Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of mesogenic compounds with an alkyloxy and a semi-perfluorinated chain. Influence of the alkyloxy chain length on molecular arrangement and molecular interactions

This paper describes the synthesis and study of the mesomorphic properties (by DSC, microscopic observation and X-ray diffraction) of three new series of semi-perfluorinated liquid crystals: 4-(2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutyloxycarbonyl)phenyl, 4-(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyloxycarbonyl)phenyl, and 4-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluoro-octyloxy-carbonyl)phenyl 4-(n-alkyloxy)benzoates. One compound of the second family crystallizes in the P1 space group with Z ' 2. The molecule adopts a slightly bent conformation with a fully extended alkyloxy and semi-perfluorinated chain in a smectic C-like structure. The comparison of the present structure is made with that of a similar compound of the first family with a longer alkyloxy chain (this latter crystallizes in the P1 space group with two independent molecules in the unit cell). Comparison of the molecular packing shows the importance of the chain lengths in the molecular arrangement and molecular interactions in both structures.     

Cholesterol-based hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals

Hydrogen bonding is a powerful tool for assembling molecules and building new liquid crystalline structures. In this study, non-symmetric dimesogens were prepared by intermolecular hydrogen bonding between rationally designed H-bond donor (3-cholesteryloxycarbonylpentanoic acid) and acceptor (4-(pyridine-4-ylmethyleneimino)phenyl 4-alkoxybenzoate) moieties. Their liquid crystalline properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Cholesteric and smectic phases were observed. As for the covalently linked dimesogens, several types of smectic periodicities occur for these H-bonded cholesteryl compounds depending on the molecular parameters.     

Cholesterol-based hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals

Hydrogen bonding is a powerful tool for assembling molecules and building new liquid crystalline structures. In this study, non-symmetric dimesogens were prepared by intermolecular hydrogen bonding between rationally designed H-bond donor (3-cholesteryloxycarbonylpentanoic acid) and acceptor (4-(pyridine-4-ylmethyleneimino)phenyl 4-alkoxybenzoate) moieties. Their liquid crystalline properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Cholesteric and smectic phases were observed. As for the covalently linked dimesogens, several types of smectic periodicities occur for these H-bonded cholesteryl compounds depending on the molecular parameters.     

Helical structures induced by laterally-connected chiral twin molecules

A novel chiral twin material, (R)-bis[5-octyloxy-2-(4-octyloxyphenoxycarbonyl)phenyl] 3-methyladipate, has been prepared, where two mesogenic parts are connected laterally by a spacer possessing a chiral centre. A weaker helical structure, in particular in the chiral smectic C (S*_c) phase, was found to be induced by the laterally-connected twin material than by the analogous terminally-connected twin material. If laterally-connected chiral twin molecules prefer to stay in the smectic layer structure so that the two mesogenic parts exist in the same smectic layer, the twist interaction between adjacent layers cannot be produced by direct correlation of motion and directions of two mesogenic parts. Thus, the helical structure in the S*_c phase induced by laterally-connected chiral twin molecules becomes weak. An analogous laterally-branched 'monomeric' compound, (S)-5-octyloxy-2-(4-octyloxyphenoxycarbonyl)phenyl 3-methyl-pentanoate, has also been prepared, and the induced helical structures compared.     

X-ray diffraction study of smectic A layering in terminally fluorinated liquid crystal materials

We report an X-ray study of smectic A layering for mesogenic compounds with fluorinated substituents in terminal positions. The measurements were carried out using diffractometers with one- and two-coordinate proportional chambers. It was found that in contrast to -CN or -NO₂ terminated smectics, the polar -OCF₃ compounds form only a monolayer smectic A₁ phase. The ratio of the intensity of the second harmonic to the first in smectic A phases formed by molecules with lengthy perfluorinated chains was found to be two orders of magnitude higher than is commonly reported for low molar mass thermotropic mesogens, indicating deviations of the density distribution function p(z) from a pure sinusoidal form. The layer periodicity d for these mesogens exceeds the molecular length L: d/L ≃ 1·1, which corresponds to a smectic A_d phase consisting of parallel or antiparallel dimers. We have observed that lateral fluorine substitution in the benzene ring adjacent to the perfluorinated chain leads to the disturbance of uniform smectic A layering and to the formation of a defect-modulated smectic A structure of a chequer-board type. For polyphilic compounds containing both hydrogenous and perfluorinated units in the terminal chain, the in-plane structure factor displays double-peaked liquid-like profiles indicating the existence of nearest-neighbour molecular stacking at different distances. The peculiarities of smectic A layering in fluorinated mesogens are discussed in terms of steric coupling and enhanced conformational rigidity of fluorine containing moieties.     

Competition between micro-segregation and anti-parallel alignment of an amphiphilic rod-like liquid crystal

Recently, we reported that a rod-like molecule, 4-[4-(7-hydroxyheptyloxy)phenyl]-1-(4-hexylphenyl)-2,3-difluorobenzene, exhibited a nematic phase with a layered structure and smectic C phases consisting of three states. We prepared a homologous series of the rod-like molecules in which a 2,3-difluoro-1,4-diphenylbenzene unit and a hydroxyl unit are connected via a flexible methylene spacer. We investigated their physical properties using polarised optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Although they showed nematic, smectic A and smectic C phases, the phase structures were found to depend on the flexible spacer length. Those compounds possessing a shorter spacer length than a heptyl unit exhibited bilayered smectic A and smectic C phases, whereas those possessing a longer spacer length than a heptyl unit showed conventional monolayered smectic A and smectic C phases. A nematic phase with a smectic-like layer ordering was observed for the compound possessing an octyl unit. The structure–property relations of the amphiphilic compounds are discussed.     

Coexistence of two different side chain packing structures in a smectic phase of liquid-crystalline side chain polymers

Ten varieties of liquid-crystalline side chain polymers, poly(cholesteryl-ω-(methacryloyloxy)alkanoates) (pChMO-n, n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 15; the carbon number of the alkyl chain), were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and small angle X-ray scattering. On and after the first cooling run from the isotropic state, these polymethacrylates gave the same smectic phase. X-ray investigations showed that pChMO-n with short spacers (n = 1-7) has a two layer (bilayer) S_A packing structure, and pChMO-n with a longer spacer (n= 15) has a single layer (monolayer) S_A packing structure. However, these two types of packing structure appear simultaneously in pChMO-n (n = 9s-11) below their phase transition temperature. To clarify the manner of the coexistence of the two different structures the smectic layer spacing and X-ray diffraction patterns were examined by small angle X-ray scattering at various temperatures.     

Synthesis and characterization of homologous series with chiral (S)-1-methylpropyl terminal substituent

Homologous series of liquid crystalline azoesters and azomethine esters consisting of a (S)-1-methylpropyl group attached in one of the terminal positions have been synthesized and thermally characterized. All twenty-four derivatives from both series, namely, the 4-(4-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)-4'-1-(S)-methylpropylazobenzenes and 4-(4-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)benzylidene-4'-1-(S)-methylpropylanilines exhibit mesomorphism. The lower members of the homologous series show a chiral nematic phase while the higher members show smectic C*, smectic A as well as chiral nematic mesophases. The homologues have been characterized using IR, NMR and UV-Visible, spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction and DSC. Their mesomorphic properties are compared with those of structurally related homologous series.     

Microscopic organization of molecules in smectic A and chiral (racemic) smectic C phases: Dynamic molecular deformation effect on the SA to SC* (SC) transition

We investigated the correlation between orientational order and microscopic organization of the molecules in smectic A and chiral (racemic) smectic C phases by means of solid-state C-13 NMR, powder X-ray diffraction, and electrooptical measurements. The compounds under investigation are 4-((S)-2-methyloctanoyl)phenyl 4'-nonylbiphenyl-4-carboxylate ((S)-MONBIC) and its corresponding racemic compound ((S, R)-MONBIC). Static C-13 NMR indicates that: (1) the orientational angle of the tail with respect to the magnetic field decreases slightly both in the S_A and S*_C phases as decreasing temperature, and (2) the angle of the core with respect to the field decreases in the S_A phase but increases in the S*_C phase as decreasing temperature. Analysis of C-13 T₁ reveals that the dynamic molecular deformation for the core part can occur near the transition. We discuss the dynamic molecular deformation in comparison with the reorientation of the director at the S_A to S*_C transition. Based on the experimental results, we propose the structural model in which describes the microscopic organization of the molecules in the mesophases.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of four-ring liquid crystals containing 2,3-difluorophenyl and 1,3-dioxane units

Two series of novel liquid crystalline materials were synthesized: 2-(2,3-difluoro-4-alkoxyphenyl)-5-[4-(4-alkylcyclohexyl)phenyl]-1,3-dioxanes (A_m-n) and 2-(2,3-difluoro-4-alkylphenyl)-5-[4-(4-alkylcyclohexyl)phenyl]-1,3-dioxanes (B_m-n). Their mesmorphic properties were characterized by polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. All these compounds exhibit broad mesomorphic phases, and most of them show wide smectic C phases and the phase sequence Cr-SmC-SmA-N-I. The relationship between properties and chemical structures is discussed in detail.     

Side chain liquid crystal polymers observed by transmission electron microscopy: Microstructure of polymethacrylates and a polyacrylate

The smectic structures of three side chain liquid crystal polymethacrylates (PMA) with different terminal groups and a polyacrylate (P₈) were analysed by transmission electron microscopy. Using low electron doses, we were able to obtain diffraction patterns and high resolution (HREM) images from highly oriented undamaged specimens. The results are compared with those from previous X-ray diffraction experiments. All the polymers have a smectic A structure. The PMA and P₈, each with a CN terminal group, are the least ordered. Their diffraction patterns show a smectic A_d structure. PMA-OC₄H₉ and PMA-φ) have smectic A₁ structures. The smectic layers, seen by high resolution images, are very well oriented with only a few defects such as notches or kinks. In the A_d structure, the well-ordered domains are smaller, and the defects are more numerous. The differences are due to the influence of the polarization of the side chain terminated with CN.     

Roles of sigmatropic migration of a benzoyl group and intermolecular hydrogen bonding between a tropone carbonyl and an NH group on the mesomorphic properties of 2-(4-alkoxybenzoyloxy)-5-alkylaminotropones and 5-alkoxy-2-(4-alkylaminobenzoyloxy)tropo

The mesomorphic properties of 2-(4-alkoxybenzoyloxy)-5-alkylaminotropones and 5-alkoxy-2-(4-alkylaminobenzoyloxy)tropones are discussed on the basis of results obtained by X-ray crystallographic and X-ray diffraction studies, as well as temperature-dependent FTIR spectral measurements. The X-ray crystallographic analysis of 2-(4-dodecylaminobenzoyloxy)-5-tetradecyloxytropone (2f) indicated that it formed a head-to-tail dimer through an intermolecular hydrogen bond between the NH and the tropone carbonyl group. The X-ray diffraction study of compound 2f suggested that the molecules formed interdigitated bilayer smectic C phases with a tilt angle of as much as c. 40° to a layer plane. The corresponding benzenoids, however, were non-mesomorphic, with higher melting points than the troponoids. In the troponoids, sigmatropic migration of the benzoyl group weakened the intermolecular hydrogen bonding and assisted the occurrence of mesomorphic properties.     

Coordinatively saturated cyclometallated Pt(IV) azobenzene complexes: synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour

The mesomorphic 4,4-bis[4-n-octyloxybenzoyloxy]azobenzene dinuclear chloro-bridged cycloplatinated complex [(Azo)Pt(mu;-Cl)]2 (smectic C between 263 and 342 C) has been reacted with different chelating ligands, giving rise to a family of square-planar ortho-platinated derivatives, [(Azo)Pt(L)] (L = tropolonate, 8-hydroxyquinolinate and 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro2,4-pentanedionate). Thermotropic mesomorphism is preserved for these mononuclear complexes which exhibit at least a nematic mesophase and transition temperatures lower by over 100° C than that of the corresponding dimeric precursor. Oxidative addition to the Pt(II) [(Azo)Pt(L)] species of electrophilic substrates such as I₂ or CH₃I eventually led to the corresponding octahedral [(Azo)Pt(L)(I )(X)] products. The introduction of two further ligands leads to Pt(IV) derivatives showing smectic and nematic mesophases for all L ligands. For the hexacoordinated [(Azo)Pt(L)(I)(CH₃)] complexes it has been verified that the oxidative addition of methyl iodide is a thermally reversible process, indicating that these species have potential applications as switchable systems.     

Liquid-crystalline properties of chiral malolactonate monomers and their comb-shaped polymers

A series of optically pure mesogenic ester precursors, and the malolactonate monomers containing mesogenic alcohols obtained from them were prepared and polymerized to homopolymers and copolymers. The liquid-crystalline properties of the precursors, monomers and polymers were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized light microscopy and wide angle X-ray diffraction. The liquid-crystalline properties of the chiral mesogenic precursors and monomers were only slightly influenced by the chemical structure, configuration and the alkyl spacer length of the mesogenic alcohol substituent of the ester. The precursor, 1-[6-(4'-hexyloxy-4-biphenylyl)oxyhexyl] hydrogen (S)-O-mesylmalate (V-(S)-6) formed smectic E and smectic A phases on melting, while the monomer, 6-(4'-hexyloxy-4-biphenylyl)oxyhexyl (R)-malolactonate (II-(R)-6) showed only a crystal-isotropic phase transition. In contrast, the homopolymer of the latter exhibited a chiral smectic C phase. Copolymers from 2-(4'-hexyloxy-4-biphenylyl)oxyethyl (R)-malolactonate (II-(R)-2) also formed chiral smectic C phases.     

Broad liquid crystalline temperature range of ferroelectric liquid crystals

Novel ferroelectric liquid crystalline compounds, containing the (S)-2-methyl-l -butyl (4-hydroxybiphenyl-4'-carbonyloxy)biphenyl-4-carboxylate mesogenic group and an oligooxyethylene spacer, were synthesized. The mesomorphic properties of these materials were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical polarizing microscopy (POM) and powder X-ray diffraction measurement. The results indicate that all members of this series exhibit a very broad temperature mesophase range (reaching a maximum around 210°C) including a blue phase (BP), cholesteric (Ch), twist grain boundary A (TGB_A), chiral smectic C (S*_c), and smectic X (S_x) phases. The mesomorphic properties are discussed and a comparison is made with three phenyl rings of ester core analogues.     

New mesogenic compounds with trans-stilbene oxide as the central chiral core

Several derivatives with the trans-stilbene oxide moiety as the central chiral core were synthesized. With the appropriate substituents, nematic and smectic C phases were observed. One derivative was obtained with an ee of 47 per cent by asymmetric synthesis. The chemical stability of these epoxides is low and they rearrange to give substituted phenyl benzylketones which are also liquid-crystalline. The structure of the two solid phases present in all the derivatives and of the smectic C phases was investigated by X-ray diffraction.     

Liquid crystalline properties of dissymmetric molecules IV. The substituent effect on thermal properties of nematic and smectic A phases in three aromatic ring systems with ester linkages

This paper describes the effect of substituent and ester linkage on smectic properties for some derivatives of 4-R -phenyl 4-(4-octyloxybenzoyloxy)benzoates (1 ), 4-octyloxyphenyl 4-(4-R-benzyloxy)benzoates (2), 4-(4-octyloxybenzoyloxy)phenyl 4- R -benzoates (3), and 4-R-phenyl 4-octyloxyphenyl terephthalates (4) where R = OCH₃, CH₃, OC₈H₁₇, C8H17, halogens, CF₃, OCF₃, CN, NO2, etc. The thermal properties are discussed in terms of the electrostatic nature of the substituents and the relative orientation of the ester groups with respect to both terminal substituents. The substituent effect on the layer structure of the smectic A phase is also examined by means of a small angle X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of new ferroelectric liquid crystals containing a phenyl biphenyl carboxylate mesogenic group and oligooxyethylene spacers

Two series of ferroelectric liquid crystals containing a phenyl biphenyl carboxylate mesogenic group and oligooxyethylene spacers were synthesized. The mesomorphic behaviours of the compounds were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical polarizing microscopy (POM) and powder X-ray diffraction measurements. These series all contain a smectic A (S_A), a chiral smectic C (S_C) and a crystal E (C_r E) phase sequence. The ordered smectic Cr E phase was observed for the short spacer chain (n = 0, 1, 2) homologues of the two series. Moreover, the mesomorphic properties are discussed as a function of the oligooxyethylene spacer length, and the position of the aromatic core rings. These results indicate that the structures with a rigid part (biphenyl group) closer to the flexible spacer chain (oxyethylene unit) tend to form the symmetrical smectic S_A and Cr E phases.     

X-ray investigation of the nematic and reentrant nematic phases of N-[(4-n-octyloxybenzoyloxy)-salicilidene]-4'-cyanoaniline

We have performed an X-ray scattering study of the nematic-smectic A and reentrant nematic-smectic A phase transitions in N-[(4-n-octyloxybenzoyloxy)-salicilidene]-4'-cyanoaniline (OOBOSCA). A diffractometer with a linear position sensitive detector was used. The results show that the smectic phase in OOBOSCA is of the A_d type with an interlayer spacing incommensurate with the molecular length L; d ∽ 1·2L. In the reentrant nematic phase two types of fluctuation modes were found. One of them corresponds to the monolayer wavevector q₁ ∽ 2π/L, and the other is due to the partial bilayer fluctuations with the wavevector q₂ ∽ 0·8q₁. The temperature dependences of the interlayer spacing, X-ray scattering intensity and longitudinal correlation length for both types of layering in the reentrant nematic phase are presented. The change of the fluctuation regime from S_Ad, to S_Cd type with decreasing temperature in the reentrant nematic phase of OOBOSCA was found. The results are discussed on the basis of models with competing order parameters. The influence of alkyl chain flexibility on the stability of a partial bilayer smectic phase is also considered.     

Molecular modelling of the structures of liquid crystals based on phenyl ester mesogens in the smectic phase

In this work, an atom-based molecular modelling technique is applied to determine the structures of smectic E, A, and C phases composed of phenyl ester mesogens. These mesogenic molecules are abbreviated as MDn21B. A computer search with molecular mechanics calculations is performed to identify the possible low energy configurations of two adjacent molecules. According to these results, the isolated molecules with their optimized structures approach dimer associations, and the favourable alignments are antiparallel. Depending on the lowest energy associations, ten different initial models for each phase, to simulate X-ray diffraction patterns, are developed by packing the dimers with an antiparallel association into periodic boxes. Also, relaxed models are obtained by applying cycles of energy minimization and molecular dynamics under (NVT) conditions at 500 K to these initial models. Molecular dynamics runs under (NPT) conditions are then performed on these relaxed models at a temperature of each smectic phase chosen to approach equilibrated structures in these phases. Simulations are also performed, and detailed molecular structures analysed, on the basis of these equilibrated structures. The simulated X-ray diffraction patterns for smectics E, A, and C are in good agreement with those obtained experimentally. The distributions of the dihedral angles at the bonds in the aromatic cores indicate that more fluctuations occur in the smectic A and C phases than in the smectic E. The average values of the aromatic core overlap, as calculated between neighbouring mesogens in the smectic phases, are in the range 4.78-5.91 A. These values are slightly higher than those found in experimental X-ray diffraction patterns at the position 2 theta 20 . Total pair correlation functions have a similar appearance for smectics E and A. Also, these pair correlation functions are similar to the results for amorphous polymers, i.e. the total pair correlation functions lose their order outside a spherical shell with radius gamma greater than 5 A.