Synthesis and physical properties of laterally fluorinated liquid crystals containing 1,3,2-dioxaborinane and cyclohexyl units

Six series of laterally fluorinated liquid crystals containing 1,3,2-dioxaborinane and cyclohexyl units have been synthesized and characterized. Their mesomorphic properties were characterized by polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. All these compounds are thermotropic liquid crystalline materials. All three-ring compounds (series A, B and C) and most four-ring compounds (series D, E and F) exhibit only a nematic phase, while some four-ring compounds with long terminal alkyl chains show nematic, smectic A and even smectic B phases. In addition, four compounds containing a 1,3-dioxane unit were prepared, and their mesomorphic properties compared with their 1,3,2-dioxaborinane analogues. The dielectric anisotropies of selected target compounds were determined; some showed a negative anisotropy. The relationships between the properties and chemical structures of these new compounds are discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of two isomeric liquid crystal series with reactive double bonds

Two series of potentially cross-linkable liquid crystal materials derived from p-phenylenebisacrylic (series I, n(P.FB.P), n = 2-10) and p-hydroxycinnamic acid (series II, n(HC.T.HC), n = 2-10) have been synthesized and their thermal and mesomorphic properties studied. All these compounds show enantiotropic mesomorphism over a wide range of temperatures. Compounds with short terminal chains are nematic and when the terminal chain length is increased they show smectic polymorphism-smectic A and C. Most of the compounds are thermally stable over their mesophase ranges.     

Dimeric compounds containing malonic acid as the central linking unit: synthesis and mesomorphic properties

Eight new dimeric compounds containing malonic acid as the central linking unit (series M- n - X ) have been synthesized and their mesomorphic properties studied. All these compounds are found to be liquid crystalline, forming mainly nematic and smectic phases. We have carried out microscopic textural observations, X-ray diffractometry as well as solid state NMR studies on these compounds.     

Dimeric compounds containing malonic acid as the central linking unit: synthesis and mesomorphic properties

Eight new dimeric compounds containing malonic acid as the central linking unit (series M- ^n?X) have been synthesized and their mesomorphic properties studied. All these compounds are found to be liquid crystalline, forming mainly nematic and smectic phases. We have carried out microscopic textural observations, X-ray diffractometry as well as solid state NMR studies on these compounds.     

Heterocyclic benzoxazole-based liquid crystals

The synthesis, characterization, and mesomorphic properties of a new type of heteronuclear compounds 1a-c and a Pd complex 1d derived from benzoxazole as the core group are reported. These compounds were prepared by the ring closure reaction of 4-alkoxybenzoic acid 4-[(4-alkoxy-2-hydroxyphenylimino)methyl]phenyl esters 6 in the presence of lead(IV) acetate. All the compounds were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies and elemental analysis. The phase behaviour of these mesogenic compounds was characterized and studied by differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. All the compounds 1a exhibited nematic (N) and/or smectic C (SmC) phases, as expected for rod-like molecules; however, the compounds 1b and 1c exhibited crystal phases. For those compounds 1a having shorter carbon chains (n = 1, 3, 4) nematic phases were observed, whereas for compounds having longer carbon chains (n = 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14) smectic C behaviour was also observed at lower temperatures. The greater aspect ratio (l/d) of compounds 1a compared with 1b and 1c was found to be required for the observation of liquid crystallinity. The fluorescent properties of these compounds were also examined. All λ_max peaks of the absorption and photoluminescence spectra of compounds 1a-1c occurred at c. 316-322 nm and 371-382 nm, respectively. The quantum yields of some compounds were relatively low, and also slightly solvent-dependent.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of fluoro-containing azobenzene liquid crystals

Four series of azobenzene liquid crystal compounds containing a fluorinated tolan unit have been synthesized. The mesomorphic behaviours of these compounds were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and optical polarizing microscopy. The compounds of these series exhibit a nematic, a smectic C or a smectic B phase. This investigation revealed that the alkoxy chain at the side of the azobenzene moiety plays a more important role in the formation of smectic phases than the one at the side of the tolan moiety.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of fluoro-containing azobenzene liquid crystals

Four series of azobenzene liquid crystal compounds containing a fluorinated tolan unit have been synthesized. The mesomorphic behaviours of these compounds were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and optical polarizing microscopy. The compounds of these series exhibit a nematic, a smectic C or a smectic B phase. This investigation revealed that the alkoxy chain at the side of the azobenzene moiety plays a more important role in the formation of smectic phases than the one at the side of the tolan moiety.     

Synthesis of two naphthyl-containing homologous series of mesogenic ligands and the related metallomesogens containing Cu(II)

Two new naphthyl-containing homologous series of mesogenic ligands, the 4-n-alkoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene-2'-naphthylamines (series I) and 4(4'-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)-2-hydroxybenzylidene-2'-naphthylamines (series II), as well as the related metallomesogens of higher homologues containing a Cu(II) atom, have been synthesized. All the ligands and complexes were characterized by a combination of elemental analysis and standard spectroscopic methods. In series I, n-heptyloxy and n-octyloxy derivatives are non-mesogenic whereas the remaining higher members synthesized exhibit a monotropic nematic mesophase. In series II, all the members synthesized exhibit an enantiotropic nematic mesophase. All the metallomesogens of series I synthesized exhibit a monotropic smectic A mesophase, except for the n-octyloxy derivative, which is non-mesogenic, whereas metallomesogens of series II exhibit enantiotropic nematic mesophases up to the n-tetradecyloxy derivatives; the n-tetradecyloxy and n-hexadecyloxy derivatives also exhibit smectic C mesophases. All the members of series II and their metallomesogens exhibit mesophases with wide temperature ranges and greater thermal stability as compared to series I and their metallomesogens, respectively. The mesomorphic properties of both the present series and their metallomesogens are compared with each other and with other structurally related series to evaluate the effect of the naphthalene moiety on mesomorphism.     

New 1,2,4- and 1,3,4-oxadiazole materials: synthesis, and mesomorphic and luminescence properties

The synthesis and liquid crystalline properties of new series of 1,2,4- and 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives (2a-f and 5a-f respectively) are reported. These compounds contain only one terminal flexible alkoxy chain, the other terminal substituent is a protecting benzyl group. All compounds of series 2 exhibit an enantiotropic nematic phase. The homologue with the longest chain (2f) displays an enantiotropic dimorphism smectic A- nematic. None of the compounds of series 5 shows mesomorphism and only crystal-isotropic transitions were observed. The liquid crystalline properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray measurements. Luminescence properties, in chloroform solution, of 2f and the series 5 compounds were evaluated. Good photoluminescence quantum yields for compounds of series 5 were observed. Compound 2f, incorporating the 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring shows a very strong reduction in emissive properties.     

Azomesogens with polar chloro,nitro and phenolic –OH substituents

Two new mesogenic homologous series containing chloro, nitro and phenolic hydroxy groups were synthesised and their molecular structures characterised by a combination of element analysis and standard spectroscopic methods. The mesomorphic behaviour of the compounds of both series was investigated by polarising optical microscopy and, in some cases, differential scanning calorimetry. All the compounds of both the series exhibit an enantiotropic nematic mesophase. In series I higher members also exhibit an enantiotropic smectic A (SmA) mesophase, whereas in series II the enantiotropic SmA mesophase commences somewhat earlier for the middle members. The mesomorphic properties of both series are compared with each other and also with the properties of other structurally related series to evaluate the effects of different polar substituents on mesomorphism.     

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.     

Mesogenic cinnamates with a substituted ethyl terminal chain

Two new mesogenic homologous series of liquid crystalline cinnamates with substituted ethyl tails, β-methoxyethyl [4-(4'-n-alkoxycinnamoyloxy)benzoates (I) and β-chloroethyl [4-(4'-n-alkoxycinnamoyloxy)benzoates (II), have been synthesized and characterized by a combination of elemental analysis and standard spectroscopic methods. In series I, lower-chain members exhibit nematic mesophase, middle members exhibit enantiotropic nematic as well as smectic A (SmA) mesophases, whereas higher members exhibit only an enantiotropic SmA mesophase. In series II, methoxy to n-butyloxy derivatives exhibit a monotropic nematic mesophase. The SmA mesophase commences from n-propyloxy derivative as monotropic and persists up to the last member synthesized. The mesomorphic properties of present series were compared with each other and with a structurally related mesogenic homologous series to evaluate the effects of substituted ethyl tail and cinnamoyloxy central linkage on mesomorphism.     

Synthesis of UV-curable liquid crystalline diacrylates for the application of polarized electroluminescence

Two series of UV-curable rod-like diacrylates containing bis-tolane (M1-M5) and bis-stilbene (M6-M10) mesogens were synthesized. All of the diacrylates were prepared through convergent syntheses involving palladium-catalysed coupling reactions. The thermal transitions and mesomorphic properties of the diacrylates were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and optical microscopy. All the bis-tolane-based monomers reveal nematic phases, except M5 which shows no mesomorphic behaviour. For the bis-stilbene based monomers, most show no mesomorphic behavior and only M7 and M9 exhibit a SmA phase.     

Synthesis,characterisation and liquid crystalline properties of some Schiff base-ester central linkage involving 2, 6- disubstituted naphthalene ring system

Four new mesogenic homologous series, each containing a 6-alkoxy 2-naphthoic acid and Schiff base-ester as central linkage, have been synthesised by esterification of 4-{[(4-hydroxyphenyl) imino] methyl} phenyl 4-propoxy benzoate, 4-{[(4-hydroxyphenyl) imino] methyl} phenyl 4- (pentyloxy) benzoate, 4-{[(4-hydroxyphenyl)imino]methyl}-2-methoxyphenyl 4- nitrobenzoate and 4-{[(4-hydroxyphenyl)imino]methyl}-2-methoxyphenyl 4- chlorobenzoate with different 6-alkoxy 2-naphthoic acid to give Series-A, -B, -C and -D, respectively. These compounds were characterised by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet-visible and mass spectral studies. Their mesomorphic behaviour was studied by polarising optical microscope (POM) with a heating stage. POM data were compared with differential scanning calorimetry thermograms. In Series-A and -B all compounds exhibit mesomorphism. Series-A compounds exhibit a enantiotropic nematic mesophase, while a smectic A mesophase is observed from the butoxy derivative and persists up to the last member of the homologou series. Series-B compounds also exhibit the enantiotropic nematic mesophase, while the smectic A mesophase is observed from the ethoxy derivative and persists up to the last member of the homologou series. The mesomorphic properties of both series are compared with each other and the other structurally related Series-C and –D compounds. In Series-C and -D all compounds exhibit the only nematic mesophase; no smectic mesophase is observed even for higher members of the homologous.

The aim of the research was to synthesise and characterise novel liquid crystalline compounds containing 2,6-disubstituted naphthalene and to study their mesomorphic properties.     

Synthesis and liquid crystalline properties of novel compounds containing a 3-fluoro-4-cyanophenoxy group

A series of novel compounds containing a 3-fluoro-4-cyanophenoxy group were synthesized and fully characterized by IR and ¹H NMR, and their mesomorphic properties were studied. Seven compounds exhibited enantiotropic nematic phases and three compounds exhibited monotropic nematic phases, as confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. Selected properties of the liquid crystalline compounds synthesized were calculated by ab initio methods at a HF/6-31G level. The bond lengths, bond angles and dihedral angles of the fragments with the same structure change little between the compounds. All the compounds with a terminal alkoxy chain approached a planar structure.     

Novel chiral liquid crystals based on amides and azo compounds derived from 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazoles: synthesis and mesomorphic properties

Novel chiral amides (Ia-Ie, II) and azo compounds (III, IV) with a 1,3,4-thiadiazole unit in the rigid core were synthesized and their liquid crystalline properties investigated by polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The amides Ia-Ie contain a chiral alkoxy chain derived from (R)-2-octanol and an achiral chain varying from 6 to 10 carbon atoms at the end of the rigid core. In amide II one of the terminal group is a chiral alkoxy chain derived from (S)-isoleucine and the other terminal substituent is an achiral n-decyloxy chain. Azo compounds III and IV contain an achiral n-decyloxy chain and a chiral alkoxy chain derived from (R)-2-octanol and (S)-isoleucine, respectively, at the end of the rigid core. The first homologue in the series of amides (Ia) exhibits enantiotropic smectic X (SmX)-chiral nematic (N*) dimorphism and the homologues Ib-Ie display enantiotropic SmX-chiral smectic C (SmC*)-N* mesomorphism. Amide II displays an enantiotropic smectic A phase. The azo compounds III and IV do not show smectic order and only an enantiotropic N* phase was observed. Thus, the mesomorphic behaviour depends on the nature of the central linkage and on the nature of the chiral alkoxy chain.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of esters derived from Schiff's bases containing 1,3,4-thiadiazole

Two homologous series of esters derived from Schiff's bases containing the 1,3,4-thiadiazole unit (series 3 and 5) were synthesized and their liquid crystalline properties investigated by optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Depending on the position occupied by the carbonyl group, the smectic A phase was observed in series 3 and nematic phase in series 5.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour of wedge-shaped nematic liquid crystals with flexoelectric properties

The synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour of a series of wedge-shaped liquid crystals and some reference compounds are reported. These unusual liquid crystals possess smectic C, smectic A and nematic phases. These new wedge-shaped materials with a high degree of shape anisotropy and a large dipole moment can be used to induce an increase in the flexoelectric effects of nematic guest-host mixtures as dopants at low concentrations.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of some platinum(II) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes

The synthesis and mesomorphic properties of a homologous series of N-(2-hydroxy-4-n-alkoxybenzylidene)-4'-n-decylphenylanilines and their platinum(II) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes are reported. All the ligands and their metal chelates exhibit enantiotropic mesophases, predominantly smectic A and smectic C phases. The transition temperatures and enthalpies have been determined for most of the compounds. The platinum(II) complexes have higher melting points and mesophase thermal stabilities. However, the oxovanadium(IV) complexes have a wider thermal range for the mesophase. Both platinum(II) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes containing only a chain on the biphenyl moiety exhibit a nematic phase.     

Azo compounds and Schiff 's bases derived from 5-(4-pyridyl)-2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole: synthesis, mesomorphic properties and structural study by semi-empirical calculations

The synthesis and liquid crystalline properties of new Schiff 's bases (series 3a-f) and azo compounds (4a-f) incorporating pyridine and 1,3,4-thiadiazole rings are reported. The first homologues in the series of Schiff's bases (3a-c) show a monotropic mesophase and the homologues 3d-f display an enantiotropic SmA phase. The only azo compounds to exhibit liquid crystalline properties are the homologues 4e, f which show a monotropic nematic phase. These series are compared with Schiff's bases and azo compounds analogues (series 5 and 6), previously reported by us and an AM1 study of the structure/mesomorphic property relationship is described.