Syntheses and electrochemical properties of polyoxometalate salts with Dawson structure

Two new solid hybrid molecular materials [PyPS]H₆P₂W₁₇VO₆₂ and [PyPS]H₈P₂W₁₅V₃O₆₂ have been synthesized from 1-(3-sulfonic group) propyl-pyridine ionic liquid cation and tungstovanadophosphoric anion with the Dawson structure. They were characterized by element analysis, impedance spectroscopy (IS), IR- and UV-spectroscopy. The formation of the hybrid molecular compounds with the Dawson structure was showed. Ion conductivity of [PyPS]H₆P₂W₁₇VO₆₂ and [PyPS]H₈P₂W₁₅V₃O₆₂ are 3.99 × 10^?3 and 7.37 × 10^?3 S cm^?1 at 18°C and 55% relative humidity respectively. The activation energies of proton conductivity are 28.2 and 26.7 kJ mol^?1 respectively.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Functionalization of Hyperbranched Poly(ether ether ketone)s with Phenoxypheyl Side Group

Novel fluoride‐teminated hyperbranched poly(ether ether ketone) with 4‐phenoxyphenyl side group (HPEEK‐F) was prepared from 2‐(4‐phenoxyphenyl)‐1,4‐diphenol (A₂) and 1,3,5‐tris[4‐(4‐flourobenzoyl) phenoxy]benzene (B₃). An end‐capping approach was used to synthesize tertiary amino‐terminated fluorescent (HPEEK‐DMA) and phenyl ethynyl‐terminated self‐crosslinking poly(ether ether ketone)s (HPEEK‐PEP). These three polymers have the same backbone structure and degree of branching (DB=0.67), and different terminal groups. The nature of the terminal group was shown as the influences of the glass transition temperature (T_g) and decomposition temperature (T_d) of polymers. The T_g of HPEEK‐F and HPEEK‐DMA are 30°C lower than HPEEK‐PEP, whereas the T_d of HPEEK‐F are 90°C and 50°C higher than HPEEK‐DMA and HPEEK‐PEP, respectively. The HPEEK‐DMA fluoresce blue‐green in solid and in solution. This kind of hyperbranched polymer contains a large amount of terminal chromophore groups which can easily lead to the formation of intramolecular excimers. The fluorescence signal was decreased with increasing acidity, furthermore, the two peaks at 466 nm and 507 nm indicated a blue shift occurred. After curing, the HPEEK‐PEP displayed a T_g at 235.5°C, which is 100°C higher than original polymers. Thermally cured samples show good anti‐chemical corrodibility in DMF, THF, DMAc and NMP solvents.     

Electric field‐induced birefringence,optical rotatory power and conoscopic measurements of a chiral antiferroelectric smectic liquid crystal

Using a photoelastic modulator‐based novel set‐up, the electric field‐induced in‐plane birefringence and the optical rotatory power (ORP) were measured of an antiferroelectric liquid crystalline compound (12OF1M7) in its various phases using 30 µm homeotropic cells. Some specific signatures of the in‐plane birefringence and of the ORP for the various phases are being established. A relatively small threshold field is needed for the unwinding process of the antiferroelectric phase with a unit cell of four layers [SmC_A*(1/2)] compared with that for two layers [SmC_A*(0)]. On application of the electric field on the high temperature side of the SmC_A*(1/2) phase (80.1–81.5°C), a field‐induced phase transition is shown to occur directly to the SmC* phase, whereas on the lower temperature side (79.4–80.1°C) the transition takes place to SmC* via the SmC_A*(1/3) phase. The in‐plane birefringence exhibits a critical power law dependence for the SmC*–SmA transition. The ORP changes sign within the temperature range of the phase with a unit cell of three layers, reflecting a change in the handedness during this phase. Using tilted conoscopy, the results for the biaxiality and the apparent tilt angle for a smectic liquid crystal with a tilt angle greater than 18° in the ferroelectric phase are reported. The biaxiality implies the difference in the refractive indices between the two minor axes of the refractive index ellipsoid. The optical transmittance at visible and IR wavelengths for free‐standing films reveal characteristic reflection bands for these phases. The modulated structures of the reflected bands appear just above the SmC_A* phase and below SmC_A*(1/3); these are possibly due to an easy deformation of the phase by the surfaces.     

Synthesis and characterization of organo‐soluble polyamides containing triaryl imidazole pendant and ether linkage moieties: thermal,photophysical, and chemiluminescent properties

A new symmetrical diamine monomer containing a triaryl imidazole pendant group was successfully synthesized by the nucleophilic substitution of hydroquinone with the synthesized 2‐(2‐chloro‐5‐nitrophenyl)‐4, 5‐diphenyl‐1H‐imidazole (I). A series of novel polyamides were prepared from the diamine monomer and various aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids via phosphorylation polyamidation. These polyamides are readily soluble in many organic solvents; their inherent viscosities ranged from 0.68 to 0.89 dl/g and gave tough and flexible films by solution‐casting. They had useful levels of thermal stability associated with relatively high T_gs (186–278°C), 10% weight loss temperatures in the range of 355–482°C, and char yields at 600°C in air up to 67%. All the polyamides have fluorescence emission in dilute (0.2 g/dl) DMAc solution with maxima at 425–495 nm and with the quantum yields in the range 14–28%. The chemiluminescence activity of polyamides was also studied in the presence of peroxyoxalate. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and properties of 5,10,15,20‐tetra[(4‐alkoxy‐3‐ethyloxy)phenyl]porphyrin hydroxylanthanide liquid crystal complexes

Twelve 5, 10, 15, 20‐tetra[(4‐alkoxy‐3‐ethyloxy)phenyl]porphyrin hydroxylanthanide complexes Ln[(C _n OEOP)₄P](OH) (n?=?12, 14, 16;Ln?=?Tb, Dy, Er, Yb) and three ligands have been synthesized and their composition, structure and spectral properties studied. Their liquid crystalline behaviour is also presented. Differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy reveal that all exhibit a discotic liquid crystalline phase. X‐ray diffraction shows that the mesophase is a hexagonal columnar, Col_h. The lanthanide ion, which is coordinated to the four nitrogen atoms of the porphyrin and to the oxygen atom of the hydroxyl group, is out of the porphyrin molecular plane. All the complexes are stable below 200°C and undergo complete decomposition at 800°C. The fluorescence quantum yields of the lanthanide complexes are much lower than those of the corresponding ligands. The electrochemical studies show that the redox potentials do not change on varying the chain length.     

Synergism and multiple mechanical relaxations observed in ternary systems based on benzoxazine,epoxy, and phenolic resins

The synergism in the glass‐transition temperature (T_g) of ternary systems based on benzoxazine (B), epoxy (E), and phenolic (P) resins is reported. The systems show the maximum T_g up to about 180 °C in BEP541 (B/E/P = 5/4/1). Adding a small fraction of phenolic resin enhances the crosslink density and, therefore, the T_g in the copolymers of benzoxazine and epoxy resins. To obtain the ultimate T_g in the ternary systems, 6–10 wt % phenolic resin is needed. The molecular rigidity from benzoxazine and the improved crosslink density from epoxy contribute to the synergistic behavior. The mechanical relaxation spectra of the fully cured ternary systems in a temperature range of −140 to 350 °C show four types of relaxation transitions: γ transition at −80 to −60 °C, β transition at 60–80 °C, α₁ transition at 135–190 °C, and α₂ transition at 290–300 °C. The partially cured specimens show an additional loss peak that is frequency‐independent as a result of the further curing process of the materials. The ternary systems have a potential use as electronic packaging molding compounds as well as other highly filled systems. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 1687–1698, 2000     

Viscoelastic behaviors and molecular motions of highly syndiotactic poly(vinyl alcohol) fibers

The viscoelastic behavior and molecular motion of highly syndiotactic poly(vinyl alcohol) (S‐PVA) fibers with a dyad syndiotacticity (r) of 69% were studied by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and compared with those of atactic poly(vinyl alcohol) (A‐PVA) fibers with r = 54%. The β_c dispersion, based on the molecular motion of the chain molecules in the crystalline regions, was observed for A‐PVA around 120–140 °C, and the only primary (α_c) dispersion was observed for S‐PVA around 180 °C. The thermal expansion coefficients for the a and c axes of the A‐PVA crystal changed discontinuously around 120 °C, which corresponded to the β_c dispersion. For S‐PVA, the coefficient for the (002) plane changed discontinuously around 100 °C, similarly to A‐PVA, but that for the (100) plane remained unchanged between 20 and 220 °C. These results showed that the intermolecular hydrogen bonding of S‐PVA was stronger in the direction of the a axis than in the other directions, suppressing the β_c dispersion. The storage modulus and thermal expansion coefficient of the (020) plane (molecular axis) of S‐PVA decreased markedly around 180 °C, and this indicated that the α_c dispersion was due to the torsional motion of the molecular chains in the crystalline regions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 800–808, 2004     

Poly(bis‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxymethyl oxetane): Multiple crystal phases,crystallization‐induced surface topological complexity and enhanced hydrophobicity

Semicrystalline poly(bis‐trifluoroethoxymethyl)oxetane, P(B‐3FOx), was prepared by cationic ring‐opening polymerization at ?5 °C with M_n up to 21 kDa. Differences in cooling rates from the melt have substantial effects on crystal phase, percent crystallinity, surface topography, and wetting behavior. DSC and WAXD show that cooling from the melt at slow rates (<5 °C/min) gives α‐P(B‐3FOx) with ΔH_f = 22–27 J/g. Quenching from the melt results in β‐P(B‐3FOx) for which a mesophase structure is suggested. β‐P(B‐3FOx) melts at 53 °C followed by recrystallization to α‐P(B‐3FOx). Solution casting from THF results in third phase, γ‐P(B‐3FOx). TM‐AFM and SEM imaging for α‐P(B‐3FOx) showed that cold crystallization at 25 °C brought about increased crystallinity and surface topologies characterized by sharp asperities and lath‐shaped crystals. Spontaneous surface roughening of α‐P(B‐3FOx) results in a discontinuous three‐phase contact line with water and an increase in water sessile drop contact angle from 106° to 136°. The ～30° increase in water contact angle was attributed primarily to a topological change from a relatively smooth surface (Wenzel state) to an asperity‐rich surface yielding a discontinuous three‐phase contact line (composite of Wenzel and Cassie‐Baxter state). The oleophobicity for this polymer, which contains only a single ? CF₃ end group on each side chain, compares favorably with more highly fluorinated acrylates. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1022–1034, 2010     

Study on the Phase Diagram of CsCl-CeCl3-HCl(11%)-H2O System and the Properties of the Compounds

The equilibrium solubility of CsCl-CeCl3-HCl(11%)-H2O qua-ternary system at 25℃ has been determined by the physicchemical analysis method ,and the phase diagram was plotted, Two new double salts 3CsCl.CeCl3.3H2O and CsCl.CeCl3.4H2O obtained from the complicated system were identified and characterized by XRD,TG-DTA ,DSC,UV and fluorescence spectroscopy, Studies on the fluorescence excitation and emission show that 3CsCl.CeCl3.3H2O and CsCl.CeCl3.4H2O have upconversion luminescence of infrared-visible range,and the upconversion emission intensity increases with the increase of ratio of CeCl3 in CsCl.     

2‐Phenanthrenyl–DNA: Synthesis,Pairing, and Fluorescence Properties

Three 2′‐phenanthrenyl‐C‐deoxyribonucleosides with donor (phenNH₂), acceptor (phenNO₂), or no (phenH) substitution on the phenanthrenyl core were synthesized and incorporated into oligodeoxyribonucleotides. Duplexes containing either one or three consecutive phenR residues, which were located opposite each other, were formed. Within these residues, the phenR residues are expected to recognize each other through interstrand stacking interactions, in much the same way as described previously for biphenyl DNA. The thermal, thermodynamic, and fluorescence properties of such duplexes were determined by UV melting analysis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Depending on the nature of the substituent, the thermal stability of single‐modified duplexes can vary between ?2.7 to +11.3 °C in T_m and that of triple‐modified duplexes from +7.8 to +11.1 °C. Van′t Hoff analysis suggested that the observed higher thermodynamic stability in phenH‐ and phenNO₂‐containing duplexes is of enthalpic origin. A single phenH or phenNO₂ residue in a bulge position also stabilizes a corresponding duplex. If a phenNO₂ residue is placed in a bulge position next to a base mismatch this can lead, in a sequence‐dependent manner, to duplex destabilization. The phenNO₂ residue was found to be a highly efficient (10–100‐fold) quencher of phenH and phenNH₂ fluorescence if placed in the opposite position to the fluorophores. When phenH and phenNH₂ residues were placed opposite each other, efficient quenching of phenH and enhancement of phenNH₂ fluorescence was found, which is an indicator for electron‐ or energy‐transfer processes between the aromatic units.     

Azin­yl sulfides. LXXXI. 14‐Phen­yl‐7‐thia­pyrano[2,3‐c;6,5‐c′]diquinoline‐14‐carbonitrile

The mol­ecules of the title compound, C₂₆H₁₅N₃S, have a penta­cyclic ring system which is almost planar, with the central ring in a flattened boat conformation. The folding angle between the two quinoline rings is 6.75 (7)°. The 14‐phen­yl substituent is in a quasi‐axial conformation, while the 14‐cyano substituent is in a quasi‐equatorial conformation with respect to the thio­pyran ring. The S⋯C—C_phen­yl and S⋯C—C_CN angles are 116.8 (2) and 129.3 (2)°, respectively. The plane of the phen­yl group is nearly coplanar with the plane bis­ecting the dihedral angle of the penta­cyclic ring system.     

Relating Trp‐Glu dipeptide fluorescence to molecular conformation: The role of the discrete chi 1 and chi 2 angles

Molecular dynamics (MD), coupled with fluorescence data for charged dipeptides of tryptophanyl glutamic acid (Trp‐Glu), reveal a detailed picture of how specific conformation affects fluorescence. Fluorescence emission spectra and time‐resolved emission measurements have been collected for all four charged species. MD simulations 20 to 30 ns in length have also been carried out for the Trp‐Glu species, as simulation provides aqueous phase conformational data that can be correlated with the fluorescence data. The calculations show that each dipeptide species is characterized by a similar set of six, discrete Chi 1, Chi 2 dihedral angle pairs. The preferred Chi 1 angles—60°, 180°, and 300°—play the significant role in positioning the terminal amine relative to the indole ring. A Chi 1 angle of 60° results in the arching of the backbone over the indole ring and no interaction of the ring with the terminal amine. Chi 1 values of 180° and 300° result in an extension of the backbone away from the indole ring and a NH₃ cation‐π interaction with indole. This interaction is believed responsible for charge transfer quenching. Two fluorescence lifetimes and their corresponding amplitudes correlate with the Chi 1 angle probability distribution for all four charged Trp‐Glu dipeptides. Fluorescence emission band maxima are also consistent with the proposed pattern of terminal amine cation quenching of fluorescence. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis of pyrene‐capped polystyrene by free radical polymerization and its application in direct exfoliation of graphite into graphene nanosheets

It is of great practical significance to acquire pyrene‐capped polymer, which has proven an excellent dispersant of nanocarbons, in an accessible way. Taking synthesis of pyrene‐capped polystyrene (PyPS) as the example, free radical polymerization was demonstrated to be an attractive option to satisfactorily fulfill such mission. For this, a new azo‐based pyrenyl compound was designed, synthesized, and used as initiator. The molecular structure of PyPS was studied as a function of polymerization temperature and content of chain transfer agent of 1‐dodecanethiol. Following the successful synthesis, a PyPS polymer structured as 1.04 pyrene groups per chain was chosen as dispersant for preparation of graphene. The results showed that 0.2 mg/mL of PyPS in chloroform permits 67.4 μg/mL of graphene nanosheets to be prepared by liquid‐phase exfoliation of graphite. In contrast, only 8.5 μg/mL of graphene nanosheets could be obtained in pure chloroform. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2175–2185     

Polycyclotrimerization of aromatic diynes: Synthesis,thermal stability,and light‐emitting properties of hyperbranched polyarylenes

New aromatic diyne monomers of 1,4‐diethynyl‐2,5‐(dihexyloxy)benzene ( 1 ), 1,6‐diethynyl‐2‐(hexyloxy)naphthalene ( 2 ), and 9,9‐bis(4‐ethynylphenyl)fluorene ( 3 ) are synthesized. Their homopolymerizations and copolymerizations with 1‐octyne ( 4 ) or phenylacetylene ( 5 ) are effected by TaBr₅–Ph₄Sn and CpCo(CO)₂–hν, giving soluble hyperbranched polyarylenes with high molecular weights (M_w up to ～ 2.9 × 10⁵) in high yields (up to 99%). The structures and properties of the polymers are characterized and evaluated by IR, NMR, UV, PL, and TGA analysis. The polymers show excellent thermal stability (T_d > 400 °C) and carbonize when pyrolyzed at 900 °C. Upon photoexcitation, the polymers emit deep blue light in the vicinity of ～400 nm with fluorescence quantum yields up to 92%. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4249–4263, 2007     

Kristallstruktur,Phasenumwandlung und Kaliumionenleitfähigkeit von Kaliumtrifluormethylsulfonat

Crystal Structure, Phase Transition, and Potassium Ion Conductivity of Potassium Trifluoromethanesulfonate According to the results of temperature dependent powder diffractometry (Guinier‐Simon‐technique) potassium trifluoromethanesulfonate is dimorphic. The phase transition occurs between –63 °C and –45 °C. The low‐temperature modification crystallizes monoclinic with a = 10.300(3) Å, b = 6.052(1) Å, c = 14.710(4) Å, β = 111.83(2)° (–120 °C) and the room‐temperature modification with a = 10.679(5) Å, b = 5.963(2) Å, c = 14.624(5) Å, β = 111.57(3)°, Z = 6, P2₁. According to single crystal structure determination, potassium trifluoromethanesulfonate consists of three different potassium‐oxygen‐coordination polyhedra, linked by sulfur atoms of the trifluoromethanesulfonate groups. This results in a channel structure with all lipophilic trifluoromethane groups pointing into these channels. By means of DSC, the transition temperature and enthalpy have been determined to be –33 °C and 0.93 ± 0.03 kJ/mol, respectively. The enthalpy of melting (237 °C) for potassium trifluoromethanesulfonate is 13.59 kJ/mol, the potassium ionic conductivity is 3.68 · 10^–6 Scm^–1 at 205 °C.     

4‐[1‐(Phenylsulfonyl)indol‐3‐yl]‐3a,4,5,9b‐tetrahydro‐3H‐cyclopenta[c]quinoline

In the title compound, C₂₆H₂₂N₂O₂S, the tetra­hydro­pyridine ring has a conformation intermediate between half‐chair and sofa. The tetrahydroquinoline mean plane makes a dihedral angle of 73.3 (1)° with the cyclopentene ring, which adopts an envelope conformation, and an angle of 45.45 (4)° with the indole best plane. The dihedral angle between the benzene and pyrrole rings is 2.6 (1)°. The orientations of the phenyl ring on the sulfonyl group and of the indole are governed by weak C—H?O interactions. The packing of the mol­ecule in the solid state is stabilized by C—H?O and C—H?N hydrogen bonds.     

High Temperature Affects Photosynthetic and Molecular Processes in Field‐Cultivated Vitis vinifera L. × Vitis labrusca L.

High‐temperature stress markedly influences grape growth and development. However, how high‐temperature stress response differs between controlled and field‐cultivated grape is poorly understood. In this study, the effects of heat treatment on grapevines were studied for changes in photosystem II (PSII) activity and expression levels of heat‐responsive genes and heat shock protein HSP21. July 31st, 2015 was considered as the post high‐temperature treatment (“42°C”; temperatures above 40°C for a period of time each day ranging from 1–7 h) under field cultivation in our experiment. The recovery of chlorophyll fluorescence indicators and the increasing expression of heat‐responsive genes and the heat shock protein HSP21 suggested the development of heat tolerance in the form of acclimation in grape. Changes in various parameters of photosynthetic pigment fluorescence and of the electron transport chain (Fv/Fm, PI_ABS, W_k, RC_QA, Φ_Po, and Φ_Eo) between “42°C” and the 45°C treatment demonstrated that the donor side, reaction center, and acceptor side of PSII were influenced by a critical high temperature. Furthermore, the difference between the two cultivation conditions studied was attributed to other environmental factors and inherent tree vigor.     

[η6‐1‐Chloro‐2‐(pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)benzene](η5‐cyclopentadienyl)iron(II) hexafluoridophosphate and (η5‐cyclopentadienyl){2‐[η6‐2‐(pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)phenyl]phenol}iron(II) hexafluoridophosphate

In the complex salt [η⁶‐1‐chloro‐2‐(pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)benzene](η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl)iron(II) hexafluoridophosphate, [Fe(C₅H₅)(C₁₀H₁₂ClN)]PF₆, (I), the complexed cyclopentadienyl and benzene rings are almost parallel, with a dihedral angle between their planes of 2.3 (3)°. In a related complex salt, (η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl){2‐[η⁶‐2‐(pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)phenyl]phenol}iron(II) hexafluoridophosphate, [Fe(C₅H₅)(C₁₆H₁₇NO)]PF₆, (II), the analogous angle is 5.4 (1)°. In both complexes, the aromatic C atom bound to the pyrrolidine N atom is located out of the plane defined by the remaining five ring C atoms. The dihedral angles between the plane of these five ring atoms and a plane defined by the N‐bound aromatic C atom and two neighboring C atoms are 9.7 (8) and 5.6 (2)° for (I) and (II), respectively.     

cis‐Bis(3,6‐di­hydro‐2H‐1,2‐oxazine‐N)­di­iodo­platinum(II) and cis‐bis(3,4,5,6‐tetra­hydro‐2H‐1,2‐oxazine‐N)­di­iodo­platinum(II)

The title complexes, [Pt(C₄H₇NO)₂I₂], (I), and [Pt(C₄H₉NO)₂I₂], (II), possess similar square‐planar coordination geometries with modest distortions from ideality. For (I), the cis‐L—Pt—L angles are in the range 87.0 (4)–94.2 (3)°, while the trans angles are 174.4 (3) and 176.4 (3)°. For (II), cis‐L—Pt—L are 86.1 (8)–94.2 (6)° and trans‐L—Pt—L are 174.4 (6) and 177.4 (5)°. One 3,6‐di­hydro‐2H‐1,2‐oxazine ligand in (I) is rotated so that the N—O bond is out of the square plane by approximately 70°, while the N—C bond is only ca 20° out of the plane. The other oxazine ligand is rotated so that the N—C bond is about 80° out of the plane, while the N—O bond is out of the plane by approximately 24°. In (II), the 3,4,5,6‐tetra­hydro‐2H‐1,2‐oxazine ligands are also positioned with one having the N—O bond further out of the plane and the other having the N—C bond positioned in that fashion. Both ligands, however, are rotated approximately 90° compared with their positions in (I). In both complexes, this results in an unsymmetrical distortion of the I—Pt—N bond angles in which one is expanded and the other contracted. These features are compared to those of reported cis‐di­amine­di­iodo­platinum(II) complexes.     

Syntheses and alignment behavior of liquid crystalline polymethacrylates having 2‐ and 4‐styrylpyridine moieties

Two kinds of polymethacrylates, 1 and 2 , with 2‐styrylpyridine and 4‐styrylpyridine moiety as a photoreactive group, which have a benzoate group as a mesogenic unit, and hexylene group as a flexible spacer in the same side chain, were synthesized to characterize their alignment behaviors. The UV absorption and fluorescence studies on the two polymers revealed that the latter polymer with the 4‐stylrylpyridine moiety is more aggregative than the former polymer with the 2‐styrylpyridine moiety. The polymer 1 showed a nematic phase structure at 170 °C, while 2 appeared in a partially bilayered smectic A phase structure in the homeotropic direction at 175 °C. The polymer 1 film generated an in‐plane alignment by a linearly polarized UV light irradiation and subsequent annealing, and its direction was parallel with respect to the irradiation. On the other hand, the polymer 2 film with the same treatments gave a high out‐of‐plane order parameter of 0.73 in a wide temperature range of 120–240 °C. The significant differences in the aggregation behavior, the liquid‐crystalline structure, and the alignment between the two polymers were discussed by the structural differences between the 2‐ and 4‐styrylpyridine moieties in the two polymers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5371–5380, 2008