A phase polymorphism N?SAd?I in liquid-crystalline polymethacrylates with 4′-trifluoromethoxyazobenzene mesogenic side groups

The mesophase behaviour of liquid-crystalline polymethacrylates with 4′-trifluoromethoxyazobenzene mesogens and alkylene spacers $ \left( {\rlap{--} ({\rm CH}_{\rm 2} \rlap{--} )_n ,n = 2 - 6} \right) $ in the side chains was investigated and compared with that of the corresponding non-fluorinated polymers. The fluorinated polymers with spacer lengths n = 5 and 6 are the first side-group liquid-crystalline polymethacrylates showing a nematic phase below a smectic A phase.     

Synthesis and characterization of mesogen‐jacketed liquid‐crystal polymers based on 2,5‐bis(4′‐alkoxyphenyl)styrene

A series of novel mesogen‐jacketed liquid‐crystal polymers, poly[2,5‐bis(4′‐alkoxyphenyl)‐styrene] (P‐n, n = 1–11), were prepared via free‐radical polymerization of newly synthesized monomers, 2,5‐bis(4′‐alkoxyphenyl)styrene (M‐n, n = 1–11). The influence of the alkoxy tail length on the liquid‐crystalline behaviors of the monomers and the polymers was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry, polarized optical microscopy (POM), and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). The monomers with n = 1–4, 9, and 11 were monotropic nematic liquid crystals. All other monomers exhibited enantiotropic nematic properties. Their melting points (T_m's) decreased first as n increased to 6, after which T_m increased slightly at longer spacer lengths. The isotropic–nematic transition temperatures decreased regularly with increasing n values in an odd–even way. The glass‐transition temperatures (T_g's) of the polymers first decreased as the tail lengths increased and then leveled off when n ≥ 7. All polymers were thermally stable and entered the mesophase at a temperature above T_g. Upon further heating, no mesophase‐to‐isotropic melt transition was observed before the polymers decomposed. WAXD studies indicated that an irreversible order–order transition for the polymers with short tails (n ≤ 5) and a reversible order–order transition for those with elongated tails (n ≥ 6) occurred at a temperature much higher than T_g. However, such a transition could not be identified by POM and could be detected by DSC only on heating scans for the polymers with long tails (n ≥ 7). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1454–1464, 2003     

Solid-State polymerization of the binary mixture of methacrylate and liquid-crystalline compound by electron beam

Solid-state polymerization of a binary mixture of nonliquid-crystalline monomer and liquidcrystalline compound was carried out using electron beam. The monomers were benzoic acid containing 4-[ω-(meth)acryloyloxyalkyloxy] benzoic acids, in which the alkylene spacer was ethylene, hexamethylene, or undecamethylene. The conversion yield of monomer to polymer to a large extent increased with increasing content of a liquid-crystalline compound with a terminal carboxylic group, such as 4-n-alkyloxybenzoic acid, while the addition of a liquid-crystalline compound without terminal carboxylic group did not affect polymerization of the monomer. Phase diagrams of the mixture of monomer and liquid-crystalline compound were examined using cross-polarizing microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). All mixtures of monomer and 4-n-alkyloxybenzoic acid or liquid-crystalline compound without terminal carboxylic group showed liquid-crystallinity in a broad composition range. It was concluded that liquid-crystalline compounds with terminal carboxylic acid may form hydrogen bondings with methacrylate or acrylate monomer having terminal carboxylic acid which enhance polymerizability of the mixture. The stereoregularity of polymers determined by NMR depended on increasing irradiation dose and temperature rather than the content of the added liquid-crystalline 4-n-decanoxybenzoic acid.     

Synthesis and phase behaviors of side‐chain liquid‐crystalline polymers containing azobenzene mesogen with the different length alkyl tail

A series of side‐chain liquid‐crystal polymers, poly[6‐[4‐(4′‐n‐alkyl benzoateazo)phenoxy]‐hexylmethacrylate]s (PMAzoCOOR_m, m = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 14, and 18) have been prepared by two synthetic methods. The chemical structure of the monomers was confirmed by ¹H NMR and mass spectrometry. The molecular characterizations of the polymers were performed with ¹H NMR and gel permeation chromatograph. The phase behaviors of polymers were investigated by the combination of techniques including differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and small‐angle X‐ray scattering. For m = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, the polymers exhibited a monosmectic A phase in which the smectic layer period was almost identical to the side‐chain length. In addition, for m = 2, 3, 4, and 5, they presented the monosmectic C phase in low temperature; moreover, the tilt angle increased from 23.3 to 40.5°. For m = 8, 10, 14, and 18, the polymers showed a bilayer smectic A phase in which the layer spacing was larger than a fully extended side chain but less than two extended chains. On the other hand, for the clearing point, with the increasing of m, it first decreased, and then increased. All of these indicated that the length of alkyl tails played an important role in the phase behaviors of these polymers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2759–2768     

Synthesis and characterization of new AB-type poly(etherimide)s containing bisphenol moieties

A series of new AB-type poly(etherimide)s having bisphenol-type moiety was prepared by the one-pot polyimidization using triphenylphosphite(TPP) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone(NMP)/pyridine solution at 150°C. Complete cyclodehydration was observed in the polymerizations as well as in model reactions. Polymers were obtained with inherent viscosities in the 0.27–0.49 dL/g range. The M_n and M_w/M_n of poly[4-(1,4-phenyleneoxy-1,4-phenylenehexafluoro-isopropylidene-1,4-phenylene)oxyphthalimide] (4d) with η_inh = 0.49 dL/g were 73,400 g/mol and 1.5, respectively. Most polymers could readily be dissolved in common organic solvents such as DMAc, NMP, and m-cresol. The polymer 4d was soluble even in chloroform. These polymers had glass transition temperatures between 205 and 235°C, and 5% weight loss temperatures in the range of 511–532°C in nitrogen. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3530–3536, 1999     

Structural study of the smectic phases of several 4-cyanoalkoxybenzylidene-4'-alkylanilines

Abstract

A series of 4-cyanoalkoxybenzylidene-4'-alkylanilines (CN-nO. m; n = 3, 4, 6 and m = 4, 5, 8) have been synthesized. Their thermotropic liquid-crystalline polymorphism has been investigated using optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and dilatometry. Nematic, smectic A and smectic B mesophases have been identified. The structure of the smectic phases has been studied with X-ray diffraction. Depending upon the compound and the temperature, the smectic layers have been found to be either single (A₁) or double (A₂) layers of molecules. Unexpected from a simple comparison with the well-known behaviour of the very similar nO. m smectogens, which belong to the class of the so-called symmetric and therefore exhibit single-layered smectics only, this structural behaviour has been interpreted to mean the importance of the dipole interactions of the terminal cyano groups. For CN-60.8, a transition has been detected at 64°C between the single and double layered structure.     

Correlated n1,3S states for coulomb three‐body systems

n^1,3S (n = 1 ? 4) states for atomic three‐body systems are studied with the Angular Correlated Configuration Interaction method. A recently proposed angularly correlated basis set is used to construct, simultaneously and with a single diagonalization, ground and excited states wave functions which: (i) satisfy exactly Kato cusp conditions at the two‐body coalescence points; (ii) involve only linear parameters; (iii) show a fast convergency rate for the energy; and (iv) form an orthogonal set. The efficiency of the method is illustrated by the study a variety of three‐body atomic systems [m m m] with two negatively charged light particles, with diverse masses m and m, and a heavy positively charged nucleus m. The calculated ground 1¹S and excited n^1,3S (n = 2 ? 4) state energies are compared with those given in the literature, when available. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Intrinsic birefringence of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)

Highly oriented poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) fiber has a low birefringence that is unexpected for an aromatic polyester with a high refractive index. To explain this observation, the intrinsic birefringence Δn of PTT crystal was calculated from its bond polarizabilities to be 0.029. This Δn is almost an order of magnitude smaller than poly(ethylene terephthalate)'s value at 0.22, although both polymers have nearly identical crystal refractive indices. The small Δn is due to the arrangement of PTT's methylene groups in gauche conformations, causing the chain‐repeating unit to be tilted ～53° away from the c axis toward the basal plane. Because of the small Δn, the crystalline‐phase orientation made only a small contribution to the overall birefringence despite the fiber's high crystallinity and orientation. To understand the effect of the number of methylene groups on polyester optical anisotropy, the Δn's of a series of poly(m‐alkylene terephthalates) with m = 2–5 were compared and correlated with ψ: an angle made by the normal of the benzene ring with the crystal's axis. As ψ′ decreases, Δn of the polyesters diminishes. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1513–1520, 2002     

Phosphane Copper(I) Dicarboxylates: Synthesis and Their Potential Use as Precursors for the Spin‐coating Process in the Deposition of Copper

Dicopper dicarboxylates [(R₃P)_mCuXCu(PR₃)_m] ( 5a , X = O₂CCO₂, R = Ph, m = 2; 5b , X = O₂CCO₂, R = nBu, m = 3) were prepared by treatment of [Cu₂O] ( 1a ) with HO₂CCO₂H ( 2a ) in presence of PR₃ ( 4a , R = Ph; 4b , R = nBu). A further synthesis approach to mono‐ and dicopper dicarboxylates is given using an electrolysis cell equipped with Cu electrodes and charged with acids H₂X and phosphanes R₃P. Without addition of a base mononuclear [(nBu₃P)_mCuXH] ( 6a , m = 3, XH = O₂CCO₂H, 6b , m = 3, XH = O₂CCH₂CO₂H, 6c , m = 3, XH = O₂CCH₂CH₂CO₂H, 6d , m = 2, XH = O₂C‐2‐C₅H₄N‐6‐CO₂H) was formed, whereas in presence of NEt₃ ( 3 ), the dicopper systems [(R₃P)_mCuXCu(PR₃)_m] ( 5a , X = O₂CCO₂, R = Ph, m = 2; 5b , X = O₂CCO₂, R = nBu, m = 3; 5c , X = O₂CCH₂CO₂, R = nBu, m = 3; 5d , X = O₂CCH₂CH₂CO₂, R = nBu, m = 3; 5e , X = O₂C‐2‐C₅H₄N‐6‐CO₂, R = nBu, m = 3) were produced. When 6a reacted with [(tmeda)Zn(nBu)₂] ( 7 ), trimetallic [(tmeda)Zn((nBu₃P)₃CuO₂CCO₂)₂] ( 8 ) was accessible. In this heterobimetallic complex the Zn(tmeda) unit spans two CuO₂CCO₂ entities. The molecular structures of 5a , 6a and 6d in the solid state were determined by single X‐ray structure analysis. Complexes 5a and 6a are monomers, whereas 6d creates in the solid state a linear open chain coordination polymer by hydrogen bridge formation. Characteristic for 6d is the somewhat distorted trigonal bipyrimidal arrangement around the copper atom with the nBu₃P ligands in axial and the C₅H₃NCO₂H oxygen and nitrogen atoms in equatorial positions. In 5a the oxalate connectivity binds in a μ‐1,2,3,4 fashion being part of a planar Cu₂(oxalate) core. TG studies of several mono‐ and dicopper dicarboxylates were carried out. Release of the PR₃ ligands is recognized and the remaining Cu‐(di)carboxylate unit decomposes to afford elemental copper and CO₂. The deposition of copper onto pieces of PVD‐Cu oxidized silicon wafers by applying the spin‐coating process and using 5c and 5d as precursors is discussed.     

Segmented liquid crystalline polyesters with allyl group as lateral substituent

The synthesis and a partial characterization of segmented liquid crystalline polymers with 3,3′-diallyl-4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl unit in the rigid moiety is reported. The general formula of polymers is [-p-C₆H₄-COO-p-C₆H₃(R)-p-C₆H₃(R)-OOC-p-C₆H₄-O-(CH₂)_nO-]_x, with n = 6, 8, 10, 12, and R =  CH₂ CHCH₂. All polymers have nematic liquid-crystalline behavior. At room temperature, annealed fiber samples of polymers show a complex polymorphism. Three phases have been isolated with very large unit cells accommodating 6 or 12 chains. The projection of the molecular packing in a plane perpendicular to the c axis is characterized by the organization of chains in a two-dimensional hexagonal or quasi-hexagonal array. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. B Polym. Phys. 36: 2371–2378, 1998     

Multifunctional coupling agents for living cationic polymerization. I. Sodiomalonate anions for vinyl ethers

A series of multifunctional malonate anions, [Na^⊕?C(COOEt)₂CH₂]_mC₆H_6?m(I; m = 2–4), were examined as polymer coupling agents for the living cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers initiated with the hydrogen iodide/zinc iodide (HI/ZnI₂) initiating system. The bifunctional anion ( 2 ;I, m = 2), 1,4-[Na^⊕?C(COOEt)₂CH₂]₂C₆H₄, terminated living polymers of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) (DP _n = 10) almost quantitatively in toluene at ?15°C to give coupled living polymers with doubled molecular weights in 96% yield; the dianion 2 was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran containing 18-crown-6 for maintaining the solution homogeneous. The yield of the coupled polymers was increased with shorter living chains or in less polar solvents. Also by coupling via 2 , ABA block copolymers were obtained from living AB block polymers of IBVE and an ester-functionalized vinyl ether (CH₂?CHOCH₂CH₂OCOCH₃). Coupling of living poly(IBVE) with the trifunctional anion ( 3 ; I, m = 3) led to tri-armed polymers in 56% yield, whereas with the tetrafunctional version ( 4 ; I, m = 4), only three out of the four anions reacted to give another tri-armed polymer in 85% yield. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and characterization of new calixarene-chitosan polymers

Triflate Ester of Calix[n]arene (n = 4, 6, 8) (TEC[n] (n = 4, 6, 8)) were synthesized based on a new synthetic route, then TEC[n] (n = 4, 6, 8) were further modified by reacting with low molecular weight Chitosan (CS) to get three kinds of new Calix[n]arene-Chitosan polymers (n = 4, 6, 8) (C[n]CSP (n = 4, 6, 8)) through Buchwald-Hartwig cross coupling reaction. The structures of the polymers were characterized by FT-IR, SEM, Elemental analyzer and ¹³C SSNMR. And the results found that Chitosan was successfully introduced to Calix[n]arene (n = 4, 6, 8) (C[n] (n = 4, 6, 8)) without any long-chain alkyl between Chitosan and Calixarene. These new polymers are partially substituted calixarene. The substitute degree of C[4]CSP, C[6]CSP and C[8]CSP is 17.75%, 21.08% and 54.53% respectively. And the optimal preparation conditions were discussed and the results were listed as following, molar ratio (1:2), catalyst (0.05 mmol), solvent ratio (1:1.5 (10 mL?1.0 mmol^?1)) and reaction time (5h).     

Studies on the thermotropic liquid-crystalline polymer. IX. Synthesis and properties of crosslinkable copoly(amide-ester)s containing conjugated double bonds

Four series of copoly(amide-ester)s containing conjugated double bonds were prepared by using direct polycondensation in the presence of diphenylchlorophosphate (DPCP) and pyridine. Series I–III were prepared from para, meta-aminophenol, or their mixture with p-phenylene bis(acrylic acid) (PPBA), p-carboxylic cinnamic acid (PCCA), and stilbenedicarboxylic acid (SDBA), respectively. Series IV was prepared from a mixture of aminophenols [2-methyl 4-aminophenol (MePAP) and m-aminophenol (MAP)] with a mixture of diacids (PPBA and SDBA). Thermotropic liquid-crystalline behavior of these polymers was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and optical polarizing microscopy equipped with a heating stage. Series I , series II , and P40–P100 of series IV could undergo crosslinking reaction by heating. However, series III could undergo crosslinking reaction only by photoirradiation upon heating. After crosslinking reaction occurred, the properties of these polymers were also examined by DSC, TGA, WAXD, and IR. The synthesized polymers could be crosslinked in the liquid-crystalline phase with retention of the order in the final crosslinked solid. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of polyamides based on (±)-norbornane-2 endo, 3exo-dicarboxylic acid

A series of polyamides was synthesized by interfacial polycondensation of (±)-norbornane-2-endo,3exo-dicarbonyl dichloride with various aliphatic diamines, H₂N(CH₂)_mNH₂ with m = 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10. The use of chlorobenzene as organic solvent is favourable for the preparation of high molecular weight polymers. Inherent viscosities of 0.51 – 1.63 dL/g were obtained. Differential scanning calorimetry of polymers with m = 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 revealed glass transition temperatures between 119 and 189°C, whereas no T_g could be determined for m = 2. The 5% weight loss temperatures ranged from 295 to 371°C in nitrogen atmosphere. The polymers are amorphous as shown by X-ray and DSC experiments.     

Mesomorphic and luminescent properties of side chain nematic liquid-crystalline polymers containing Ir(III)

Iridium-containing liquid-crystalline polymers were obtained by graft copolymerisation using poly(methylhydrogeno)siloxane, 1-methyl-4-(4-(4-vinylcyclohexyl)cyclohexyl)benzene (M₁) and an iridium complexes monomer (Ir-M₂). The series of polymers contained different molecular fractions of Ir-M₂ from 0% to 1.2%. All of these polymers showed mesomorphic behaviours. The introduction of small amount of iridium ions endowed liquid-crystalline polymers with luminescent properties. The chemical structures were characterised by IR and ¹H NMR. The mesomorphic properties and phase behaviour were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, polarising optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. With an increase of iridium complexes units in the polymers, the glass transition temperature (T_g) did not change significantly; the isotropic temperature (T_i) decreased. All polymers showed typical nematic marble textures, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The temperatures at which 5% weight loss occurred (T_d) were greater than 300°C for the polymers. The introduction of iridium complexes units did not change the liquid-crystalline state of polymer systems. With Ir³⁺ ion contents ranging between 0.6 and 2.4 mol%, luminescent intensity of polymers gradually increased.     

A Cobalt Metallacrown Anion Host with Guest‐Dependent Redox Activity

Two bowl‐shaped cavities , each having three OH^? hydrogen‐bond donors at its base, are present in double‐cone‐shaped metallacrown anion host [Co₆(μ‐OH)₆(μ‐L)₆]^m+ ( 1 ^{m +} ; HL=3{5}‐(pyrid‐2‐yl)‐5{3}‐(tert‐butyl)pyrazole). Depending on its affinity for the anions present, it can be isolated in its Co^III₃Co^II₃ (m=3; e.g., 1 (ClO₄)₃) and Co^III₂Co^II₄ (m=2; e.g., 1 (BF₄)₂ ? n H₂O) oxidation states. See picture for photographs of isolated salts.

     

Synthesis,characterization and liquid crystal‐aligning properties of new poly{3‐[4‐(n‐alkyloxy)phenyloxy]pyromellitimide}s

Four new polypyromellitimides (MC_m‐PPIs and MC_m‐OPIs, m = 6, 8) that are singly substituted with a flexible n‐alkyloxy side branch at the pyromellitimide ring were prepared by the two‐step polycondensation of 3‐[4‐(n‐alkyloxy)phenyloxy]pyromellitic dianhydrides (MC_m‐PMDAs, m = 6, 8) with p‐phenylenediamine (PDA) and 4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA), respectively. The dianhydride monomers were synthesized from durene via several reaction steps. Inherent viscosities of the precursor poly(amic acid)s ranged from 0.57 to 1.58 dl/g. After chemical structures of the polyimides had been characterized, their thermal properties, crystalline structures, and liquid crystal (LC) aligning abilities on their rubbed thin films were determined and discussed in comparison to the polypyromellitimides that are doubly substituted at the pyromellitimide ring with the same side branches. For all polymers thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) programs showed a typical two‐step degradation behavior with onset temperatures in the 430–455°C range. In X‐ray scattering studies all the samples were found to be amorphous, but the presence of a loosely developed layer structure could be confirmed, in which two main chains gather together to form a double‐strand backbone layer and n‐alkyl branches fill the space between the layers. On the rubbed surfaces of the polyimide thin films LCs uniformly aligned parallel to the rubbing direction with the pre‐tilt angles 5–7° in MC_m‐OPIs and 18–32° in MC_m‐PPIs. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Star-shaped polymers by living cationic polymerization. VII. Amphiphilic graft polymers of vinyl ethers with hydroxyl groups: Synthesis and host–guest interaction

Amphiphilic graft polymers of vinyl ethers (VEs) ( 6 ) where each branch consists of a hydrophilic polyalcohol and a hydrophobic poly(alkyl vinyl ether) segment were prepared on the basis of living cationic polymerization, and their properties and functions were compared with the corresponding amphiphilic star-shaped polymers. In toluene at ?15°C, the HI/ZnI₂-initiated living block polymer 2 of an ester-containing VE (CH₂? CHOCH₂CH₂OCOCH₃) and isobutyl VE (IBVE) was terminated with the diethyl 2-(vinyloxy)ethylmalonate anion [ 3 ; ^ΦC(COOEt)₂CH₂CH₂OCH ? CH₂] ( 2/3 = 1/2 mole ratio) to give a macromonomer ( 4 ), H[CH₂CH(OCH₂CH₂OCOCH₃)] _m-[CH₂CH(OiBu)]_n? C(COOEt)₂CH₂CH₂OCH ? CH₂ (m = 5, n = 15; M?_n = 2600, M?_w/M?_n = 1.13, 1.10 vinyl groups/chain). Subsequently, 4 was homopolymerized with HI/ZnI₂ in toluene at ?15°C. In 3 h, 85% of 4 was consumed and a graft polymer ( 5 ) was obtained [M?_w = 15000, DP_n (for 4 ) = 6]. The apparent M?_w (10,900) of 5 by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) is smaller than that by light scattering as well as that (18,300) by SEC of the corresponding linear polymer with the almost same molecular weight, indicating the formation of a multi-branched structure. Hydrolysis of the pendant esters in 5 gave the amphiphilic graft polymer 6 where each branch consists of a hydrophilic polyalcohol and a hydrophobic poly(IBVE) segment. The graft polymer 6 was found to interact specifically with small organic molecules (guests) with polar functional groups, and 6 differed in solubility and host-guest interaction from the corresponding star-shaped polymer. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Density functional study on highly energetic organic azides with empirical formula Cn(N3)m

The structural, electronic, and thermodynamical properties of C_n(N₃)_m (n = 1–7) (m = 4, 6) organic azides have been investigated using Density Functional Calculations. The ground state structures of organic azides were compared with C_nH_m (n = 1–7) (m = 4, 6) cumulenes which shows their higher relative stability. The stability and reactivity of organic azides were analyzed by calculating the HOMO-LUMO gap, binding energies, and harmonic frequencies of the azides. The binding energy and formation energy of C_n(N₃)_m (n = 1–7) (m = 4, 6) organic azides suggest their energetic stability. The structural analysis of the azide group in C_n(N₃)_m (n = 1–7) (m = 4, 6) organic azide shows a tendency to stabilize at a maximum separation between functional azide groups. Ionization potential, electron affinities, and global hardness have been computed for C_n(N₃)_m (n = 1–7) (m = 4, 6) organic azides and the odd–even alternation rule was observed. The molecular dynamic simulation performed at 300 K for 1 fs confirms organic azide's structural stability at room temperature, except for C₄(N₃)₄, and the members of their family can be synthesized.     

Synthese und flüssigkristalline Eigenschaften 2,6-disubstituierter Naphthaline

Synthesis and Liquid-Crystal Properties of 2,6-Disubstituted Naphthalene Derivatives The syntheses and the mesomorphic properties of a series of novel 2,6-disubstituted naphthalenes are described. 4-[6-(n-Alkyl)-2-naphthyl]benzonitriles 5 and 4-[6-(n-Alkoxy)-2-naphthyl]benzonitriles 8 exhibit widerange nematic mesophases. 6,6′-Di(n-alkyl)-2,2′-binaphthyls 6 have been isolated as by-products from the reaction mixtures of 5 . Some of these novel compounds have polymorphic properties. The esters 13 and 15 of 4-(6-hydroxy-2-naphthyl)benzonitrile show enhanced mesophase stabilities which reach maximum values in the series of α, β-unsaturated esters 15 . The 4-(n-pentyl)benzoate 14 of the same (hydroxynaphthyl)benzonitrile has a melting point of 125° and a clearing point of > 310°. This particular derivative belongs to those liquid-crystalline compounds having the broadest purely nematic-phase range. In addition, (RS)-4-(2-pentyl-6-chromanyl)benzonitrile ( 20 ) and three compounds with two and four laterally arranged CN groups at the bicyclo[2.2.2]octene, bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene, and the phenyl-ring systems 31 – 33 were synthesized. Only 20 shows mesomorphic properties.