Creation of a nematic phase in mixtures of smectic A1 phases

Abstract

Phase diagrams were determined for binary mixtures consisting of two 5-n-alkyl-2-(4'-isothiocyanatophenyl)-1,3-dioxane compounds (n-DBT) or 4'-isothio-cyanatophenyl 4-(trans-4'-n-decylcyclohexyl)benzoate and n-DBT. All compounds investigated have monolayer smectic A phases. A nematic phase in the upper temperature range and a nematic gap between two smectic regions also were observed, with the smectic layer spacing ratio, d/d', of 1.23 and 1.87 respectively. The variation of the enthalpy of transition with mixture composition in relation to changes of layer spacing ratio are also discussed for these systems.     

A new ellagic acid derivative from Polygonum runcinatum

A new ellagic acid derivative, 3,3′-dimethylellagic acid-4′-O-(6″-galloyl)-β-d-glucoside, named runcinatside (5), together with four known compounds 3,3′-dimethylellagic acid (1), 3,3′,4′-trimethylellagic acid (2), 3,3′-dimethylellagic acid-4′-O-β-d-glucoside (3) and 3-methylellagic acid-4′-O-α-l-rhamno-pyranoside (4), was isolated from the roots of Polygonum runcinatum Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don Var. sinense Hemsl and the structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic methods and comparison with previously reported data. All compounds showed antioxidant activities in vitro and compound 5 possessed the highest activity.     

Deuterium labelled liquid crystalline compounds

Abstract

The synthesis of 4-(2′-methylbutyl)phenyl4′n-heptylbiphenyl-4-carboxylate-d ₁₈(7BEF5-d ₁₈) is presented. The compound is intended to be used as a means of studying the collective modes of liquid crystals by the coherent inelastic neutron scattering technique. The 4′-n-heptylbiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid-d ₁₂, a liquid crystalline intermediate was prepared as well; its acid chloride was coupled with 4-(2′-methylbutyl)phenol-d ₆ to obtain the final product. The intermediates and final products were investigated by spectroscopic methods.     

Creation of nematic and reentrant nematic phases in bi- and multi-component smectic mixtures

Abstract

Experimental results referring to the transformation of smectic phases, mainly smectic A, into nematic and reentrant nematic phases are reviewed. A new explanation of some experimental results is proposed. Factors which are responsible for the depression of smectic phases in mixtures of polar mesogens are discussed and the possibility of forming mixtures with a broad temperature range of nematic phase from smectic compounds, which can be useful for liquid crystal displays (LCDs), is shown. A nematic gap observed in some cases between monolayer (S_A1) or monolayer and partially bilayer (S_Ad) smectics results from the differences in the organization of the molecules in the smectic layers. It is concluded that polar phase from smectic A₁ phases can be divided into two groups: (a) the first one is characteristic for compounds with the -NCS, -F, -CI, -I or ?COC _m H_{2m + 1} terminal group. The spacing of the smectic layer slowly expands with the increase in alkyl chain length and the structure of the smectic A₁ phase slowly changes to be more like the smectic A_d phase (d/1 > 1). It is proposed that such a smectic is called an enhanced monolayer smectic (S_A1e (b) the second one is typical for compounds with the -CN terminal group. This kind of smectic A₁ phase is rapidly transformed into the smectic A_d phase with increasing alkyl chain length. These latter monolayer mesogens easily form the reentrant nematic phase when they are mixed with other polar smectic mesogens.     

A nematic phase created in mixtures of polar smectics The effect of smectic layer properties

Phase diagrams of binary mixtures composed of compounds with the NCS terminal group (n-DBT, n-PBT, n-TPB (smectic A₁) or n-BT (smectic E₁)) and n-OCB, n-CB (smectics A_d) are presented. It is shown that the width of the nematic gap that separates the A₁ or E₁ phase region from the smectic A_d phase is related to the interaction energy of the molecules in the smectic layers and to the difference in the smectic layer spacings.     

Influence of the smectic A-nematic transitional order on the formation of the smectic phases of 4-n-hexyloxybenzylidene-4′-n-butyIaniline and 4-n-butyloxybenzylidene-4′-n-octyIaniline from an electrically deformed nematic phase

Abstract

The crucial role of the smectic A-nematic transitional order for the formation of the smectic A, B and G phases from an electrically deformed nematic phase of the liquid crystal 4-n-hexyloxy-benzylidene-4′-n-butylaniline (6O.4) with a typical smectic A-nematic first order transition and the formation of the smectic A and B phases from an electrically deformed nematic phase of the liquid crystal (4-n-butyloxy-benzylidene-4′-n-octylaniline (40.8) with a smectic A-nematic second order transition has been demonstrated. The nematic phase was deformed by an AC voltage of 2U,_th 5U _th and 10U _th, where U _th is the threshold voltage which causes the appearance of the Fréedericksz transition in the homeotropic nematic layer. The smectic textures have been observed on free cooling of the nematic phase or after the use of an oven. The smectic A phase of the liquid crystal 60.4 was observed with the formation of a clear smectic A-nematic phase boundary while the smectic A phase of the liquid crystal 40.8 has been formed from intermediate pretransitional stripes, observed by Cladis and Torza [1]. The homeotropic anchoring of the direction was crucial for the formation of the smectic phases of the liquid crystal 40.8 but not significant for the liquid crystal 60.4.     

Effect of including extra phenylazo moiety on the mesophase behaviour of three-ring azo/ester molecules

Five homologous series of the four-ring 4-substituted phenylazo phenyl 4?-(4?-alkoxy phenylazo) benzoates (In_a–e) were prepared and their mesophase behaviour investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and phases identified by polarised light microscopy (PLM). Compounds prepared were structurally characterised via infrared, ¹H-NMR, mass spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and elemental analysis. Transition temperatures were first correlated with the alkoxy-chain length (n, that varies between 6, 8, 10, 14, and 16 carbons) within each homologous series, and again with the polarisability anisotropy (Δα_X) of the Ar-X bond, where X changes between CH₃O, CH₃, H, Br, and CN groups . Comparative studies were made to investigate the effect of introducing the extra phenyl azo moiety into the previously investigated three-ring compounds, 4-substituted phenyl 4′-(4″-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (IIn_a–e), 4-substituted phenylazo 4′-(4″- alkoxy phenyl) benzoates (IIIn_a–e), and 4-(4′-alkoxy phenylazo) phenyl 4″-substituted benzoates (IVn_a–e), each bear the same polar group, X, and the alkoxy group, n .     

The synthesis and mesomorphic properties of 4-n-alkoxyphenyl 4-[(4-n-alkoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)ethyl]benzoates

4-n-Alkoxyphenyl4-[(4-n-alkoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)ethynyl]benzoates (compound A) are synthesised by a convenient method. These compounds exhibit only enantiotropic nematic phases and have very high clearing points. These compounds (As) can be transformed into corresponding ethane derivatives, via hydrogenation using a palladium catalyst (Pd/C), which exhibit monotropic nematic phases. The effect of the ethylene bridge (–CH₂CH₂–) on the mesomorphic behaviour is discussed.     

Azomesogens containing a β-chloroethyl terminal chain: synthesis and characterisation

In this paper, we present the synthesis and characterisation of two new mesogenic homologous series, β-chloroethyl 4-(4′-n-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (I) and the β-chloroethyl [4-(4′-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)phenylazo]-4”-benzoates (II), containing a terminal β-chloro ethyl chain. Series I was synthesised by alkylation of β-chloroethyl 4-(4′-hydroxy phenylazo) benzoate with an appropriate alkyl halide, whereas series II was synthesised by esterification of β-chloroethyl 4-(4′-hydroxyphenylazo) benzoate with an appropriate 4-n-alkoxybenzoic acid. The molecular structures of these new compounds of both the series were characterised by combination of element analysis and a standard spectroscopic method. The mesomorphic behaviour was studied mainly by use of a polarised microscope and, in some cases, differential scanning calorimeter as well. In series I, all nine members synthesised exhibited only an enantiotropic smectic A mesophase. In series II, all 12 homologues exhibited an enantiotropic nematic mesophase; a smectic A phase appeared in the n-octyloxy derivative as an enantiotropic phase and persisted through to the n-hexadecyloxy member. The mesomorphic properties of both series were compared with each other and also with the properties of other structurally related series to evaluate the effects of the β-chloroethyl tail on mesomorphism.     

First observation of aS C * -S A-TGBA multicritical point in a pure compound

High pressure experiments have been performed by thermobarometric analysis on two homologous (n=10 and 11) of the [3-fluoro-4((R) or (S)-methylheptyloxy) 4′-(4″-alkoxy-3″-fluorobenzoyloxy) tolans series, which both exhibit the TΓB_A phase. The character (first or/and second order) of the transitions involving the TGB_A phase are determined from thermobarograms. The pressure-temperature phase diagrams show that the TGB_A phase is stabilized under high pressure for the two compounds. Forn=11 an inducedS _A phase is observed under high pressures leading to the first experimental observation, on pressure-temperature phase diagram of pure compounds, of aS _C ^* -S _A-TGB_A multicritical point, previously predicted by the Renn-Lubensky theory.     

Molecular dynamics in the nematic,SA and SC phases of 8S5 and 9S5 as studied by dielectric methods

Abstract

Two experimental techniques—time domain spectroscopy (TDS) and a steady state frequency method—have been used to study dielectric spectra for the isotropic, nematic, S_A, S_C and S_Y phases of two thioesters (4-n-pentylphenyl-4′-n-octyloxy-and 4′-n-nonyloxythiobenzoates (C _n H_2n+1 O?C₆ H₄?COS?C₆H₄?C₅H₁₁, where n = 8 and n = 9) known as 8S5 and 9S5, in the frequency range from 10 Hz to 10 GHz. In the case of 8S5 a deuteriated sample (8S5-d ₂₈) has been used to study relaxation processes in the nematic and smectic phases.     

Effect of exchange of terminal substituents on the mesophase behaviour of some azo/ester compounds

Six homologous series of 4-(4′-alkoxy phenylazo) phenyl 4″-substituted benzoates (In_a-f) were prepared in which, within each homologous series, the length of the terminal alkoxy chain varies between 6, 8, 10, and 12 carbons, while the other terminal substituent, X, is a polar group that alternatively changed from CH₃O, CH₃, H, Br, NO₂ and CN. Compounds prepared were characterised by spectroscopic methods, and their mesophase behaviour investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarised optical microscopy (POM). The results were discussed in terms of mesomeric and polarisability effects. In each group of compounds, bearing the same alkoxy substituent, the nematic-to-isotropic transition temperatures (T_C) were successfully correlated with the polarisability anisotropy of bonds to the substituent X. A comparative study was made between the investigated compounds and their previously prepared isomers, namely, 4-(4′-substituted phenylazo) phenyl 4″-alkoxybenzoates (IIn_a-f) in which the two terminal (alkoxy- and X) groups are exchanged.     

Preparation and Structure of (E)-1-(3′-Hydroxy-2-Furanyl)-3-(3″-Hydroxy-4″-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Propen-1-One

Abstract

A facile procedure is presented for the synthesis of (E)-1-(3′-hydroxy-2′-furanyl)-3-(3″-hydroxy-4″-methoxyphenyl)-2- propen-1-one (6). Galactosylisomaltol (1) was condensed with isovanillin (2) under strong alkaline conditions at 25 [ddot]C to form (E)-1-(3′-O-β-D-galactopyranosyloxy-2′-furanyl)-3-(3″- hydroxy-4″-methoxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-one (4). (E)-1-(3′-hydroxy-2′-furanyl)-3-(3″-hydroxy-4″-methoxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-one (6) was obtained by acid hydrolysis of 4 in a 53.9% yield. This hetero-cyclic 2-propen-1-one was characterized on the basis of spectral data (IR and ¹H NMR), physicochemical properties, and conversion to a mono-O-acetyl derivative.     

A study of homologation and the occurrence of an SA-SC-SA sequence of phases in the 4-n-alkoxy-3-fluorophenyl 4-(5-n-alkyl-2-thienyl)benzoates

Abstract

Seventeen esters, derived from 4-n-alkoxy-3-fluorophenols and 4-(5-n-alkyl-2-thienyl)benzoic acids, have been prepared and their liquid crystal transition temperatures determined by thermal optical microscopy. On cooling the isotropic liquid, the S_A-S_C-S_A sequence of phases reported for the octyloxy-octyl and octyloxy-nonyl esters has been observed for certain other homologues, principally members of the 4-(5-n-nonyl-2-thienyl)benzoates. For these compounds, the temperature range of occurrence of the intermediate S_C phase decreases as the length of the alkoxy chain increases (for the hexyloxy-nonyl to dodecyloxy-nonyl esters) and the S_c phase is absent for the tetradecyloxy-nonyl homologue.     

Isolation,structural elucidation and cytotoxicity evaluation of a new pentahydroxy-pimarane diterpenoid along with other chemical constituents from Aerva lanata

Aervalanata possesses various useful medicinal and pharmaceutical activities. Phytochemical investigation of the plant has now led to the isolation of a new 2α,3α,15,16,19-pentahydroxy pimar-8(14)-ene diterpenoid (1) together with 12 other known compounds identified as β-sitosterol (2), β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside (3), canthin-6-one (4), 10-hydroxycanthin-6-one (aervine, 5), 10-methoxycanthin-6-one (methylaervine, 6), β-carboline-1-propionic acid (7), 1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3R,8E)-2-[(2′R)-2-hydroxylpalmitoylamino]-8-octadecene-1,3-diol (8), 1-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-(2S,3S,4R,8Z)-2-[(2′R)-2′-hydroxytetracosanoylamino]-8(Z)-octadene-1,3,4-triol (9), (2S,3S,4R,10E)-2-[(2′R)-2′-hydroxytetracosanoylamino]-10-octadecene-1,3,4-triol (10), 6′-O-(4″-hydroxy-trans-cinnamoyl)-kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (tribuloside, 11), 3-cinnamoyltribuloside (12) and sulfonoquinovosyldiacylglyceride (13). Among these, six compounds (8–13) are reported for the first time from this plant. Cytotoxicity evaluation of the compounds against five cancer cell lines (CHO, HepG2, HeLa, A-431 and MCF-7) shows promising IC₅₀ values for compounds 4, 6 and 12.     

Phenyl-cyclohexyl enaminoketone ligands and their Cu(II) complexes

Abstract

The liquid crystalline properties of 1-(alkylamino)-3-[(4″-hexyl-trans-cyclohexyl-4′-phenyl]-prop-1-en-3-one-s, from methyl to octadecyl, and their copper (II) complexes have been examined by optical, DSC, X-ray and EPR methods. The compounds are enantiotropic nematogens except those having the shortest and the longest terminal chains. Short chains promote the S_A phase in both ligands and complexes, whereas long chains promote S_C and crystal H phases for the ligands or S_A and S_C phases for the complexes. A partly bilayer smectic A_d phase is observed from ligands terminated with short non-polar substituents. Direct isotropisation from the crystal H phase for some of the compounds, as well as other phase transitions have been studied. The molecular shape of the complexes and the organization of their mesomorphic phases are discussed, based on the refractive indices and X-ray data.     

Isolation and identification of polyphenols from Marsilea quadrifolia with antioxidant properties in vitro and in vivo

Marsilea quadrifolia is an edible aquatic medicinal plant used as a traditional health food in Asia. Four new polyphenols including kaempferol 3-O-(2″-O-E-caffeoyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), kaempferol 3-O-(3″-O-E-caffeoyl)-α-l-arabinopyranoside (3), 4-methy-3′-hydroxypsilotinin (4) and (±)-(E)-4b-methoxy-3b,5b-dihydroxyscirpusin A (18) together with 14 known ones (2, 5–17) were isolated from the ethanol extract of M. quadrifolia. Structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses. In DPPH and oxygen radical absorbance capacity antioxidant assays, some compounds showed stronger antioxidant activities and quercetin (9) was the most potent antioxidant in both assays. In a restraint-induced oxidative stress model in mice, quercetin significantly attenuated the increase in plasma ALT and AST levels as well as liver MDA content of restrained mice. Liver SOD activity was also significantly increased by quercetin, indicating a significant in vivo antioxidant activity. As a rich source of polyphenols with strong antioxidant activities, M. quadrifolia may be developed to a product for relieving oxidative stress.     

X-ray diffraction study of the smectic mesophase of some azobenzene-containing polyacrylates

Abstract

An X-ray study is performed on powder specimens and on stretched oriented fibres of two liquid crystalline polyacrylates containing the azobenzene mesogenic unit with either a 4′-n-pentyloxy (sample 1–4) or 4′-n-hexyloxy (sample 1–5) substituent. The X-ray diffraction patterns of both samples showed the presence of a bilayer smectic C mesophase with the mesogneic groups tilted by an angle β ～ 45° (1–4) or β ～ 38° (1–5) with respect to the layer normal. The electron density profile p(z) along the direction normal to the smectic layers was calculated by Fourier inversion and possible structural models of the smectic mesophase are discussed. A partial interdigitation of the terminal alkyloxy substituents appears to occur.     

The effect of inversion of the ester group on the mesophase behaviour of some azo/ester compounds

Five homologous series of 4-substituted phenyl 4′-(4″-alkoxy phenylazo) benzoates (In_a–?e) were prepared in which, within each homologous series, the length of the terminal alkoxy group varies between 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 carbons, while the other terminal substituent, X, is a polar group that alternatively changed from CH₃O, CH₃, H, Br, and CN groups. Compounds prepared were characterised by infrared, mass, and H¹-NMR spectroscopy and their mesophase behaviour investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarised light microscopy (PLM). The results were discussed in terms of mesomeric and polarisability effects. Only for the lower group of compounds, I8_a-e, that showed a nematic phase, the nematic-to-isotropic transition temperatures (T_N–I) were successfully correlated to the polarisability anisotropy of bonds to the substituent X. A comparative study was made between the investigated compounds and two previously prepared isomeric groups. In the first group of isomers, 4-(4′alkoxy phenylazo) phenyl 4″-substituted benzoates (IIn_a–e), the ester groups are inverted. While in the second, 4-(4′-substituted phenylazo) phenyl 4″-alkoxy benzoates (IIIn_a–e), two modifications were made, inversion of the COO group, and exchange of the two wing substituents     

Flavonoids of Alcea rosea L. and their immune stimulant,antioxidant and cytotoxic activities on hepatocellular carcinoma HepG-2 cell line

Alcea rosea L. is widely cultivated in gardens of Egypt as an ornamental plant and it has a great history of folkloric medicinal uses. In the present work, phytochemical investigation of the alcoholic extract of the flowers of A. rosea L. led to the isolation of six flavonoids (1–6). Dihydrokaempferol-4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), dihydrokaempferol (2), kaempferol-3-O-[6″-(E-coumaroyl)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), kaempferol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), Apigenin (5) and kaempferol-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1′″→6″)-β-d-glucopyranoside (6). Four of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant, immunostimulant and cytotoxic activities against HepG-2 cell line. Compound (3) showed potent cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 cell line with high selectivity towards hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro (with IC₅₀ = 3.8 μg/mL). Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited significant antioxidant activity and compound 4 showed a significant immune stimulant activity. Compound 1 is isolated for the first time from genus Alcea and this is the first report for its biological investigation.