the n-alkyl chains in the series the clearing temperatures are depressed, the S_A regions are diminshed and the character of the phase transitions C/A changes from second order to the direction of first order.     

Phase transition studies in certain thermotropic liquid crystals thermal microscopy and DSC

Investigations on the phase transition studies in the thermotropic liquid crystals, (1) pcyanophenyl trans-4-propylcyclohexane carboxylate, (2) p-cyanophenyl trans-4-pentyl-cyclohexane carboxylate, (3) 4′-n-pentyloxy-4-cyanobiphenyl and (4) 4′-n-octyloxy-4-cyanobiphenyl are carried out by the thermal microscopy and the differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) studies. These studies reveal that the first three mesogens exhibit a single mesophase while the fourth one exhibits a smectic A phase in addition to the nematic phase. The textures exhibited by these mesogens in their mesophases and their transition temperatures, enthalpies and entropies are presented.     

The Effect of Trifluoromethyl and Difluoromethoxy Groups on Mesomorphic Properties

Abstract

This paper describes the effect of terminal substituent on the mesomorphic properties in 3-and 4-(4-alkoxyphenoxycarbonyl)phenyl 3- and 4-R-benzoate and 4-(4-alkoxybenzoyloxy)phenyl 2-, 3-, and 4-R-benzoates (R = CF₃, OCF₃, OCF₂H). The meta-trifluoromethoxy and para-difluoromethoxy compounds tend to show a smectic C phase, as well as smectic A and nematic ones, and introduction of a chiral carbon in the alkoxyl group induces the chiral smectic C one.     

Mesomorphism dependence on terminal end groups

A novel homologous series of liquid crystals (LC) 4-(4′-n-alkoxy cinnamoyloxy)-4′′-bromobenzylbenzoate was synthesized and studied with a view to understanding and establishing the relation between LC properties and the molecular structure. The novel series comprises 11 members, and all the members exhibit mesomorphism as enantiotropic smectic. None of the homologues are nematogenic, even in the monotropic condition. Transition temperatures were determined by an optical polarizing microscope equipped with a heating stage. The textures of smectic phase are of the type A or C. The transition curves Sm-I and Cr-Sm behave in a normal manner in the phase diagram. An odd-even effect is exhibited by the Sm-I transition curve. Thermal stability for smectic is 102.6°C. Mesomorphism commences from the very first member of the series. The series is entirely smectogenic and of middle-order melting type whose mesomorphic phase length ranges from 7.4°C to 60.9°. Analytical and spectral data confirmed the molecular structures of homologues. The mesomorphic properties of the present series are compared with structurally similar homologous series.     

Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals with New Chiral Building Blocks

Esterification of 4-nitrocinnamoyl chloride by new chiral alcohols((d) and (1) 2-butanol; (d) 2-heptanol), followed by reduction of the nitro group by a new reagent(SnC1₂), gives new chiral 4-aminocinnamates.Condensation of these amines with 4-alkyloxybenzaldehydes or terephthaldehyde gives Schiff bases showing in some cases chiral smectic C phases. A comparative study of the mesomorphism of both these compounds and the compounds of the DOBAMBC family is made, in order to evaluate the effect of the chiral building block structure on the liquid crystalline properties.During this study, a new compound has been prepared, which exhibits the smectic O phase: ((d) 1-methylhexyl)terephthalidene Bis 4-aminocinna-mate.     

Phase transition behavior and structure of the thermotropic liquid crystal 6‐{[(4′‐{[(undecyl)carbonyl]oxy}biphenyl‐4yl)carbonyl]oxy}‐1‐hexyne

The phase transition behaviors and corresponding structures of 6‐{[(4′‐{[(undecyl)carbonyl]oxy}biphenyl‐4yl)carbonyl]oxy}‐1‐hexyne (A4EE11) were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). In comparison with the published homologues, 5‐{[(4′‐heptoxy‐biphenyl‐4‐yl)carbonyl]oxy}‐1‐pentyne (A3EO7) which shows a monotropic smectic A (SmA) phase and a metastable monotropic smectic C (SmC) phase; 5‐{[(4′‐heptoxy‐biphenyl‐4‐yl)oxy]carbonyl}‐ 1‐pentyne (A3E'O7) that exhibits three enantiotropic stable liquid crystalline (LC) phases, SmA phase, SmC phase and smectic X (SmX) phase; 5‐{[(4′‐heptoxy‐biphenyl‐4‐yl)carbonyl]oxy}‐1‐undecyne (A9EO7) which has a monotropic SmA phase and a metastable crystal phase, A4EE11 integrates the enantiotropy, monotropy and metastability of the LC phases of those three compounds. Upon cooling from isotropic state to room temperature, in the temperature range of 62.0 to 58.5°C, A4EE11 shows an enantiotropic smectic A (SmA) phase with a layer spacing d=32.69Å. Further lowering the temperature, it enters into a metastable monotropic smectic B (SmB) phase with a longer layer spacing d=34.22Å which has a tendency towards crystallization. The metastability of the liquid crystalline phase may associate to the linkage order of the ester bridge between the mesogenic core and the flexible spacer. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Chain Ordering and Sm-N Transition in Different Members of the Homologous Series 4-(4′- n-AIkoxy Benzylideneamino) Biphenyls

Our extension of Marcelja's theory of nematic-isotropic transition to the smectic A phase is used to calculate the smectic A-nematic (Sm-N) transition temperatures for the homologous series 4–(4′- n-alkoxy benzylideneamino) biphenyls. In a mean field calculation, explicit inclusion of the conformational energies of the alkyl chain of a molecule in the partition function shows an even-odd effect generally observed in experiments on Sm-N transitions. It is found that the members of this series showing the smectic phase will have first order Sm-N transitions and the transition entropies for individual members are calculated.     

Effect of Molecular Structure on Mesomorphism 8. l A New Series of Trifluoromethyl Liquid Crystals

A new series of trifluoromethyl liquid crystals, the 4-n-alkoxybenzylidene-4′-trifluoromethylanilines, has been synthesized. All members of the series with three carbons or more in the alkoxy chain are enantiotropic smectics. There is an odd:even effect in the smectic-isotropic transition temperatures. The smectic phase is of the B type. Members of this series strongly promote enhanced smectic A phases in many binary mesophase systems.     

Synthesis and Mesomorphic Properties of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals with a Fluorinated Asymmetric Frame (1)

New ferroelectric liquid crystals with a fluorinated asymmetric frame were synthesized utilizing optically active S-(-)-2-fluoroalkanols prepared from R-(+)-1,2-epoxyalkanes with pyridinium poly(hydrogen fluoride), and their mesomorphic and physical properties (phase behavior, spontaneous polarization, response time) were studied. The biphenyl-phenyl derivatives of three-ring systems exhibited enantiotropic chiral smectic C phase in a broad temperature range (108°C-185°C). The phenyl benzoate of two-ring systems exhibited chiral smectic C phase at temperature relatively close to room temperature, and were found to possess the spontaneous polarization larger than 35 nC/cm².     

Mesomorphic Properties of Di- (4 - Alkoxyphenyl) and Di- (4 - Alkanoyloxyphenyl) Tetrathiafulvalenes

The polymorphism of the di- (4 - alkoxyphenyl) and di- (4 - alkanoyloxyphenyl) tetrathiafulvalenes (TTF) is investigated. In the dialkoxy series, the short chain derivative exhibits a smectic G phase and a nematic phase. The latter phase disappears in the long chain derivative. The dialkanoyloxy derivatives exhibit a smectic G phase (for short chains) and a smectic C phase (for long chains). A plot of the mesormorphic-isotropic transition temperatures against the number of carbon atoms of the substituent shows the usual odd-even effect. Some tetra (alkoxyphenyl) tetrathiafulvalenes are described, unfortunately they have no mesomorphic properties.     

Novel Cinnamate Esters—Synthesis and Mesomorphic Properties in Relation to Molecular Structure

A novel homologous series 4-[4′-n-alkoxy cinnamoyloxy] benzyl cinnamates consisting of 11 homologs was synthesized and studied with a view to understanding and establishing the relation between molecular structure and mesomorphic behavior of a substance. Mesomorphic behavior of the series commences from the third homolog and then continues until the last hexadecyloxy homolog. The first and second members of a series are non-mesomorphic. Nematogenic mesophase formation is observed from the propoxy homolog to the hexadecyloxy homolog, but the smectogenic mesophase formation is observed from the hexyloxy homolog to the tetradecyloxy homolog. All mesomorphic transitions are enantiotropic in nature. Transition temperatures were determined by an optical polarizing microscopy equipped with a heating stage. The textures of the nematic mesophase are threaded or Schlieren in type and that of the smectic mesophases are focal conic fan shaped of the smectic A or smectic C type. A phase diagram of the series shows a normal behavior of the transition curves with a minor abnormality of the last three homologs for the nematic-isotropic transition curve. The average thermal stability for smectic and nematic mesophases is 176.0°C and 219.3°C, respectively. Analytical and spectral data agree with the molecular structures of homologs. Mesomorphic phase length varies between 22°C and 76°C. Smectic phase length varies from 6°C to 33°C and nematic phase length varies from 22°C to 54°C. Thus, the novel present series is predominantly nematogenic and partly smectogenic. Mesomorphic properties of the novel series are compared with structurally similar other known homologous 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.     

The Smetic Polymorphism and the Phase Transitions in the Liquid Crystal 4, n-Hexyloxyphenyl-4, n′-Decyloxybenzoate

Three different methods — microscopical, depolarized light scattering and conoscopic have been used for the investigation of the polymorphism of 4, n-hexyloxyphenyl-4, n′-decyloxybenzoate (HOPDOB) at homeotropic orientation. A new textural transition is registered during cooling in smectic C phase connected with a change in the tilt (ω) and azimuthal (φ) angles of the molecular director. At cooling we found smectic E phase and by the conoscopic method we determined this phase as tilted smectic type (E_t) with 24° tilt angle. It is also found that B phase is a normal type smectic liquid crystal — B_N.     

Phase transition studies in mesogenic dimers

Schiff base liquid crystal dimers, both symmetric and non‐symmetric, in which two anisotropic groups are linked by a flexible spacer, exhibit a rich variety of smectic mesomorphism. The interest in this class of mesogens stems not only from their ability to act as model compounds for semi‐flexible mainchain liquid crystal polymers but also from their quite different properties compared to conventional low molar mass liquid crystals (monomers). We report here the phase transition studies on two examples of these schiff base liquid crystal dimers using the Differential Scanning Calorimetry and density measurements as a function of temperature. The symmetric liquid crystal dimer, α,ω‐bis (4‐n‐dodecylaniline benzylidene‐4′‐oxy)decane (10.O12O.10) exhibits a very rare Isotropic to G transition. Where as, the non‐symmetric dimer, α‐(4‐cyano biphenyl‐4′‐yloxy)‐ω‐(4‐n‐decylanilinebenzylidene‐4′‐oxy)decane (CB.O10O.10) exhibits a rare nematic to intercalated smectic A phase transition. The transitions studied, isotropic to nematic and isotropic to G exhibit a large density jump at the transition confirming their first order nature. Nematic to intercalated smectic A transition is found to be a second order transition whose behavior is similar to nematic to smectic A transition. Calculated values of pressure dependence of transition temperature and thermal expansion coefficient are also reported.     

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.     

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.     

Synthesis and Liquid Crystal Behaviour of Further 4,4″-Disubstituted 2'-Fluoro-1,1':4',1”-Terphenyls

Further to earlier work on the liquid crystal properties of fluoro-1,1':4',1”-terphenyls¹ we have now extended this series to include terminally fluoro-and cyano-substituted 2'-fluoro-1,1':4',1″-terphenyls, chiral 2'-fluoro-1,1':4',1″-terphenyls, and esters derived from 2'-fluoro-1,1':4',1”-terphenyls and incorporating the alkylcyclobutyl group. The preparations and transition temperatures for these series of compounds are presented and their transition temperatures and mesophase types are discussed. An interesting result from this work was the appearance of an S^* _C phase for one chiral homologue and of S _c phases for the esters incorporating the alkylcyclobutyl group. The S _c formation is attributed to the presence of the fluoro-substituent.

Keywords: terphenyls, fluoroterphenyls, smectic C phases, cyclobutyl esters     

First Truly Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal

The first faroelectric liquid crystalline phase (in 8SI* (ΔS-(+)-(4-(2′methylbuty1) phenyl-4′-n-octylbiphenyl-4 carboxylate) is reported and its physical properties are discussed. The close connection between the phase sequences of 8SI* and its racemate are established. Both compounds show a number of smectic phases above the newly discovered ferroelectric phase and its analogue in the racemate. These phases (CI and G') are tilted in the racemate 8SI and tilted with a helicoidal structure in 8SI*. In the truly ferroelectric phase, X, the director of the molecules can be oriented in a bistable way in an electric field Furthermore when the field is turned off the director orientation remains unchanged. This behaviar is fundamentally different from that in bulk smectic phases which support the helix structure in the absence of external forces. A model far ‘racemates’ in higher smectic phases like G, G', H’ etc as well as a the newly discovered ferroelectric phase is presented. The response of cholesteric blue phases of 8SI* to an external field is discussed in an appendix.     

Dielectric behaviour of the smectic I phase

The dielectric behaviour of 4-n-butyl-4′-n-dodecyloxyazobenzene was investigated in the smectic A, C and I phases from 10² to 3 ṁ 10⁶ Hz. In all phases a dielectric relaxation process could be found which is connected with the reorientation of the molecules around their short molecular axes. At the phase transition S_C/S_I a step of one decade was observed in the relaxation frequencies.     

Studies on induced smectic phases (III). Fourier transform infrared and laser-raman spectral differences between isotropic and induced smectic phase of binary mixtures of nematogens with contrasting dielectric anisotropies

The S_E, S_B, S_A induced phase sequence was detected in binary mixtures of two nematogens, 4,4′-di-n-heptyl azobenzene (7AB) with 4-n-pentyl-4′-cyano biphenyl (5CB). The mixtures as well as the single components were studied by Fourier transform IR and laser-Raman spectroscopy at different temperatures. Charge redistribution of 5CB is demonstrated by the spectral differences found by the ratio-recorded IR spectra and also by integrating the intensities of some Raman lines. The spectra of the different phases of the 7AB—5CB mixture, built up from components of different length, indicate a population increase of the gauche conformers of 7AB in the smectic A phase.