The heat capacity of the doubly reentrant mesogen: 4-cyanobenzoyloxy-4′-octylbenzoyloxy-p-phenylene

Abstract

Heat capacity of a 20 g sample of the mesogen 4-cyanobenzoyloxy-4′-octylbenzoyloxy-p-phenylene was measured in the temperature range 380 to 510 K by adiabatic calorimetry. The C _p versus T data is interpreted in terms of thermodynamically equivalent S_A1 and S_Ad phases whose Gibbs potential surface intersects the thermodynamically equivalent reentrant nematic and nematic Gibbs potential surface in such a way as to define the first order doubly reentrant phase sequence: S_A1-N-S_Ad-N. The data do not allow any precise estimates of transition enthalpies.     

X-ray investigation of the nematic and reentrant nematic phases of N-[(4-n-octyloxybenzoyloxy)-salicilidene]-4′-cyanoaniline

We have performed an X-ray scattering study of the nematic-smectic A and reentrant nematic-smectic A phase transitions in N-[(4-n-octyloxybenzoyloxy)-salicilidene]-4′-cyanoaniline (OOBOSCA). A diffractometer with a linear position sensitive detector was used. The results show that the smectic phase in OOBOSCA is of the A_d type with an interlayer spacing incommensurate with the molecular length L; d ∽ 1·2L. In the reentrant nematic phase two types of fluctuation modes were found. One of them corresponds to the monolayer wavevector q ₁ ∽ 2π/L, and the other is due to the partial bilayer fluctuations with the wavevector q ₂ ∽ 0·8q ₁. The temperature dependences of the interlayer spacing, X-ray scattering intensity and longitudinal correlation length for both types of layering in the reentrant nematic phase are presented. The change of the fluctuation regime from S_Ad, to S_Cd type with decreasing temperature in the reentrant nematic phase of OOBOSCA was found. The results are discussed on the basis of models with competing order parameters. The influence of alkyl chain flexibility on the stability of a partial bilayer smectic phase is also considered.     

Conformational effects on mesophase stability: numerical comparison of carborane diester homologous series with their bicyclo[2.2.2]octane,cyclohexane and benzene analogues

Three series of diesters of 4‐alkoxyphenols containing 12‐vertex p‐carborane (1A[n], n = 1–22), 10‐vertex p‐carborane (1B[n], n = 1–12) or bicyclo[2.2.2]octane (1C[n], n = 1–12) as the central structural element were prepared and investigated by optical and calorimetric methods. All carborane diesters exhibited exclusively nematic behaviour, whereas the carbocyclic analogues 1C[n] and also cyclohexane (1D[n]) and benzene (1E[n]) derivatives, showed early onset of SmA phase and complete disappearance of nematic behaviour. The isotropic transition temperatures, T _MI, for the five series of mesogens were analysed numerically using a three‐parameter exponential function. The resulting limiting values, T _MI(∞), provided a quantitative assessment of the central element ability to support the mesogenic state. They demonstrated that, whereas the T _MI(∞) values for the carbocycles, C, D, and E, are around 125°C, for carboranes A and B this value is 70±2°C and 49±19°C, respectively. Two types of comparative analysis of trends in T _MI relative to those of the terephthalate series 1E[n] demonstrated abnormal behaviour of both carborane series (1A[n] and 1B[n]) and also the cyclohexane series (1D[n]). The former showed progressive destabilisation of the mesophase, whereas the series 1D[n] exhibited increasing mesophase stability relative to 1E[n] with increasing chain length. Both of these effects were explained using conformational analysis of theoretical models and experimental molecular structures for 1A[3], 1B[4] and 1C[4]. The increasing relative destabilisation of the mesophase in the carborane derivatives was rationalised by the high order rotational axes in A and B and D _4d symmetry for B. The trend of the ΔT _MI values for series 1D[n] was explained with the existence of the equatorial‐axial conformational equilibrium for the cyclohexane derivatives. The clearing temperatures for the hypothetical pure diequatorial conformers 1D[n]‐ee were estimated.     

Mesogenic cinnamates with a substituted ethyl terminal chain*

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

Liquid crystal dimers and the twist-bend nematic phase. The preparation and characterisation of the α,ω-bis(4-cyanobiphenyl-4′-yl) alkanedioates

Eleven members of the homologous series of liquid crystal dimers, the α,ω-bis(4-cyanobiphenyl-4′-yl) alkanedioates, have been synthesised and their transitional properties characterised. These dimers consist of two cyanobiphenyl units connected by an alkyl spacer attached via ester linkages. All eleven members exhibit exclusively nematic behaviour. The nematic–isotropic transition temperatures, T_NI, and associated entropy changes, ?S_NI/R, exhibit pronounced alternations as the length and parity of the spacer is varied; this is characteristic behaviour of liquid crystal dimers. The transitional properties of the ester-linked dimers are compared with the corresponding materials having either ether, methylene or carbonate linkages between the spacer and mesogenic units. For short spacer lengths and both odd- and even-membered dimers, the ester-linked materials show the highest values of T_NI and the methylene-linked the lowest. For longer spacer lengths, T_NI of the carbonate-linked dimers fall between those of the corresponding ester- and ether-linked dimers. The ether-linked materials show the largest alternation in ?S_NI/R on varying spacer length and the carbonate-linked dimers the lowest. This behaviour is interpreted in terms of the molecular geometry and it is suggested that the ether- and ester-linked odd-membered dimers have rather similar shapes. A phase diagram constructed using binary mixtures of the pentyl member of this ester-linked series and the known twist-bend nematogen, 1,7-bis(4-cyanobiphenyl-4′-yl)heptane (CB7CB), is presented. The twist-bend nematic–nematic transition temperature of the mixtures shows a striking convex curvature as the concentration of CB7CB is decreased, and so it is not possible to estimate a virtual twist-bend nematic–nematic transition temperature for the ester-linked material.     

Sulfur-linked cyanobiphenyl-based liquid crystal dimers and the twist-bend nematic phase

ABSTRACT

The synthesis and characterisation of two series of cyanobiphenyl-based liquid crystal dimers containing sulfur links between the spacer and mesogenic units, the 4?-[1,ω-alkanediylbis(thio)]bis-[1,1?-biphenyl]-4-carbonitriles (CBSnSCB), and 4?-({ω-[(4?-cyano[1,1?-biphenyl]-4-yl)oxy]alkyl}thio)[1,1?-biphenyl]-4-carbonitriles (CBSnOCB) are described. The odd members of both series show twist-bend nematic and nematic phases, whereas the even members exhibit only the nematic phase. An analogous cyanoterphenyl-based dimer, 3⁴-{6-[(4?-cyano[1,1?-biphenyl]-4-yl)thio]-hexyl}[1¹,2¹:2⁴,3¹-terphenyl]-1⁴-carbonitrile (CT6SCB), is also reported and shows enantiotropic N_TB and N phases. The transitional properties of these dimers are discussed in terms of molecular curvature, flexibility and biaxiality. The same molecular factors also influence the birefringence of nematic phases. Resonant X-ray scattering studies of the twist-bend nematic phase at both the carbon and sulfur absorption edges were performed, which allowed for the determination of critical behaviour of the helical pitch at the transition to the nematic phase, the behaviour was found to be independent of molecular structure. It was also observed that despite the different molecular bending angle and flexibility, in all compounds the helical pitch length far from the N-N_TB transition corresponds to 4 longitudinal molecular distances.     

Liquid crystals of some new tolane derivatives containing a 1,2-ethylene linkage

Abstract

Three types of nematogenic compound, 4-[2-(trans-4-alkylcyclohexyl)ethyl]-4′-alkyltolanes, 2-fluoro-4-[2-(trans-4-alkylcyclohexyl)ethyl]-4′-alkyltolanes and 4-[2-(trans-4-alkylcyclohexyl)ethyl]-4′-halogenotolanes, have been synthesized and their transition temperatures and enthalpies determined. Their bulk viscosity and birefringence have been estimated from those of mixtures with other liquid-crystalline compounds. These compounds have been found to be excellent materials for twisted nematic displays, because of their wide nematic temperature range, high birefringence (Δn = 0·26), and low viscosity (η = 21 cP at 20°C). Several related compounds having other central linkages, namely -CH₂O-, a single bond or -COO-, in place of the 1,2-ethylene group, have also been studied.     

Two stereoisomeric pentacyclic oxin­dole alkaloids from Uncaria tomentosa: uncarine C and uncarine E

The chloro­form solvate of uncarine C (pteropodine), (1′S,3R,4′aS,5′aS,10′aS)‐1,2,5′,5′a,7′,8′,10′,10′a‐octa­hydro‐1′‐methyl‐2‐oxospiro­[3H‐indole‐3,6′(4′aH)‐[1H]­pyrano­[3,4‐f]indolizine]‐4′‐carboxyl­ic acid methyl ester, C₂₁H₂₄N₂O₄·CHCl₃, has an absolute configuration with the spiro C atom in the R configuration. Its epimer at the spiro C atom, uncarine E (isopteropodine), (1′S,3S,4′aS,5′aS,10′aS)‐1,2,5′,5′a,7′,8′,10′,10′a‐octahydro‐1′‐methyl‐2‐oxospiro[3H‐indole‐3,6′(4′aH)‐[1H]pyrano[3,4‐f]indolizine]‐4′‐carboxylic acid methyl ester, C₂₁H₂₄N₂O₄, has Z′ = 3, with no solvent. Both form intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving only the ox­indole, with N?O distances in the range 2.759 (4)–2.894 (5) Å.     

Spiro[1,3-benzoxathiepin-4(5H),1′-cyclohexa[2,4]dien]-2,2′-dione,a Novel Heterocyclic Ring System

Abstract

Besides the common cyclisation reactions between divalent electrophiles such as Soc1₂, SC1₂, etc. and 2,2′-alkylidene-bisphenols 1 with selective attack by the two oxygens yielding dibenzo[d,g][1,3,2]dioxathiocines [1] we observed previously an unusual cyclisation of 1 with S₂CI₂ with a nucleophilic attack by the ortho- and para-carbon atoms (C(2) and C(4)) of bisphenol 1 [2]. We now report a new type of cyclocondensation reaction of 4,4′,6,6′-tetrasubstituted 2,2′-alkylidene-bisphenols 1 with ClSCOCl affording spiro[1,3-benzoxathiepin-4(5H),1′-cyclohexa[2,4]dien]-2,2′-diones 2 together with the cyclic carbonates 3. The structures of the products were elucidated mainly by ^l3C-NMR- and ¹H-NMR-spectroscopy. The mode of formation of the novel spiro thiocarbonates 2 resp. the known carbonates 3 [3] is discussed.     

Hockey-stick liquid crystalline 6-oxoverdazyl§

A series of hockey-stick shaped 6-oxoverdazyl radicals 1[n]–3[n], containing CH₃ (a), CF₃ (b) and CN (c) groups in the short ‘arm’, were prepared and their physical properties were investigated. Mesogenic behaviour was found only in the CN derivatives with the COO (1[n]c) and N=N (2[12]c) linking groups, which exhibited a nematic phase. Analysis of binary mixtures of selected compounds with bent-core nematic host 4[12] gave virtual nematic-isotropic transition temperatures, [T_NI], which follow the order 1[12]b < 1[12]c < 1[12]a in one series and 1[12]c < 2[12]c < (3[12]c) in another. The observed effectiveness of the short-arm substituent, CF₃ < CN < CH₃, was related to the magnitude and orientation of the molecular dipole moment calculated with density functional theory methods.     

Ferroelectric liquid crystals induced by dopants with axially chiral 2,2′‐spirobiindan‐1,1′‐dione cores: diether vs. diester side‐chains

A series of axially chiral 5,5′‐ and 6,6′‐dialkanoyloxy‐2,2′‐spirobiindan‐1,1′‐dione dopants, (R)‐2 and (R)‐4a–4c were synthesized in optically pure form and their ferroelectric polarization powers, δ_p, measured in four liquid crystal hosts with isotropic (I)–nematic (N)–smectic A (SmA)–smectic C (SmC) phase sequences. The results show that the sign of polarization P _S induced by (R)‐2 and (R)‐4a–4c follows the same trend as that previously reported for the 5,5′‐ and 6,6′‐diheptyloxy‐2,2′‐spirobiindan‐1,1′‐dione dopants, (R)‐1 and (R)‐3. The polarization induced by (R)‐2 in the host DFT is below detection limits, and the sign of P _S was found to invert as a function of temperature at mole fractions as low as 0.01. On the other hand, the polarization power of the 6,6′‐diheptanoyloxy dopant (R)‐4b in the host NCB76 is ?1449 nC cm^?2, the fourth highest value reported so far, and more than three times the δ_p value of the 5,5′‐diheptanoyloxy analogue (R)‐2 in that host (+474 nC cm^?2). Results of ²H NMR experiments suggest that (R)‐4b exerts stronger local perturbations in NCB76 than (R)‐2, and that these perturbations may be chiral in nature.     

Cyanobiphenyl-based liquid crystal dimers and the twist-bend nematic phase

ABSTRACT

The synthesis and characterisation of several members of the 1,ω-bis(4-cyanobiphenyl-4′-yl) alkane (CBnCB) and the 1-(4-cyanobiphenyl-4′-yloxy)-ω-(4-cyanobiphenyl-4′-yl) alkane (CBnOCB) homologous series are reported. The new odd members described CB5CB, CB13CB, CB4OCB, CB8OCB and CB10OCB all exhibit twist-bend nematic and nematic phases. The members of these series already reported in literature, CB7CB, CB9CB, CB11CB and CB6OCB, were also prepared in order to allow for a direct comparison of their transitional properties. The properties of these dimers are also compared to those of the corresponding members of the 1,ω-bis(4-cyanobiphenyl-4,-yloxy) alkanes (CBOnOCB). For any given total spacer length, for odd members of these series, the nematic–isotropic transition temperatures and associated entropy changes are greatest for the CBOnOCB dimer and lowest for the CBnCB dimer. These trends are understood in terms of molecular shape. For short spacer lengths, the twist-bend nematic–nematic transition temperature (T_NTBN) is higher for the CBnOCB series than for the CBnCB series but this is reversed as the spacer length increases. Of the CBOnOCB dimers, a virtual value of T_NTBN was estimated for CBO3OCB and T_NTBN was measured for CBO5OCB. These values are considerably lower than those observed for the corresponding members of the CBnCB or CBnOCB series. The dependence of T_NTBN on molecular structure is discussed not only in terms of the molecular curvature but also in the ability of the molecules to pack efficiently. As the temperature range of the preceding nematic phase increases, so the twist-bend nematic–nematic transition entropy change decreases and the transition approaches second order for the longer spacers. For comparative purposes, the transitional behaviour of the even-membered dimers CB6CB, CB5OCB and CBO4OCB is reported and differences accounted for in terms of molecular shape.     

Non‐iterative Asymmetric Synthesis of C15 Polyketide Spiroketals

The 2,2′‐methylenebis[furan] ( 1 ) was converted to 1‐{(4R,6S))‐6‐[(2R)‐2,4‐dihydroxybutyl]‐2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐4‐yl}‐3‐[(2R,4R)‐tetrahydro‐4,6‐dihydroxy‐2H‐pyran‐2‐yl)propan‐2‐one ((+)‐ 18 ) and its (4S)‐epimer (?)‐ 19 with high stereo‐ and enantioselectivity (Schemes 1–3). Under acidic methanolysis, (+)‐ 18 yielded a single spiroketal, (3R)‐4‐{(1R,3S,4′R,5R,6′S,7R)‐3′,4′,5′,6′‐tetrahydro‐4′‐hydroxy‐7‐methoxyspiro[2,6‐dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane‐3,2′‐[2H]pyran]‐6′‐yl}butane‐1,3‐diol ((?)‐ 20 ), in which both O‐atoms at the spiro center reside in equatorial positions, this being due to the tricyclic nature of (?)‐ 20 (methyl pyranoside formation). Compound (?)‐ 19 was converted similarly into the (4′S)‐epimeric tricyclic spiroketal (?)‐ 21 that also adopts a similar (3S)‐configuration and conformation. Spiroketals (?)‐ 20 , (?)‐ 21 and analog (?)‐ 23 , i.e., (1R,3S,4′R,5R,6′R)‐3′,4′,5′,6′‐tetrahydro‐6′‐[(2S)‐2‐hydroxybut‐3‐enyl]‐7‐methoxyspiro[2,6‐dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane‐3,2′‐[2H]pyran]‐4′‐ol, derived from (?)‐ 20 , were assayed for their cytotoxicity toward murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia and six human cancer cell lines. Only racemic (±)‐ 21 showed evidence of cancer‐cell‐growth inhibition (P388, ED₅₀: 6.9 μg/ml).     

Homogeneous Catalysis with Dicationic PdII Complexes: Aldol reaction of methyl isocyanoacetate with benzaldehyde

A series of dicationic Pd^II-acetonitrile complexes containing bi- and tridentate nitrogen and bidentate phosphine ligands (some of which are chiral) has been prepared as their BF₄ salts. The molecular structures for two of these, [Pd(CH₃CN)₂(bipy)] (BF₄)₂ ( 4 ) and [Pd(CH₃CN)((pybox)(i-Pr))] (BF₄)₂((S,S)-pybox(i-Pr) = 2,6-bis[(S)-4′-isopropyloxazolin-2′-yl]pyridine, 5 ) have been determined by X-ray diffraction. All of these complexes are shown to be effective homogeneous catalysts for the aldol-type condensation of the isonitrile, methyl isocyanoacetate, with benzaldehyde. Two isonitrile complexes, [Pd(2,2′-bipyridyl)(CNCH₂COOCH₃)₂] (BF₄)₂ and [Pd((S,S)-pybox(i-Pr))(CNCH₂COOCH₃)] (BF₄)₂, have also been prepared.     

The Diastereoselective Formation of 1,2,4-Trioxanes and 1,3-Dioxolanes by the reaction of endoperoxides with chiral cyclohexanones

1,4-Diphenyl-2,3-dioxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene ( 2 ), on treatment with a catalytic amount of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (Me₃SiOTf) in CH₂Cl₂ at ?78°, reacts with excess (?)-menthone ( 10 ) to give (1S,2S,4′aS,5R,7′aS)-4′a,7′a-dihydro-2-isopropyl-5-methyl-6′,7′-diphenylspiro[cyclohexane-1,3′-[7′H]cyclopenta-[1,2,4]trioxine] ( 11 ) and its (1R,2S,4′aR,5R,7′aR)-diastereoisomer 12 in a 1:1 ratio and in 21% yield. Repeating the reaction with 1.1 equiv. of Me₃SiOTf with respect to 2 affords 11 , 12 , and (1S,2S,3′a.R,5R,6′aS)-3′a,6′a-dihydro-2-isopropyl-5-methyl-3′a-phenoxy-5′-phenylspiro[cyclohexane-l,2′-[4′H]cyclopenta[1,3]dioxole] ( 13 ) together with its(1R,2S,3′aS,5R,6′aR)-diastereoisomer 14 in a ratio of 3:3:3:1 and in 56% yield. (+)-Nopinone( 15 ) in excess reacts with 2 in the presence of 1.1 equiv. of Me₃SiOTf to give a pair of 1,2,4-trioxanes ( 16 and 17 ) analogous to 11 and 12 , and a pair of 1,3-dioxolanes ( 18 and 19 ) analogous to 13 and 14 , in a ratio of 8:2:3:3 and in 85% yield. (?)-Carvone and racemic 2-(tert-butyl)cyclohexanone under the same conditions behave like 15 and deliver pairs of diastereoisomeric trioxanes and dioxolanes. In general, catalytic amounts of Me₃SiOTf give rise to trioxanes, whereas 1.5 equiv. overwhelmingly engender dioxolanes. Adamantan-2-one combines with 2 giving only (4′aRS,7′aRS)-4′a,7′a-dihydro-6′.7′a-diphenylspiro[adamantane-2,3′-[7′H]cyclopenta[1,2,4]trioxine] in 98% yield regardless of the amount of Me3SiOTf used. The reaction of 1,4-dipheny 1-2,3-dioxabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-ene ( 32 ) with 10 and 1.1 equiv. of Me3SiOTf produces only the pair of trioxanes 33 and 34 homologous to 11 and 12 . Treatment of the (S,S)-diastereoisomer 33 with Zn and AcOH furnishes (1S,2S)-1,4-diphenylcyclohex-3-ene-1,2-diol. The crystal structures of 11 – 13 and 16 are obtained by X-ray analysis. The reaction courses of 10 and the other chiral cyclohexanones with prochiral endoperoxides 2 and 32 to give trioxanes are rationalized in terms of the respective enantiomeric silylperoxy cations which are completely differentiated by the si and re faces of the ketone function. The origin of the 1,3-dioxolanes is ascribed to 1,2 rearrangement of the corresponding trioxanes, which occurs with retention of configuration of the angular substituent.     

Succinct and Facile Synthesis of Innovative Thiopyrimidines With Antimicrobial and Antitubercular Investigation

Abstract

To develop a series of bioactive heterocycles in minimum number of steps, 3-methyl- 4-(substituted phenyl)-1-phenyl-4,8-dihydropyrazolo[4′,3′:5,6]pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-5,7 (1H,6H)-dithione 2(a–j), 4-(4-substituted phenyl)-5-imino-3-methyl-1,6-diphenyl-4,5,6,8-tetrahydropyrazolo[4′,3′:5,6]pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-7(1H)-thione 3(a–j), and N-[4-(subs- tituted phenyl)-3-methyl-1-phenyl-7-thioxo-1,4,7,8-hexahydropyrazolo[4′,3′:5,6]pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-5-yl]thiourea 4(a–j) have been synthesized from amino nitrile functionality 1(a–j). The structures of the compounds were elucidated by IR, ¹H NMR, elemental analysis, and some representative ¹³C NMR and mass spectra. All the title compounds were screened for antimicrobial and antitubercular activities, while some representative compounds were tested for antioxidant activity. Out of synthesized compounds, compounds 1j (4-CH₃), 2d (4-F), 4c (4-OH), and 4i (3-Br) exhibited maximum inhibition against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis H₃₇Rv. Compound 3c (4-OH) revealed elevated efficacy against all tested bacterial strain, while compounds 1i (3-Br), 2c (4-OH), and 3h (3-NO₂) were found efficacious against Candida albicans as compared to standard drugs.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

Optically-active comb-branch liquid crystalline polymers having the chiral center in the flexible spacer unit. III. Copolymers of (S)-2-(4′-cyano-4-biphenylyloxy)-1-methylethoxy ethyl methacrylate and di[6-(4-methoxy-4′-oxybiphenyl) hexyl]-2-methylene butane-1,4-dioate

A new series of copolymers with optically-active liquid crystalline side chain units has been synthesized from the comonomers (S)-2-[2-(4′-cyano-4-biphenylyloxy-1-methylethoxy]ethyl methacrylate ( 1 ) and di[6-(4-methoxy-4′-oxybiphenyl)hexyl]-2-methylene butane-1,4-dioate ( 4 ). Chiral nematic phases were exhibited by two members of the series, rich in monomer 1 , while a smectic phase was exhibited in copolymers rich in 4 . While it was thought possible that ordered chiral liquid crystalline phases may be induced by copolymerizing chiral mesogenic monomers with mesogenic derivatives of itaconic acid where the high side chain density encourages greater ordering in the system, no evidence of smectic C^* phases could be found in the present systems. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Efficient,scalable kinetic resolution of cis-4-benzyloxy-2,3-epoxybutanol

A new enzyme catalysed kinetic resolution of cis-4-benzyloxy-2,3-epoxybutanol has been reported. Efficient, scalable separation of the optically active alcohol from its ester derivative has been solved with liquid–liquid and solid–liquid extraction methods using commercial organic solvents and supercritical carbon dioxide. cis-4-Benzyloxy-2,3-epoxy-1-butanol enantiomers were applied for the enantioselective synthesis of (2S,3S,1′S)- and (2R,3R,1′R)-3-[2′-(dibenzylamino)-1′-hydroxyethyl]-2-phenyloxetane.     

Liquid crystalline polymers XII. Main chain thermotropic poly(arylidene-ether)s containing 4-tertiary-butyl-cyclohexanone moiety linked with polymethylene spacers

A new homologous series of thermally stable thermotropic liquid crystalline poly(arylidene-ether)s based on 4-tertiary-butyl-cyclohexanone moiety was synthesised by solution polycondensation of 4,4′-diformyl-α,ω-diphenoxyalkanes, I_a–f, or 4,4′-diformyl-2,2′-dimethoxy-α,ω-diphenoxyalkanes, II_a–f, with the 4-tertiary-butyl-cyclohexanone monomer. A model compound III was synthesised from the monomer with benzaldehyde and characterised by elemental and spectral analyses. The inherent viscosities of the resulting polymers were in the range of 0.18–0.92 dL/g. The mesomorphic properties of these polymers were studied as a function of the diphenoxyalkane space length. Their thermotropic liquid crystalline properties were examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and optical polarising microscopy and demonstrated that the resulting polymers form nematic mesophases over wide temperature ranges. The thermal properties of those polymers were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis and DSC measurements and correlated to their structural units. X-ray analysis showed that polymers having some degree of crystallinity in the region 2θ = 5–60°. In addition, the morphological properties of selected examples were tested by scanning electron microscopy.