Liquid crystal character controlled by complementary discotic molecules mixtures: Columnar stacking type and mesophase temperature range

In this work, the mesophase properties were tuned via mixing two discotic molecules with structural complementarity. Compared with the liquid crystalline hexakis(n-hexyloxy)triphenylene(H6TP)materials(columnar hexagonal phase from 53 8C to 91 8C), mesophase types as well as phase transition temperatures varied with the introduction of crystalline hexaazatriphenylene derivative(PBH)molecules. The introduction of less than 33% amount of PBH disrupted the columnar hexagonal phase formed by H6 TP remarkably, followed by the decreased clearing temperatures of liquid crystals. As the PBH amount was further increased, the destroyed columnar hexagonal phase was turned into the columnar rectangular phase, in which H6 TP and PBH molecules together formed the columnar mesophase. The formation of new mesophase contributed to the enlarged mesophase temperature(from44 8C to 144 8C). We speculated that the alkyl chains interaction induced by the PBH component competed with the strong p–p stacking between H6 TP molecules, thus altering the liquid crystalline properties including mesophase types and phase transition temperatures.     

SYNTHESIS AND MESOGENIC PROPERTY OF Pd-COORDINATING AZO-TYPE SIDE CHAIN LIQUID CRYSTALLINE POLYSILOXANE

A novel palladium-coordinating Azo-type liquid crystalline polysiloxane (Pd-AZLCP) has been synthesized by chelation reaction of polymeric ligand, Azo-type liquid crystalline polysiloxane(AZLCP), with palladium dichloride and potassium chloride in the presence of tetrahydrofuran (THF) as reaction medium instead of dioxane/water system, which has been used since Cope first reported the synthesis of palladium-azobenzene in 1965 . The mesogenic behaviors examined by DSC, temperature-variable X-ray diffraction and polarizing microscopy indicate that the incorporation of Pd ions into the liquid crystal polymer can play a positive effect on the mesogenic property of the parent polymeric ligand. It is exhibited that the isotropization temperature T_i is increased and the mesophase range ΔT has been widened, too.     

SYNTHESIS AND MESOMORPHIC PROPERTIES OF FISHBONE-LIKE LIQUID CRYSTALLINE POLYSILSESQUIOXANES——Ⅰ. FISHBONE-LIKE, β-DIKETONE-BASED LIQUID CRYSTALLINE POLYSILSESQUIOXANES AND THEIR COPPER COMPLEXES*

Two kinds of fishbone-like, β-diketone-based liquid crystalline polysilsesquioxanes(FBDKLCP'S), homopolymeric (H-FBDKLCP) and copolymeric (C-FBDKaLCP) have been first synthesized via the hydrosilylation reaction of a vinyl-terminated β-diketone with the homopolymeric ladderlike polyhydrosilsesquioxane (LPHSQ) and random copolymethylhydrosilsesquioxane (LRPMHSQ) respectively. These new kinds of FBDKLCP with M of 10~4 is thermotroic liquid crystalline polymer and its clearing temperatures T_i's and mesophase range △T's are much higher than those of the corresponding comb-like β-diketone liquid crystalline polysiloxane (DKLCP) by about 200℃. Similar results have been observed with the comparison of the two different structure Cu-coordinating compounds The significant increases in T_((?))'s and △T's of the FBDKLCP and Cu-FBDKLCP are mainly attributed to the great rigidity of the ladderlike polysilsesquioxane backbone.     

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYESTERS WITH T-SHAPED TWO-DIMENSIONAL MESOGENIC UNITS(Ⅲ)*

A new series of liquid crystal polyesters with T-shaped two-dimensional mesogenic units weresynthesized by melt polycondensation of the diacetates of 2-(4'-alkoxy -phenyl)-hydroquinones with 4,4'-alkylenedioxydibenzoic acid. The polymers were characterized by using polarized microscopy, DSC and X-ray diffraction. It was realized that all the polymers have nematic thermotropic liquid crystallinecharacteristics. The melting temperature (T_m) and isotropization temperature (T_i) of the polymers changeregularly with varying lengths of the alkoxy side group and the length of the alkylene group in the main chainin company with an even-odd effect. The mesophase temperature range also varies regularly with the polymerstructure. It is shown that the mesophase range has been widened.     

Hypervalent iodine-mediated gem-difluorination of vinyl halides enabled by exclusive 1,2-halo migration

β-Difluorinated alkyl halides are of significant value in the modular synthesis of gem-difluorinated molecules. An exclusive 1,2-halo migratory gem-difluorination of vinyl halides with in situ-generated PhIF_2·HF is described. This protocol provides a general and practical approach towards a wide variety of β-difluorinated alkyl bromides. Both α-and β-bromoalkyl alkenes are suitable substrates, leading to two distinct types of products. The extension of this protocol to vinyl chloride and iodide are also feasible.The synthetic versatility of this method has been highlighted by the late-stage modification of complex small molecules and further transformations of the β-difluorinated alkyl halides to valuable CF_2-containing compounds.     

STUDY ON LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMERS WITH TWO-DIMENSIONAL MESOGENIC UNITS

A series of liquid crystalline polymers with two-dimensional mesogenic units were synthesized by solution polycondensation at low temperature. All the polymers were liquid crystalline. The melting temperature T_m (except that with substituent of methoxy) and the clearing temperature T_i of the polymers change regularly with varying of the length of the alkyl substituent groups.     

Synthesis,liquid crystalline and luminescent properties of trimeric phenylenevinylene with end-groups of(R)-(+)-2-methylbutyric acid ester

The trimeric phenylenevinylene with the symmetrical chiral end-groups(ChTPV) was synthesized.The liquid crystalline and luminescent properties of the ChTPV have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),polarized optical microscopy (POM),absorption and photoluminescence spectra.The results indicated that the ChTPV exhibits mesophase over a wide temperature range and a typical optical texture of smectic phase.In contrast with the spectra of the solution,that of the film showed blue-shift in m...     

SYNTHESES OF HINDERED ALKYL PHOSPHONATES AND PHOSPHONIC & PHOSPHINIC ACIDS

A series of di-n-hexyl alkyl phosphonates with bulky substituent on phosphorus was synthesized by PTC P-alkylation using crown ether.Upon saponification of the resulting di-n-hexyl alkylphosphonates in the presence of crown ether or quaternary ammonium halide, corresponding mono-hexyl esters of alkyl phosphonic acids were prepared.Ultrasonic wave, as we found, can catalyze the reaction between dialkyl phosphite & metallic sodium and hydrolysis of dihexyl alkyl phosphonates.A series of di-t-alkyl phosphinic acids were synthesized by the reaction of Grignard reagent with PCl_3 followed by oxidation with 30% H_2O_2.It was found that the reaction between dibutyl phosphite and Grignard reagent of t-alkyl chloride is a new synthetic method for the preparation of mono-esters of highly hindered alkyl phosphonic acids.     

Synthesis of silica particles with lamellar and wormhole-like bi-modal mesopores using anionic surfactant as the template

Silica particles with lamellar and wormhole-like bi-modal mesopores have been synthesized using anionic surfactant (N-lauroylsarcosine sodium) as the template. The particles with diameters of 300―500 nm possess bi-modal mesopores with pore sizes of 3 nm and 12 nm, which were ascribed to the disordered wormhole-like mesophase and lamellar mesophase, respectively. The BET surface area of the particles was 536 m2/g and the pore volume was 0.83 cm3/g. The lamellar mesophase and cylindrical mesophase were formed...     

Synthesis and Characterization of Polyesters Based on Diethylketone Moiety

A new class of unsaturated polyesters based on diethylketone have been prepared by interfacial polymerization of 2,4-bis（4-hydroxybenzylidene）-3-pentanone（I） and 2,4-bis（4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene）-3-pentanone（II） with 4,4’-azodibenzoyl chloride and 3,3’-azodibenzoyl chloride at ambient temperature. The model compounds were synthesized by reaction of（I） and（II） with benzoyl chloride. The new monomers, model compounds and polyesters have been characterized by different spectral analyses. The polyesters have inherent viscosity of 0.55-0.80 d L/g and moderate number average molecular weight（Mn） in the range of 6150-7400 g/mol. Most of the compounds exhibited their solubility in aprotic solvents while partial solubility in various halogenated organic solvents was observed. The temperatures of 10% weight loss were high（225-330 °C） in nitrogen, indicating that these polyesters have excellent thermal stability. Doping with iodine dramatically raised the conductivity and produced brown colored semiconductive polymers with a maximum conductivity of 2.7 × 10-6 --1cm-1. Moreover, the morphological properties of selected example of polyesters were detected by SEM.     

The liquid-crystalline behaviour of amphiphilic ethane-1,2-diol derivatives incorporating a six membered ring in their principal structure

Novel 3-phenyloxy substituted propane-1,2-diol derivatives, 4-(4-n-hexyloxyphenyl)-butane-1,2-diol and 4-(trans-4-n-pyropylcyclohexyl)-butane-1,2-diol have been synthesized and their thermal behaviour has been studied. These compounds exhibit thermotropic and, after addition of water, also lyotropic liquid-crystalline behaviour. The clearing temperatures of the smectic mesophases were found to be strongly dependent on the alkyl chain length and on the structural units that link the aromatic ring to the alkyl chain and to the diol unit. The behaviour of the aromatic compounds is compared with that of the cyclohexane derivative. Thereby it has been realized that the mesophase stability of the amphiphilic diols incorporating a rigid unit is largely determined by both, the molecular geometry (molecular shape and intramolecular flexibility) and the amphiphilic structural pattern.     

Mesomorphic properties of copolyesters of 3,6-linked triphenylene-based units and polymethylene spacers

Main chain discotic liquid crystalline polymers consisting of triphenylene-based units and alkyl spacers (C8, C10 and C12), connected by ester linkages in the 3- and 6-positions of triphenylene, have been synthesized and their mesomorphic properties were studied by DSC, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. It was found that these polymers exhibit a hexagonal columnar (Col h ) mesophase with intracolumnar order over a wide temperature range. The clearing temperature decreases on increasing the spacer length. It was found that the clearing temperatures are rather higher than that of the corresponding triphenylene monomer having six hexyloxy chains. These polymers form an ordered columnar mesophase, while the corresponding monomeric mesogen shows a disordered columnar phase. In the polymeric system, the fluctuations of the disc-like units in the mesophase are restricted by the connection of the mesogenic units, which stabilizes the columnar mesophase.     

Mesomorphic properties of copolyesters of 3,6-linked triphenylene-based units and polymethylene spacers

Main chain discotic liquid crystalline polymers consisting of triphenylene-based units and alkyl spacers (C8, C10 and C12), connected by ester linkages in the 3- and 6-positions of triphenylene, have been synthesized and their mesomorphic properties were studied by DSC, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. It was found that these polymers exhibit a hexagonal columnar (Col_h) mesophase with intracolumnar order over a wide temperature range. The clearing temperature decreases on increasing the spacer length. It was found that the clearing temperatures are rather higher than that of the corresponding triphenylene monomer having six hexyloxy chains. These polymers form an ordered columnar mesophase, while the corresponding monomeric mesogen shows a disordered columnar phase. In the polymeric system, the fluctuations of the disc-like units in the mesophase are restricted by the connection of the mesogenic units, which stabilizes the columnar mesophase.     

Synthesis and properties of allyloxy-based tolane liquid crystals with high negative dielectric anisotropy

A series of tolane liquid crystals (LCs) containing 2,3-difluorophenyl and allyloxy terminal groups have been synthesised via multi-step reactions. Their thermotropic mesophases, birefringences and dielectric anisotropy properties are discussed by comparison with the non-fluorinated analog. The results show that the allyloxy-based tolane LC 3TOV reveals a high value of the birefringence (0.29), negative dielectric anisotropy (?4.44) and a broad nematic mesophase with a low melting point and high clearing point. The effects of the terminal alkyl chains, the lateral fluoro substituents, the allyloxy terminal group and alkyne bridge on the mesomorphic and physical properties were also discussed. Meanwhile, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations of molecular conformation and polarisability were used to correlate the experimental findings.     

Pyridinium salt liquid crystals Effect of mesogen extension and alkyl chain length

The thermotropism of 1-n-alkyl-(4-methyl and 4-tolyl)pyridinium bromides were compared for alkyl chain lengths ranging from n = 12 to 22 carbons. A smectic A mesophase is present in both series for the longer chain compounds, n ≥ 16, with the clearing temperature being similar for both series but increasing rapidly with chain length. The series with the elongated mesogen also possesses an ordered mesophase identified as smectic G. The transition between this mesophase and the S_A or isotropic phase in the 4-tolyl series, and the transition to and from the crystalline phase in both series, are affected relatively little by the alkyl chain length. It seems that the S_A mesophase is governed primarily by the amphiphilic character of the substances, whereas elongation of the ionic head group is responsible for the appearance of a more ordered mesophase at intermediate temperatures.     

Synthesis and liquid crystalline properties of a disc-shaped molecule with azobenzene at the periphery

A triphenylene-based novel liquid crystal was synthesised whose peripheral cores are six rod-like azobenzene moieties linked through alkyl chains. A disc-shaped molecule 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis-[{4-(4-nitrophenylazo)phenoxy}hexyloxy]triphenylene was prepared by using a ferric chloride oxidative trimerisation of 1,2-bis-[{4-(4-nitrophenylazo)phenoxy}hexyloxy]benzene. Differential scanning calorimetry and polarising optical microscopy analysis revealed the existence of a nematic mesophase.     

Influence of peripheral alkyl chain length on the mesomorphic behaviours of hexasubstituted triphenylene 2,3-dicarboxylic esters

A comparative study of our established synthetic approaches to hexasubsituted triphenylenes 2,3-dicarboxylic esters containing four identical β-alkoxy and two adjacent β-alkoxycarbonyl side chains shows that the phase behaviours of small-sized discotic liquid crystals can be tailored over a wide range by simply varying the length of the peripheral alkyl chains. All the prepared esters in two series were observed to form a single hexagonal columnar phase, except for Tp4-1 having four β-butyloxy and two adjacent β-methoxycarbonyl chains which displays two columnar mesophase behaviours with a transition from the columnar plastic phase to hexagonal columnar phase. A significant difference between the two mesophase was observed in the variable temperature X-ray diffraction studies, and the mesophase assignment was also confirmed by polarising optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Moreover, the prepared esters in each series display the general trend of decreasing clearing temperature upon increasing alkoxy or alkoxycarbonyl chains length. The intermediate triphenylene 2,3-dicarboxylic acids were also found not only to exhibit columnar hexagonal mesophase over a narrower temperature range by maintaining high melting and clearing points but also to form organogel on mixing with toluene or dichloromethane with the assistance of hydrogen bonding.     

Synthesis and Mesophase Behavior of Phenylthiophene Based Amphiphilic Molecules

Novel amphiphilic molecules consisting of a rigid 2‐phenylthiophene core, with a polar flexible tri(oxylethylene) moiety attached to the phenyl ring and one or two alkyl chains attached to the thiophene ring at the other side have been synthesized by using Ni(II) and Pd(0) catalyzed coupling reaction as key steps. The tri(oxylethylene) moieties were terminated with hydroxyl group, sodium carboxylate group and lithium carboxylate group respectively. The thermotropic and solvent induced liquid crystalline behavior of these substances was investigated by polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction. Thereby the influence of the terminal groups attached to the tri(oxylethylene) moities as well as the influence of the length and the number of the alkyl chains on the mesophase behavior were investigated. The single alkyl chain Na‐carboxylate termianted derivatives show smectic A phases, double alkyl chain Na‐carboxylate terminated derivatives show a thermo tropic hexagonal columnar mesophase, while columnar mesophases are found in both single and double alkyl chain Li‐carbonate terminated derivatives. The model for molecular organization in the hexagonal columnar mesophase is established.     

Novel polyesters with amino‐sulfone azobenzene chromophores in the main chain

The synthesis and optical properties of a series of amorphous polyesters with amino‐sulfone azobenzene chromophores in the main chain are presented. The condensation of alkyl diacid chlorides with 4‐[(2‐hydroxyethyl)ethylamino]‐4′‐(2‐hydroxyethylsulfonyl)azobenzene (7) gave polymers that showed low and unstable photoinduced birefringence because of their low glass‐transition temperature. The condensation of 7 with mixtures of adipoyl chloride and terephthaloyl chloride gave a polymer with a higher glass‐transition temperature and a stable reversible photoinduced birefringence. A photostationary birefringence of 0.07 was observed. Surface profile gratings were optically inscribed and produced diffraction efficiencies less than or equal to 19%. Photostationary, long‐term stable birefringence and surface‐grating efficiency increased with polymer rigidity. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2245–2253, 2000     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Regiodivergent Rearrangements: 1,2‐ and 1,2′‐Alkyl Migration in Skipped Alkynyl Ketones

A series of 2‐alkynyl carbonyl compounds that contain a cyclopentene ring or a heterocycle can be transformed into various fused dihydrobenzofurans and tetrahydrofuro[2,3‐c]pyridines by means of a 1,2‐alkyl migration process. Both of these reactions proceed with excellent regioselectivity and stereospecificity when using a cationic gold(I) catalyst. Treatment of 4‐styrylcyclopent‐1‐enecarboxylates under different conditions affords a range of highly functionalized dihydrobenzofurans and dihydroisobenzofurans. A divergence in product selectivity, which depends on the anion of the silver salts used, was observed. Interestingly, ring‐fused tetrahydroquinolines undergo only 1,2′‐alkyl migration reaction by means of a C? C cleavage/cyclization sequence to provide tetrahydroazepine derivatives. Mechanistic studies suggest that the gold complexes catalyze 1,2‐alkyl migration reactions through a concerted reaction pathway and 1,2′‐alkyl migration reactions through a stepwise reaction pathway.