Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals. Part 9. Laterally substituted phenyl benzoates incorporating a trans-1,4-disubstituted cyclohexane ring

About 65 diverse phenyl benzoates incorporating a trans-1,4-disubstituted cyclohexane ring and at least one lateral substituent have been synthesised. The dependence of the liquid-crystal transition temperatures of these materials on various lateral substituents (F, Cl, CN, and Br) in different positions of the esters has been investigated systematically. The influence of up to four F-atoms in various positions of a standard ester has been thoroughly studied and the optimum combination for a broad smectic C mesomorphic range established. In consequence, three homologous series incorporating the 4-alkoxy-2,3-difluorobenzoic-acid moiety were prepared. An additional C?C bond was introduced into the alkyl chain attached to the cyclohexane ring of some of these esters and the resulting modifications of the transition temperatures determined. Three ester series incorporating a lateral substituent and the optically active (+)-(S)-(1-methylheptyl)oxy substituent have also been synthesised, and similar effects have been observed. These materials can be used as important components of commercial chiral smectic C mixtures for electro-optic display device applications.     

Ferroelectric liquid crystals V. Chiral alkenyloxyphenyl 4-biphenyl-1-carboxylates

Abstract

Approximately thirty 4-(alkenyloxy)phenyl 4′-alkyl/alkoxy-4-biphenyl-1-carboxylates incorporating a chiral centre at the point of branching of the terminal alkyl/alkoxy chain have been synthesized. The three carbon chains investigated were 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylpentyl and 2-methylbutoxy. The configuration of the chiral centre is (S) in each case. The effect of the alkenyloxy chain length on the liquid crystal transition temperatures of the three homologous series prepared has been studied systematically. Chiral smectic C and chiral nematic mesophases, as well as a smectic A mesophase in several cases, were observed over a wide temperature range for most of the esters prepared.     

Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals. Part 2. Chiral phenyl benzoates incorporating a trans-1,4-disubstituted cyclohexane ring

About forty novel phenyl benzoates also incorporating a trans-1,4-disubstituted cyclohexane ring and a chiral centre have been prepared. The dependence of the liquid-crystal transition temperatures of this new class of compounds on lateral substituents, diverse central linkages, chain lengths, and position of the chiral centre has been studied systematically. The synthesis and liquid-crystal transition temperatures of these new compounds are described in detail.     

Smectic C phenylpyridines with an alkenyloxy chain

Abstract

The known 5-n-alkoxy-2-[4-(n-alkoxy)phenyl]pyridines exhibit high smectic C transition temperatures as well as various highly ordered smectic mesophases. An unsaturated carbon-carbon double bond has now been introduced into the terminal alkoxy chain of these heterocyclic materials to produce the corresponding alkenyloxy substituted derivatives. The postion and nature (E/Z) of the double bond has been varied systematically and the effect on the liquid crystal transition temperatures determined. A number of homologous series of the most promising alkenyloxy substituted materials has been prepared and evaluated. The position and nature (E/Z) of the double bond changes the conformation of the alkenyloxy chain to a significant degree. This can lead to slightly higher smectic C transition temperatures for compounds with a trans-double bond (E) at an even number of carbon atoms from the molecular core. However, the highly ordered mesophase transition temperatures are increased to a greater degree leading to a reduction in the smectic C temperature range. Significantly lower transition temperatures (including the melting point) are observed for materials with a cis-double bond (Z) at an odd number of carbon atoms from the molecular core. Comparisons with the corresponding alkoxy substituted materials (i.e. without a double bond) are made. These new alkenyloxy materials can be used to increase the smectic C and nematic transition temperatures of chiral mixtures for electrooptical display devices based on ferroelectric effects.     

Synthesis of cyclopentyloxy terphenyl liquid crystals with negative dielectric anisotropy

Liquid crystalline materials possessing negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε) have attracted considerable attention because they can be used to formulate eutectic mixture for several display applications. The negative Δε can be achieved by introducing a lateral polar substituent onto the mesogen core of a liquid crystalline material, and fluorine atoms are usually used because of the small size and high electronegativity. 2,3-ortho-Difluoro substituent liquid crystals exhibit stable and profound physical properties such as the low viscosity, strong negative Δε, and high solubility. To avoid the decrease of the mesophase range, 2,3-ortho-difluorophenyl is often placed next to the terminal chain. In this paper, we have synthesised a new series of 2,3-ortho-difluoroterphenyl liquid crystals with a negative dielectric anisotropy. Ether oxygen is introduced to the structure because it can further increase the lateral dipole moment. 3-Alkylcyclopentane end group decreases both the melting point and the viscosity, which makes it an appropriate substituent for negative Δε 2,3-ortho-difluoroterphenyl liquid crystals. The mesomorphic properties as well as the optical anisotropies of the synthesised liquid crystals are discussed in this paper. All compounds in the series are found to possess highly negative dielectric anisotropy, wide mesophase ranges; therefore, they have a great potential to formulate eutectic mixture for liquid crystal displays.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties and optical behaviour analysis of homologous series azobenzene liquid crystal monomer with polar substituents

ABSTRACT

Twenty novel azobenzene liquid crystal micromolecular compounds named ω-[4-(p-substituted azobenzeneoxy carbonyl]acid (X-ABCnA) have been designed and synthesised, followed by studies on the thermal performance and mesomorphic properties of the compounds. The liquid crystal compounds were divided into five homologous series based on the terminal substituents R (R = CH₃O, CH₃, H, Cl, NO₂). In each series, the number of carbons on flexible chain was 4, 6, 8 and 10, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared, proton nuclear magnetic resonance and elementary analysis demonstrated that the structure of the synthesised azobenzene liquid crystal compounds was consistent with the molecular design. The mesomorphic properties were tested, analysed and characterised by using differential scanning calorimetry and polarised optical microscopy. The melting transition (T _m) of all the compounds in homologous series with different substituents appeared to decrease with the increase of carbon numbers on flexible chains. The same held true for the temperature of isotropic-mesophase/crystalline transition. The compounds with stronger polarity of terminal substituents were more likely to form broader mesogenic ranges. The liquid crystal compounds discussed in this work can be regarded as a reference for the synthesis of mesogenic arms participating in the synthesis of novel multi-arm liquid crystalline macromolecules and polymers.     

New 1,2,4‐ and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole materials: synthesis,and mesomorphic and luminescence properties

The synthesis and liquid crystalline properties of new series of 1,2,4‐ and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivatives (2a–f and 5a–f respectively) are reported. These compounds contain only one terminal flexible alkoxy chain, the other terminal substituent is a protecting benzyl group. All compounds of series 2 exhibit an enantiotropic nematic phase. The homologue with the longest chain (2f) displays an enantiotropic dimorphism smectic A– nematic. None of the compounds of series 5 shows mesomorphism and only crystal–isotropic transitions were observed. The liquid crystalline properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X‐ray measurements. Luminescence properties, in chloroform solution, of 2f and the series 5 compounds were evaluated. Good photoluminescence quantum yields for compounds of series 5 were observed. Compound 2f, incorporating the 1,2,4‐oxadiazole ring shows a very strong reduction in emissive properties.     

The Synthesis and Liquid Crystal Properties of Some 2,5-Disubstituted Pyridines

Abstract

The synthesis is reported of fifteen three-ring 2,5-disubstituted pyridines and two pyridine-N-oxides where the pyridine rings carry a variety of alkyl, aryl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylethyl and fluorinated-aryl substituents. The mesomorphic transition temperatures for these compounds have been measured; all the compounds show enantiotropic phases. The different substituent effects are discussed and comparisons are made with previous work on analogous systems where the hetero-function is replaced by C-F.     

4-(5-Alkyl-2-pyridinyl)phenyl alkanoates: Some novel smectic materials for display devices

Abstract

Three homologous series of 4-(5-alkyl-2-pyridinyl)phenyl alkanoates have been prepared. The synthesis and the liquid crystal transition temperatures of these esters are reported. Many members of these three ester series exhibit enantiotropic, wide range smectic F mesophases and some narrow range smectic C mesophases. However, in admixture with a chiral smectic C base mixture, the esters often induce a substantial increase in the chiral smectic C–smectic A transition temperature and, at the same time, decrease the temperature of crystallization. Thus, the temperature range of the chiral smectic C mesophase is substantially extended at both high and low temperatures. Ordered smectic mesophases are only observed at very low temperatures, if at all. These chiral smectic C mixtures are characterized by short switching times in surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal displays (SSFLCD). These novel esters are of especial interest for short-pitch chiral smectic C mixtures for short pitch bistable ferroelectric liquid crystal displays (SBFLCD) with short response times.     

Ferroelectric liquid crystals VI. Chiral 5-alkyl-2-phenylpyrimidines

Abstract

Over 50 variously substituted 5-alkyl-2-phenylpyrimidines have been synthesized. The effect of the presence of an additional olefinic double bond in the terminal position of the alkoxy chain or of a trans-1,4-disubstituted cyclohexane ring on the liquid crystal transition temperatures of these systems has been studied in detail. All of the phenyl-pyrimidines studied possess an optically active centre at the point of methyl branching of one of the terminal carbon chains. The dependence of the transition temperatures of these systems on the position of the chiral centre has also been investigated. The effect of chain length has also been studied for various homologous series of mesogens. Almost all of the 5-alkyl-2-phenylpyrimides prepared exhibit enantiotropic chiral smectic C and cholesteric mesophases, some at and just above room temperature.     

2-(4-Alkylphenyl)-5-(alkenyloxy)pyrimidines: Synthesis,liquid crystal transition temperatures and some physical properties

Abstract

We have recently reported the introduction of a carbon-carbon double bond into a wide variety of 5-n-alkyl-2-(4-n-alkoxyphenyl)pyrimidines to produce the corresponding alkenyloxy derivatives. The position and nature (E/Z) of the double bond were varied systematically and the effect on the liquid crystal transition temperatures studied. The position and nature (E/Z) of the double bond changed the conformation of the alkenyloxy chain substantially. This resulted in higher smectic C and nematic transition temperatures for compounds with a trans-double bond (E) at an even number of carbon atoms from the molecular core. Significantly lower transition temperatures (including the melting point) were observed for materials with a cis-double bond (Z) at an odd number of carbon atoms from the molecular core. We have now performed the same operation on the related 2-(4-n-alkylphenyl)-5-n-alkoxypyrimidines to produce the corresponding alkenyloxy derivatives. An interesting feature of the new results is the high melting points of the trans-substituted materials and the low melting points of the terminally substituted compounds. The smectic C transition temperatures of both series are high. No nematic phases could be observed. However, in admixture with other smectic C components, the new compounds lead to surprisingly fast switching times, high smectic C transition temperatures and low melting points/crystallization temperatures in experimental mixtures designed for electro-optic display devices based on ferroelectric effects.     

含亚胺和胆甾烯基不对称液晶二聚体的合成及介晶性

报道含亚胺和胆甾烯基不对称液晶二聚体化合物XC₆H₄N＝CHC₆H₄OC₁₀H₂₀COOCh* [X＝OC_nH_2n＋1, (n＝1～12,14), F, Cl, Br, CH₃] (1a～1q)的合成及液晶性. 目标化合物通过600 MHz ¹H NMR和元素分析进行了结构表征. 其介晶性通过偏光显微镜(POM)和差示扫描量热计(DSC)进行了研究. 结果显示: 所有化合物都具有胆甾相(N*). 对于烷氧基系列(X＝OC_nH_2n＋1), 有部分化合物还呈现了近晶A相(S_A), 且随着末端烷氧链长度的增加, 化合物的清亮点呈现缓慢下降的趋势, 而化合物从胆甾相到各向同性液体转变的熵变(ΔS_N*→I)则呈现奇-偶效应. 同时我们对比研究了取代基X对胆甾相稳定性的影响, 发现取代基X对胆甾相的稳定性高低顺序为: MeO＞Cl＞Br＞Me＞F. 这些结果证实了末端取代基的改变对化合物的相转变温度以及介晶性质有显著的影响.     

Three ring dioxanes as dopants enhancing the stability of the smectic C phase

Abstract

Searching for compounds which could be useful as modifiers of smectic C mixtures, we have synthesized four homologous series of three ring dioxanes, 2BBD, 5BBD, 2CBD, and 5CBD. Their phase transition temperatures and enthalpies were measured and their liquid crystal phases identified. Compounds belonging to series n-BBD form smectic B_cr phases for shorter alkyl chains, and smectic B_cr and A phases, for longer chains. Compounds belonging to the n-CBD series exhibit the smectic A phase, but those with longer alkyl chains have exclusively smectic B phases and those with short tails have other low temperature, highly ordered smectic phases. The compounds were added to smectic C mixture and it was found that some can be useful as dopants. Compounds with longer alkyl tails in the molecule are more suitable for this purpose; the type of ring in the core is less important.     

Synthesis and thermal properties of diurethanes containing various mesogenic units

Abstract

Five homologous series of diurethanes containing mesogenic moieties were synthesized by addition reactions of ω-alkenols to aromatic diisocyanates. The thermal behaviour of the compounds was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and on the hot stage of a polarizing microscope. Thermotropic liquid crystal behaviour was found for the diurethanes having a central core of more than two aromatic rings. Smectic C mesophases were observed for the derivatives of 4,4″-p-terphenylene and nematic mesophases for the diurethanes containing a di(4-phenylene)terephthalate unit. The compounds of both series possess high transition temperatures and narrow mesomorphic ranges.     

Synthesis and characterization of new liquid crystalline materials containing a non-activated arylazoindolinobenzospiropyranyl group as a chiral unit. Part II

Two series of new liquid crystalline compounds containing a non-activated arylazoindolinobenzospiropyran, ABP-SPAB 1a-1e (series 1) and SPAP-ABPC 2a-2e (series 2), have been synthesized. These LC dyes were characterized by a differential scanning calorimetry polarizing optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electro-optical measurements. All but one of the series 1 compounds examined exhibit monotropic second and/or third transition liquid crystal phases on cooling from the isotropic liquid. In particular, ABP-SPAB 1b shows a monotropic SmC phase, in addition to a SmA phase. In series 2, most of the compounds exhibit a monotropic nematic phase on cooling. SPAP-ABPC 2c forms an enantiotropic nematic phase and a monotropic SmA phase; 2e shows enantiotropic nematic and SmA phases.     

The optical anisotropy and orientational order parameter of two mesogens having slightly different flexible side chain – a comparative study

Variation of the phase transition temperatures and existence of different number of mesophases, due to the changes of -CH₂ groups at the oxygen containing flexible side chain between two Schiff’s base liquid crystals compounds p-ethoxybenzylidine p-heptylaniline (EBHA) and p-butoxybenzylidine p-heptylaniline (BBHA) have been studied by using POM and DSC. Refractive indices as a function of temperature of these two compounds have also been measured by the well-known thin prism technique. To get the best accuracy of refractive indices data a comparison between the experimental data and theoretical values which are obtained from modified four-parameter model based on Vuks’ hypothesis have been done. A comparative study of some important parameters such as, optical anisotropy, orientational order parameters of these two liquid crystal compounds have also been conducted.     

Synthesis and structure-property relationships of amphiphilic organogelators

A series of low-molecular-weight amphiphilic molecules was synthesized and investigated for their ability to gel organic solvents. These amphiphilic molecules are composed of a head-group moiety capable of forming intermolecular associations through hydrogen bonds and n-alkyl chains of various lengths. This paper describes the continuation of recently published work, in which this class of gelators was presented for the first time. Here, the focus addresses systematically three different structural variations of the head-group moiety: 1) the rigidity, 2) the type and strength of the hydrogen-bond-forming units, and 3) the reduction of the intermolecular interaction by incorporating a lateral substituent. The gelation behavior was investigated in p-xylene and in several polar solvents. The aim was to establish structure-property relationships and to provide organogelators capable of forming gels at low concentrations with adjustable sol-gel transition temperatures and good optical quality. For some individual compounds of the series this property profile was achieved. For the investigated solvents, with particular compounds, sol-gel transition temperatures above 100 degrees C with a reasonable concentration of gelator are obtainable.     

The synthesis and liquid crystal transition temperatures of some weakly polar nematic methyl (E)-[trans-4-substituted-cyclohexyl]-allyl ethers

Abstract

We have introduced an oxygen atom and a carbon-carbon double bond with a trans-configuration (E) into the terminal alkyl chain of a wide variety of liquid crystalline cyclohexane derivatives to produce a variety of new methyl (E)-allyl ethers. The melting points and tendency to form smectic mesophases are often low, while nearly all of the compounds prepared exhibit a nematic phase. Thus, even two-ring derivatives can exhibit nematic phases over a wide temperature range (≤80°C), sometimes starting below room temperature (T _m≈10°C). Comparisons with the corresponding derivatives incorporating either just an oxygen atom or just a carbon-carbon double bond in the same position indicate that synergetic effects lead to broader nematic phases than would otherwise have been expected. Thus many of the new methyl (E)-allyl ethers exhibit nematic phases over a wider temperature range than the corresponding materials with an unsubstituted alkyl chain attached to the cyclohexyl ring. The new compounds are easily prepared from known starting materials. Many intermediates are themselves liquid crystalline. This allows investigation of the relationship between liquid crystal transition temperatures and the nature of the terminally substituted alkyl chain (for example, incorporating C[dbnd]C, OH, CO₂C₂H₅ and OCH₃ groups).     

Synthesis and structure of lateral halogenated V-shaped liquid crystal molecules based on a 1,7-naphthalene central core and alkylthio tails

A series of small angle bent-core (V-shaped) mesogens carrying 1,7-naphthalene as a central core linked with lateral halogenated (chlorinated or fluorinated) Schiff-base side wings and alkylthio terminal tails of variable carbon number (n = 12, 16) was synthesised in order to reduce the transition temperature and improve the phase stability of bent-core liquid crystal molecules. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarising optical microscopy (POM), small-angle X-ray scattering system (SAXS) and two-dimensional X-ray diffractometer were applied to ascertain the mesomorphic structure and phase transition temperatures of the compounds. The results confirm that all the molecules show thermotropic liquid crystalline behaviour and exhibit hexagonal columnar phase (Col_h) in a certain temperature range. Compared with the homologous compounds without lateral halogen, the cleaning point temperature of lateral halogenated V-shaped compounds generally decrease and the Col_h phase ranges are more extensive. The influence of lateral chlorine on the cleaning point temperature is more obvious, as well as the effect of lateral fluorine on the range of Col_h phase.     

Trimeric liquid crystals containing lateral alkyl chains

Abstract

The first twelve members of the n-alkyl 2,5-bis-(4′-cyanobiphenyloxybutyloxy)-benozates have been prepared. The compounds are nematogenic; in addition the first three members exhibit a smectic A phase. The nematic-isotropic transition temperatures decrease with little or no alternation on increasing the number of methylene groups in the lateral chain; this is analogous to the behaviour found in monomeric and polymeric mesogens possessing lateral alkyl chains.