Non-covalent dendrimer-based liquid crystalline complexes: Synthesis and characterization

The synthesis and structural characterization of dendritic macromolecules based on 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid are described. The molecular structures and purity of all new compounds were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The dendritic non-covalent liquid crystalline complexes were prepared through the formation of hydrogen bonds between different generation of dendritic acids (proton donor) and stilbazole derivative containing bipyridyl units (proton acceptor). We found that, the hydrogen-bonded dendritic liquid crystals supramolecules (G1-2py, G2-2py and G3-2py) exhibits nematic and semectic phase. The polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used for investigation of the liquid crystalline properties of the hydrogen-bonded dendritic supramolecular complexes.     

Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline diethanolamine‐based dendrimers

Three generations of diethanolamine‐based dendrimers containing nitroazobenzene were synthesized. Firstly, G₁ was prepared by the diazotation of p‐nitroaniline, and then the obtained salts reacted with n‐phenyl‐2,2′‐iminodiethanol. The reaction of hydroxyl groups of diethanolamine of G₁ and G₂ with acryloyl chloride resulted in G_1.5 and G_2.5. Then, G₂ and G₃ were synthesized using Michael addition of amino group of diethanolamine and G_1.5 and G_2.5. The Williamson etherification and azo‐reaction were employed in the preparation of the mesogenic unit 4‐[4‐(6‐bromohexyloxy)phenylazo]nitrobenzene (N₆‐Br). Secondly, mesogen‐functionalized dendrimers were synthesized via the coupling of the hydroxyl group of G₁, G₂, G₃, and bromine from mesogenic units (N₆‐Br). The polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used for the investigation of the liquid crystalline properties of the mesogen‐functionalized dendrimers. The structures of obtained compounds were investigated using common spectroscopy methods and CHN analysis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and mesophase behaviour of branched azobenzene-based supramolecular hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals

Five types of new pyridine-based azo compounds, namely, 4-(4′-pyridylazo)-4′‘-alkoxybenzoates or 4-(4′-pyridylazo)-4′’-substituted benzoates with straight or branch terminal were prepared as hydrogen bond (H-bond) acceptors to build mesogens. After self-assembled with different carboxylic acids, the resulted H-bond complexes were confirmed for the stability of H bond by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy, and investigated for the mesophase behaviour by differential scanning calorimetry and polarised optical microscopy. The influence of terminal chains in azo accepter or acid donor and the structure of acid donors on the mesogenic behaviour were discussed in detail.     

Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline unsymmetrically substituted phthalocyanines

The synthesis of unsymmetrically substituted phthalocyanines bearing two p-tolyl-sulfonyl (tosyl)amido and six alkylthio moieties was achieved by cyclotetramerisation of two different phthalonitrile derivatives, namely 1,2-di(alkylthio)-4,5-dicyanobenzene and 4,5-dicyano-N,N′-ditosyl-o-phenylenediamine in the presence of an anhydrous metal salt and strong base. The new compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, UV/Vis, IR, NMR and mass spectra. The mesogenic properties of these new materials were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy. The mesogenic properties of these compounds were compared to that of their symmetric analogous, octaalkythia substituted phthalocyanine derivatives.     

Experimental investigation on the effect of mesogenic ratio in hydrogen-bonded liquid crystal complexes

Hydrogen-bonded liquid crystal complex (HBLC) is synthesized from mesogenic 4-hexyloxy benzoic acid (6OBA) and aliphatic non-mesogenic citric acid (CA). The presence of intermolecular hydrogen bond in the HBLC complex is confirmed by FTIR spectrum. Phase transition temperature and enthalpy values are identified using different techniques. Induced highly ordered smectic G phase has been noticed in the present HBLC complex. Thermal span width and thermal stability factor of the individual mesogenic phase are discussed. The complexes are synthesized in different mole ratios, and their corresponding influence on the phase transitions is also discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of six-arm star-shaped liquid crystalline cyclotriphosphazenes

<正>The synthesis and mesomorphic properties of a new class of liquid crystalline cyclotriphosphazenes with rigid cyanostilbene groups and flexible alkoxy groups are reported.The thermal behaviors of cyclotriphosphazene derivatives 5a-5d are studied by the means of differential scanning calorimetry,polarizing optical microscopy.Nematic phases were observed in compounds 5a-5d both on heating and cooling.The clear temperatures of compounds 5a-5d slightly increased with increasing length of terminal alkyl chain.Compounds 5a-5d showed different mesogenic region from minimum 5℃to maximum 142℃.     

Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline tetra- and octa-substituted novel phthalocyanines

Methylene-bridged tetra- and octa-(13,17-dioxa nonacosane-15 sulfanyl)-substituted metal free- and Ni(II) phthalocyanines were synthesized from the corresponding phthalonitrile (3, 4) derivatives in the presence of the anhydrous metal salt (NiCl₂) or a strong organic base. The new compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, UV/Vis, IR, NMR and mass spectra. The mesogenic properties of these materials were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction investigations. X-ray diffraction patterns of the mesophase confirm that tetra- and octa-substituted compounds (3a–b, 4a–b) form hexagonal columnar mesophases (Col_h). We indicated that addition of the methylene-bridged phthalocyanine (Pc) core can either decrease the liquid crystal phase transition temperatures or extend the liquid crystal temperature range to include room temperature. Also, the Pc compounds (3a, 3b, 4a and 4b) are liquid crystals at room temperature. These properties of the Pc complexes provide some advantages such as easily obtaining an ordered film for sensor applications. Computational modelling work was combined with X-ray diffraction investigation to validate the diameter of the phthalocyanine molecule (3b).     

Synthesis and characterization of a new unsymmetrical porphyrin liquid crystal and its lanthanide complexes

A meso-substituted unsymmetrical porphyrin liquid crystal, 5-(4-myristyloxy)phenyl-10,15,20-triphenyl porphyrin, and a series of its lanthanide complexes, (lanthanide ions: Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) with acetylacetone were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductances, UV-Vis, IR and ¹H?NMR spectra. A structure is proposed in which the porphyrin is as a tetradentate ligand and acetylacetonate is bidentate to the lanthanide. Luminescence spectra show that quantum yields of the Q band fluorescence are in the region 0.027–0.191. DSC data and an optical textural photo using a polarizing microscope indicates that the compounds have liquid crystalline character.     

Facile synthesis and characterization of novel thermo-chromism cholesteryl-containing hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals

Two series of novel cholesteryl-containing H-bonded liquid crystals were prepared through facile self-assembly between cholesteryl isonicotinate(proton acceptor) exhibiting a monotropic cholesteric phase,and the 4-alkoxy-benzoic acid or 4-alkoxy cinnamic acid(proton donor).It was found that the increase of the conjugate length as well as the terminal length can contribute to enhance the interaction of molecules and thus significantly influenced the thermal behaviors of H-bonded LCs.The cholesteric reflec...     

Synthesis of azobenzene-containing liquid crystalline gelator for use in liquid crystal gels

A liquid crystalline gelator containing the azobenzene chromophore was synthesized for the first time; it was used to form self- assembled network in nematic liquid crystals resulting in liquid crystal gels with distinct features.     

Synthesis and characterisation of main-chain hydrogen-bonded supramolecular liquid crystalline complexes formed by azo-containing compounds

A series of azopyridine-containing hydrogen bonding acceptors (4a-c) with flexible spacers of oligo(methylene) were synthesised. Hydrogen-bonded polymeric complexes 4/5 and trimeric complexes 4/6₂ , where 5 and 6 are aromatic dicarboxylic acids and monocarboxylic acids, respectively, were prepared and their liquid crystallinity was examined using differential scanning calorimetry and polarising optical microscopy. The study showed that most of the complexes displayed reversible thermotropic nematic phase. The isotropic to nematic phase transition temperatures of polymeric complexes 4/5 and trimeric complexes 4/6₂ in general decreased with the increase in length of spacers and terminal groups in the corresponding proton acceptors 4 and the proton donors 5 and 6, respectively. Hydrogen bonding interactions in complexes 4/5 and 4/6₂ were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline polyacrylates and non-liquid crystalline polypyrroles from bifunctional monomers

Two kinds of polymerizations of liquid-crystalline N-{{W-{4-[4-(11-acryloyloxy)undecanoxybenzoyl]biphenyleneoxy}alkyl}}pyrrole gave a side-chain liquid-crystalline polyacrylate containing pyrrole group and a non-liquid crystalline polypyrrole containing acrylate group. Liquid crystallinity was determined by DSC and optical polarizing microscope measurements. The monomers having hexyl or decyl group as the alkyl group exhibited an undefined smectic, smectic B, and smectic A phases on the heating stage. The radically polymerized polyacrylate derivatives containing the pyrrole group showed smectic A, smectic C, and undefined smectic phases on the cooling stage. On the other hand, soluble N-substituted polypyrrole derivatives containing the terminal acrylate group which were prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization by ferric chloride catalyst did not show liquid crystallinity. Structure analysis of the polypyrroles performed by ¹H and ¹³C-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies demonstrated that the polymerization occurred at the pyrrole ring. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3877–3887, 1999     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of novel tolane-type liquid crystals

Two series of novel tolane-type liquid crystals(LCs) comprising of hydrogen-bonded organic acids were synthesized.The formation of dimerized H-bond LCs was confirmed by IR spectroscopy,and mesomorphic properties of the LCs were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy(POM).It was found that the end groups of the liquid crystals as well as the unsaturated rigid core had effect on the mesomorphic properties.     

Synthesis,characterisation and SPIE analysis in pure and nano-dispersed N-(p-n-hexyloxybenzylidene)-p-n-Nonyloxy aniline

Synthesis, characterisation and phase transition studies in pure and 20 µl citrate-capped Au nano-dispersed liquid crystalline N-(p-n-hexyloxybenzylidene)-p-n-Nonyloxy aniline, 6O.O9, compounds are carried out using a polarising microscope attached with hot stage and camera to measure the phase transition temperatures. The enthalpy and transition temperatures are identified using differential scanning calorimetry. It is observed that the nematic transition temperature is decreased by the dispersion of citrate-capped Au nanoparticles into the liquid crystalline compound. Further, statistical parameters-based image enhancement algorithm is proposed to identify the crystalline phases in the pure and nano-doped liquid crystal compound and a transient S_B mesophase is clearly observed through specified algorithm. Empirical result analysis clearly reveals the robustness of this method over existing image enhancement methods.     

Synthesis and phase behaviour of hydrogen-bonded liquid crystalline complexes of allyloxybenzoic acid compounds with 4,4'-bipyridine

Three kinds of benzoic acid compounds were synthesized and characterized; the corresponding symmetric hydrogen-bonded liquid crystalline complexes based on these benzoic acid compounds and 4,4'-bipyridine (BPy) were then prepared. The existence of the hydrogen bonds was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The liquid crystalline properties of the complexes were demonstrated by polarizing microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. 4-Allyloxy-2-fluorobenzoic acid and two fluorinated hydrogen-bonded complexes exhibited only nematic phases, whereas the non-fluorinated complex showed both smectic and nematic phases. The clearing points and mesophase thermal range of the complexes decreased with increasing number of lateral fluorine atoms on the rigid core.     

Synthesis and characterization of halogen-containing ferroelectric liquid crystals and side chain liquid crystalline polymers

A new series of ferroelectric liquid crystals and side chain liquid crystalline polymers based on halogen-containing chiral centres has been synthesized. Chemical structures were analysed by NMR. Liquid crystal phases were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, optical polarizing microscopy, and X-ray diffractometry. The behaviour of the liquid crystalline phases was investigated as a function of spacer units and differing terminal asymmetric moieties. It was found that phase transition temperatures decreased with increasing length of the oligooxyethylene spacer unit. Differing terminal asymmetric moieties led to differing mesophase phenomena. Furthermore, a wide temperature range (including room temperature) of a chiral smectic C phase was achieved.     

Dielectric relaxation in a novel tapered chiral photochromatic liquid crystalline dendrimer

Temperature-dependent dielectric spectroscopic measurements of newly synthesised ribbon-shaped chiral liquid crystalline dendrimer with photochromic azobenzene mesogens and an isosorbide chiral centre on planar anchoring cell have been performed in the frequency range of 1.0 Hz to 5.5 MHz. Three dielectric dispersions in the relaxation frequency range of 10–80 Hz, 80–130 kHz and ~3.5 MHz have been observed not only in chiral smectic phase but also in isotropic phase in which two lower-frequency processes are retarded while the other one remained at same relaxation rate from isotropic to chiral smectic phase. Based on the dielectric and optical polarising microscopic results, the chiral smectic phase has been identified as SmC* phase. The relaxation mode observed at low-frequency region in the SmC* phase followed the dielectric characteristics of pinned Goldstone mode. Whereas the dielectric dispersions observed at high-frequency region have been analysed in the framework of the model given by Maier and Meier.     

对二氨基二苯型芳酰胺类液晶化合物的合成与表征

液晶作为新型材料,在高新技术领域显示出越来越广阔的应用前景,目前科学界对各种类型的液晶,包括主链型,侧链型液晶以及热固性液晶方面的研究非常活跃~([1-4]).含有端烯类双键的液晶化合物,可以通过双键联结到高分子链上,形成高分子液晶化合物,也可与其它烯类单体发生共聚合反应,制备液晶热固性树脂,还可以通过双键氧化,制备液晶环氧树脂,因此有广泛的应用前景~([5,6]).     

双酚-F不饱和液晶化合物的合成与表征

以4,4'-二羟基二苯基甲烷(双酚-F),3-溴1-丙烯(或6-溴1-己烯)为原料合成了p-BAMBP,p-MBPAB和p-MBPHB三种新型含有不同长度不饱和末端基的液晶化合物,并用POM﹑FTIR、1H-NMR、DSC和XRD进行了表征.结果表明它们均为近晶型液晶,且熔点随柔性末端基增长而降低,相转变温度范围变宽.此类化合物有望作为新型液晶化合物或设计新型液晶功能高分子材料使用.