Elastic,dielectric and optical constants of the nematic mixture E49

The Merck nematic mixture E49 exhibits a large nematic interval (0–100 °C) and a large dielectric anisotropy. Both of these features make E49 interesting for applications and basic physics. Unfortunately, no systematic measurements of the material constants of this mixture and their temperature dependence have been reported in the literature. In this paper we report experimental measurements of the splay and bend elastic constants (K ₁₁ and K ₃₃) of the ordinary and the extraordinary refractive indices (n _ort and n _par) at the wavelength λ?=?632.8 nm and of the two elastic constants parallel and orthogonal to the director (ε_par and ε_ort) at the frequency ν?=?5?kHz. The temperature dependence of all of these parameters is found in the temperature range 25–99 °C. The measurements of the elastic constants are performed using both a dielectric and an optical method simultaneously on the same nematic sample. The results obtained using the two methods are in a satisfactory agreement between them within the estimated experimental uncertainty. The ordinary and the extraordinary indices are measured using the prism method.     

Determination of elastic constants of a binary system (7CPB+9.CN) showing nematic,induced smectic Ad and re-entrant nematic phases

The temperature variation of the splay and bend elastic constants of a binary system exhibiting nematic-induced smectic A_d and re-entrant nematic phases measured by electric field-induced Freedericksz transition method has been reported. As bend deformation is not permitted in the smectic A phase, bend elastic constant (K₃₃) could only be determined in the nematic and re-entrant nematic phases. In both the nematic phases, the splay elastic constant has the same order of magnitude and does not show any pretransitional effect. However, in the induced smectic A_d phase, the value of K₁₁ is about one to two orders higher than that in the nematic phases. The bend elastic constant shows a strong pretransitional effect near the nematic–smectic and smectic–re-entrant nematic phase transitions. The influence of the presence of the induced smectic phase is observed even in those mixtures which have no induced smectic phases. As the smectic phase is approached, the ratio K₃₃/K₁₁ increases rapidly and diverges to infinity.     

Elastic constants,viscosity and dielectric properties of bent-core nematic liquid crystals doped with single-walled carbon nanotubes

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are dispersed in (4’-fluoro phenyl azo) phenyl-4-yl 3-[N-(4’-n-hecyloxy 2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino]-2-methylbenzoate (6–2M-F) a bent-core nematic (BCN) liquid crystalline medium composed of bent-shaped molecules with short core, reduced bend angle possessing polar fluoro substituent in longitudinal direction and methyl group in bent direction. Such molecules are at the borderline of typical bent-core and rod-like molecules resembling hockey stick shape with intermediate properties. The elastic anisotropy is negative for 6–2M-F (bend elastic constant K₃₃ < splay elastic constant K₁₁); similar to other BCNs reported earlier with smectic-like clusters; but turns to high positive (K₃₃ > K₁₁) value by insertion of SWCNT (concentration ≥0.05 wt.%) in 6–2 M-F. The ratio of K₃₃/K₁₁ becomes comparable to the calamitic liquid crystals (LCs) in doped system. Dielectric anisotropy increases in the nanocomposite implying enhanced nematic ordering due to π–π electron interaction between CNTs and the LC molecules. Threshold voltage at first increases and then decreases with increasing CNT concentration owing to the respective variations in splay viscosity of the system. The present study demonstrated the interaction of SWCNTs with BCN molecules and reveals significant modifications in viscoelastic, dielectric and ionic properties of the host.     

Liquid-crystalline reference compounds

Abstract

A polar (PCH-5) and a non-polar (152) compound are introduced as liquid-crystalline bench-mark compounds. The materials chosen are affordable, stable, easy to handle and possess nematic mesophases between 30–54·9 and 24–103·4°C. All relevant macroscopic physical properties, such as refractive indices n _o n _e, dielectric permittivities ∥_?, elastic constants K ₁₁, K ₂₂ and K ₃₃, and bulk and rotational viscosities are given as a function of temperature, wavelength and frequency, when applicable. The reference compounds are available from E. Merck, Darmstadt.     

Experimental Evidence for a Calix[4]arene-Proton Complex

From extraction experiments and γ-activity measurements, the extraction constant corresponding to the equilibrium H⁺(aq) + 1 ·Na⁺(nb) ⇆ 1 ·H⁺(nb) + Na⁺(aq) taking place in the two-phase water-nitrobenzene system (1 = p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-tetrakis(N, N-diethylacetamide); aq = aqueous phase, nb = nitrobenzene phase) was evaluated as log K _ex(H⁺, 1 ·Na⁺) = −1.4 ± 0.1. Further, the stability constant of the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-tetrakis(N,N-diethylacetamide)-H⁺ complex in water saturated nitrobenzene was calculated for a temperature of 25°C as log β_nb(1 · H⁺) = 8.1 ± 0.1.     

Experimental and computational investigations on the high binding-selectivity of pyrimidine derivatives by a pillar[5]arene

The binding selectivity of an adenine-monofunctionalized pillar[5]arene (H) with a series of pyrimidine derivatives were investigated through ¹H NMR experiments and density functional theory (DFT) study. High binding-selectivity was demonstrated. Typically, H displayed very strong binding strength with 6-(2,4-dioxo-3, 4-dihydropyrimidin-1 (2H)-yl)hexanenitrile (G1) [K_a >10⁵ M^?1], up to about 3000-fold as compared with 1-hexylpyrimidine-2,4(1H, 3H)-dione (G5) [K_a = 31 M^?1]. The strong binding ability of H with G1 was due to the cooperative multiple hydrogen bond, dipole-dipole, C-H···π and π···π interactions. The high binding-selectivity was also verified by calculation results. The calculated interaction energy (ΔE_i) of G1?H was ?12.92 Kcal·mol^?1 while that of G5?H was ?2.85 Kcal·mol^?1.     

Experimental Evidence for a Calix[4]arene-Proton Complex

Summary. From extraction experiments and γ-activity measurements, the extraction constant corresponding to the equilibrium H⁺(aq) + 1 ·Na⁺(nb) ⇆ 1 ·H⁺(nb) + Na⁺(aq) taking place in the two-phase water-nitrobenzene system (1 = p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-tetrakis(N, N-diethylacetamide); aq = aqueous phase, nb = nitrobenzene phase) was evaluated as log K _ex(H⁺, 1 ·Na⁺) = −1.4 ± 0.1. Further, the stability constant of the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-tetrakis(N,N-diethylacetamide)-H⁺ complex in water saturated nitrobenzene was calculated for a temperature of 25°C as log β_nb(1 · H⁺) = 8.1 ± 0.1.     

Studies on two cadmium(II) and two zinc(II) complexes of 4′-chloro-2,2′ : 6′,2″-terpyridine with 1 : 1 or 1 : 2 ratio of metal and ligand

The reaction between 4′-chloro-2,2′ : 6′,2″-terpyridine (tpyCl) with d¹⁰ transition-metal ions produced two cadmium(II) and two zinc(II) metal complexes, formulated as [Cd(tpyCl-κ ³ N,N′,N″)(NO₃-κ ² O,O′)(NO₃-κO)(H₂O-κO)] (1), [Cd(tpyCl-κ ³ N,N′,N″)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), [Zn(tpyCl-κ ³ N,N′,N″)₂](ClO₄)₂ (3), and [Zn(tpyCl-κ ³ N,N′,N″)₂](BF₄)₂ (4). Supramolecular interactions include coordinative bonding, O–H ··· O, O–H ··· Cl, C–H ··· F, and C–H ··· Cl hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking, all of which play essential roles in forming different frameworks of 1–4.     

Invited Lecture. Material properties,structural relations with molecular ensembles and electro-optical performance of new bicyclohexane liquid crystals in field-effect liquid crystal displays

Abstract

Several new classes of polar and non-polar bicyclohexane liquid crystals comprising alkenyl side chains are presented. The compounds exhibit low optical anisotropies, Δn, < 0.1 and rotational viscosities, γ₁, as low as 35 cP at 22°C. This leads, in combination with large elastic expressions k = k ₁ + (k ₃ - 2k ₂)/4 > 12 × 10^?12 N, to low viscoelastic ratios γ₁/k and to short response times in field-effect liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Strong odd-even effects occur in the bend/splay elastic ratio k ₃/k ₁ upon shifting the alkenyl double bond from even into odd side chain positions. As a result the ratio k ₃/k ₁ can be tuned over the wide range 0·9 ? k ₃/k ₁ ? 3·0. Correlations between the electro-optical properties of twisted nematic, supertwisted nematic, optical mode interference LCDs and material parameters demonstrate the high degree of multiplexability of the new compounds. Roche interactive molecular modelling is applied to determine the possible equilibrium configuration not only of single molecules, but for the first time to whole molecular ensembles comprising 12 molecules. First results show that the shape of the ensembles, E, depends on the position of the double bond in the side chains of the molecules. The length/width ratio of E decreases for even double bond positions.     

Supramolecular inclusion of a pillared double-layered host by an anion-directed second-sphere coordination

In this paper, we have illustrated the utilisation of a second-sphere coordination approach to construct supramolecular inclusion solids with varieties of guest molecules. A flexible molecule N,N,N′,N′-tetra-p-methylbenzyl-ethylenediamine (L1) bearing doubly protonated H-bond donors was designed, capable of forming N–H…Cl hydrogen bonds with a crystallographically unique chloride anion, to construct an anion-directed ligand. The pillared double-layered host framework was constructed by an anion-directed ligand and primary coordination sphere [CoCl₄]^2 ?  through weak C–H…Cl hydrogen-bonding interactions. A variety of guest molecules, such as p-anisaldehyde, 1,4-dimethoxy-2,5-bis(methoxymethyl)benzene, can be included, leading to the formation of novel supramolecular inclusion solids: [L1]·4[H]⁺·[CoCl₄]^2 ? ·2Cl^? ·1.5[C₈H₈O₂]·0.25[CH₃OH] (1) and [L1]·4[H]⁺·[CoCl₄]^2 ? ·2Cl^? ·1.5[C₁₂H₂₀O₄]·0.5[CH₃OH] (2).

We have presented herein the utilisation of a second-sphere coordination approach to construct supramolecular inclusion solids with a variety of guest molecules. A novel type of a pillared double-layered host framework was constructed by a second-sphere coordination between the anion-directed ligand (L1 = N,N,N′,N′-tetra-p-methylbenzyl-ethylenediamine) and [CoCl₄]^2 ?  through weak C–H…Cl hydrogen-bonding interaction, and a variety of guest molecules, such as p-anisaldehyde, 1,4-dimethoxy-2,5-bis(methoxymethyl)benzene, can be included, leading to the formation of supramolecular inclusion solids: [L1]·4[H]⁺·[CoCl₄]^2 ? ·2Cl^? ·1.5[C₈H₈O₂]·0.25[CH₃OH] (1) and [L1]·4[H]⁺·[CoCl₄]^2 ? ·2Cl^? ·1.5[C₁₂H₂₀O₄]·0.5[CH₃OH] (2)

     

Dielectric and elastic properties of a nematic phase induced by charge transfer interaction in a binary system containing disc-shaped molecules

The dielectric constants and the elastic coefficients for splay (K₁) and bend (K₃) of the charge transfer induced nematic (N_c) phase of tridecyl pentakis(phenylethynyl)phenyl ether (1) doped with different amounts of 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone (2) were determined by studying the electric field induced bend deformation using the capacitance method. A negative dielectric anisotropy was observed. For the bend elastic constant K₃ values up to 22 × 10^-12 N are found which are one order of magnitude higher than the respective values of discotic nematic (N_D) phases. Values of 0·6-0·8 are obtained for the ratio K₁/K₃; these show a minimum for the equimolar complex.     

Hormone-receptor interactions. Carboranylalanine (Car) as a phenylalanine analogue: reactions with chymotrypsin.

In order to test the effects of the replacement of phenylalanine by carboranylalanine (Car) in biological ligand-acceptor interactions, Z · Ala-Ala-Car · OH (1) and Ac · Car · OEt (2) were synthesized and their reactions with chymotrypsin studied. The two compounds proved to be good inhibitors with K(i) values of 3 · 10^?4M (1) and 8.6 · 10⁴M (2) ; the K(i) of Z · Ala-Ala-Phe · OH (1a) is 1 · 10^?3M . The inhibition constants were determined by a new photolytic technique, inhibition of photoaffinity labelling by Z · Ala-Ala-Phe(pN₃) · OH. Ac · Car · OEt is not hydrolysed by chymotrypsin. The findings indicate that the carboranyl group can interact with the ‘phenyl recognition site’ of the enzyme to produce the binding that is characteristic of aromatic amino acid residues. However, some kind of distortion in the region of the ‘mechanistic site’ must be postulated in order to account for the failure of hydrolysis. Some possible effects of the replacement of aromatic amino acids by Car in peptide hormones on hormone-receptor interactions are discussed.     

A continuum description for cholesteric and nematic twist-bend phases based on symmetry considerations

ABSTRACT

The recently discovered twist-bend nematic phase, N_tb, is a non-uniform equilibrium nematic phase that presents a spontaneous bend with a precession of the nematic director, n, on a conical helix with a tilt angle θ and helical pitch P. The stability of the N_tb phase has been recently demonstrated from the elastic point of view by extending the Frank elastic energy density of the nematic phase to include the symmetry element of the helical axis, t. In the present article, we investigate the influence of an external bulk field (magnetic or electric) on the N_tb phase. Using symmetry arguments we derive the expression for the flexoelectric polarisation in twist-bend nematic phases. We show that, besides the standard contribution related to the spatial variation of the nematic director, two new contributions connected with the existence of the helical axis appear. In the ground state, where the nematic deformation is a pure heliconical deformation, the new contribution vanishes identically, and the total flexoelectric polarisation is perpendicular to the nematic director. Furthermore, as an example, we study the role of an external magnetic field applied parallel to the helical axis for a material with positive magnetic susceptibility anisotropy. We show that the field modifies the range of values of the coupling parameter between the director and the helical axis, thus shifting the interval of values for which this coupling results in the N_tb phase.     

The complexation of cadmium acetate and propionate by phenanthroline. Structure and properties of [Cd(CH3COO)2(C12H8N2)(H2O)] · H2O and [Cd(CH3CH2COO)2(C12H8N2)]2 · 2CH3CH2COOH

The coordination compounds [Cd(CH₃COO-κO ¹,O ²)₂(phenanthroline-kN ¹ N ²)(H₂O)] · H₂O (1) and [Cd{μ-(CH₃CH₂COO-κO ¹,O ²)}₂(phenanthroline-κN ¹,N ²)]₂ · 2CH₃CH₂COOH (2) were synthesized and characterized by elemental and thermal analysis and IR spectroscopy. Crystal and molecular structures of both compounds were determined. The complexes are air stable and fairly soluble in water. In both compounds the cadmium is seven-coordinate and contains chelating phenanthroline and two chelating carboxylate groups in the inner coordination sphere. The seventh coordinating oxygen belongs to water in 1 and to bridging carboxylate in 2. All carboxylate groups are bonded unsymmetrically to the central atom. The coordination polyhedra can be described as distorted pentagonal bipyramid (compound 1) and distorted capped tetragonal bipyramid (compound 2). In the structure of 1 intermolecular O(water)–H ··· O (water/carboxylate) hydrogen bonds create a two-dimensional net along the crystallographic a0c plane. Each molecule of 2 is connected to two propionic acid molecules via hydrogen bonds. In both compounds exist π-stacking interactions.     

Zn(II) Complexes with Quinoline Supported Amidate Ligands: Synthesis,Fluorescence, and Catalytic Activity

Zn(II) complexes of N-(quinolin-8-yl)picolinamide (HL¹) (1) and N²,N⁶-di(quinolin-8-yl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (H₂L²) (2) have been synthesized by deprotonation of the ligands and characterized by IR, NMR, and Single crystal X-ray crystallography. The mononuclear [Zn(L¹)₂] (3) and homodinuclear [Zn₂(L²)₂] (4) complexes are characterized by distorted octahedral geometries stabilized by hydrogen bonding and weak π···π interaction. The complexes demonstrate intense fluorescence bands in comparison with their corresponding ligands with well-distinguished intensity. The complexes act as efficient catalysts in various transesterification reactions. Among those, the best results have been achieved with complex 3 in conversion of 4-nitrophenylacetate into methyl acetate within 3 h.

     

Metal derivatives of thiosemicarbazones: crystal and molecular structures of mono- and di-nuclear copper(I) complexes with N1-substituted thiosemicarbazones

The reactions of copper(II) chloride with a series of N¹-substituted thiosemicarbazones, {R¹(H)C²=N³–N²(H)–C¹(=S)–N¹HMe, R¹ = furan, Hftsc-N-Me; thiophene, Httsc-N-Me; phenyl, Hbtsc-N-Me} in 1 : 2 molar ratio yield copper(I) complexes : sulfur-bridged dinuclear complexes, [Cu₂Cl₂(μ-S-Hftsc-N-Me)₂(η¹-S-Hftsc-N-Me)₂] (1), [Cu₂Cl₂(μ-S-Httsc-N-Me)₂(η¹-S-Httsc-N-Me)₂] (2), and a mononuclear complex [CuCl(η¹-S–Hbtsc-N-Me)₂] (3). Complexes 1–3 have been characterized by elemental analysis (C, H, N), spectroscopy (IR, ¹H NMR) and X-ray crystallography. The Cu(μ-S)₂Cu cores in 1 and 2 form parallelograms with unequal bond distances {Cu–S, 2.2831(3), 2.5955(4) Å (1); 2.2641(9), 2.8006(10) Å (2)}. Bond angles at sulfur and copper are, Cu–S–Cu, S–Cu–S, 69.86(11), 110.12(17)° (1); 75.84(3), 104.16(3)° (2), respectively. The Cu ··· Cu separations are 2.806 Å (1) and 3.141 Å (2) with each copper center a distorted tetrahedron (96.67–119.28°). Bond parameters of 3, Cu–S, 2.227(3), 2.224(3) Å, and 118.97–121.11° are different.     

Synthesis and Surface Properties of Novel Cationic Gemini Surfactants

A series of novel cationic gemini surfactants, p-[C _n H_2n+1N⁺(CH₃)₂CH₂CH(OH)CH₂O]₂C₆H₄·2Cl^? [A(n = 12), B(n = 14) and C(n = 16)], containing a spacer group with two flexible and hydrophilic groups (2-hydroxy-1,3-propylene) on both sides of a rigid and hydrophobic group (1,4-dioxyphenylene) has been synthesized by the reaction of hydroquinone diglycidyl ether with N,N-dimethylalkylamine and N,N-dimethylalkylamine hydrochloride. Their surface-active properties have been investigated by surface tension measurement. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) values of the synthesized cationic gemini surfactants are one order of magnitude lower than those of their corresponding monomeric surfactants (C _n H_2n + 1N⁺(CH₃)₃·Cl^?). Both the cmc and surface tension at the cmc (γ_cmc) of A are lower than those of p-[C₁₂H₂₅N⁺(CH₃)₂CH₂]₂C₆H₄·2Cl^? (D). The novel cationic gemini surfactants A and B also show good foaming properties.     

Supramolecular architectures with ladder and lamellar topologies using metal-ligand coordination units via C–H···Cl and O–H···Cl hydrogen bonding

New Mn^II/Cu^II/Zn^II complexes [(L¹)MnCl₂] (1), [(L²)CuCl₂]·0.5H₂O (2) and [(L²)ZnCl(H₂O)][ClO₄] (3), containing (2-pyridyl)alkylamine ligands, N-methyl-N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (L¹) and methyl[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl](2-pyridylmethyl)amine (L²), have been prepared and characterized, including X-ray crystallography. The most striking feature of the structures of these complexes is the formation of molecular ladder and lamellar topology through the crystal packing arrangement, determined by both strong O–H···Cl and weak (however, multiple) C–H···Cl hydrogen-bonding interactions, to maintain the neutral/cationic metal-ligand coordination units linked to each other. In 3, additional secondary interactions are observed involving coordinated solvent and the counter-ion. The results presented here demonstrate that (i) the choice of organic ligands to provide flexibility and inherent potential to participate in hydrogen-bonding interactions, (ii) the coordination geometry preferences of metal ions, (iii) the number of metal-bound chloride ion and (iv) the presence of solvent/counter-anion have a great influence on supramolecular network topology.     

The syntheses and magnetic properties of a series of heterospin [LnIIICuII 4] pentanuclear complexes

Twelve oxamide-bridged Ln(III)–Cu(II) heteropentanuclear complexes Ln[Cu(PMoxd)]₄(ClO₄)₃ · 5H₂O (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, and PMoxd = the N,N′-Bi(α-pyridylmethyl)-oxamide dianion) and 12 oxamide-bridged Ln(III)–Cu(II) heteropentanuclear complexes with the formula of Ln[Cu(PEoxd)]₄(ClO₄)₃ · 5H₂O (PEoxd = the N,N′-Bi(α-pyridylethyl)-oxamide dianion) were synthesized and characterized. The magnetic properties of Gd[Cu(PMoxd)]₄(ClO₄)₃ · 5H₂O (7) and Gd[Cu(PEoxd)]₄(ClO₄)₃ · 2H₂O (19) show that there are ferromagnetic interactions between Gd(III) and Cu(II) in the complexes with J _Cu–Gd = 1.38 cm^?1 and J _Cu–Gd = 1.00 cm^?1, respectively. Fluorescent quenching phenomena for Eu[Cu(PMoxd)]₄(ClO₄)₃ · 5H₂O (6) and Tb[Cu(PMoxd)]₄(ClO₄)₃ · 5H₂O (8) were also observed.     

Side group functionalized liquid crystalline polymers and blends VIII. Nematic and SmAre phase formation in hydrogen-bonded blends of smectic side group LC polymers and a low molar mass dopant

Hydrogen-bonded blends based on smectic side group functionalized LC copolymers containing 4-alkyloxybenzoic acid fragments (proton donor) and a non-mesogenic low molecular mass dopant 4-cyanophenyl pyridine-4-carboxylate or 4-methoxyphenyl-d₄ pyridine-4-carboxylate (proton acceptor) were obtained. The blends containing 10-35 mol % of low molecular weight dopant form nematic (I-N-SmA) or re-entrant SmA phases (I-SmA-N-SmAre). The temperature dependence of the order parameter S, the birefringence Δn, and the splay K ₁ and bend K ₃ elastic constants of the nematic phase were studied by ²H NMR spectroscopy and the Fréedericksz method of threshold transitions in a magnetic field. A mechanism for the destruction of the SmA phase and the formation of the nematic phase in the hydrogen-bonded blends is suggested.