Synthesis,characterisation and liquid crystalline behaviour of some lanthanides complexes containing two azobenzene Schiff base

Schiff base ligand N,N′-di-(4-butylsalicylidene)-1′,3′-diaminopropane [H₂L] was synthesised by the reaction of substituted azobenzene and 1,3-diaminopropane in 2:1 molar ratio. Four mononuclear lanthanide complexes of the type [Ln(H₂L)LCl] (Ln = LaIII, CeIII, SmIII and GdIII) were synthesised and characterised by ¹H,¹³C NMR, fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis (CHNO), gas chromotography-mass, magnetic susceptibility and molar conductivity. Thermal properties of the title compounds were studied using the thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC) and optical polarising microscopy (OPM). The ligand and coordination compounds exhibit liquid-crystalline properties (smectic A).     

The liquid crystalline properties of some ferrocene‐containing Schiff bases

The synthesis and characterization of new ferrocene‐containing mesomorphous compounds is described. In order to induce mesogenic behavior, the structure of the substituent was systematically modified. Derivatives with no more than two rings in the core did not exhibit liquid crystalline properties. The synthesized products were characterized using NMR, IR and mass spectroscopy, DSC and polarized optical microscopy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals: Synthesis and Thermal Behavior of Optically Active,Three‐Ring Schiff Bases and Salicylaldimines

The chiral ferroelectric smectic C (SmC*) phase, characterized by a helical superstructure, has been well exploited in developing high‐resolution microdisplays that have been effectively employed in the fabrication of a wide varieties of portable devices. Although, an overwhelming number of optically active (chiral) liquid crystals (LCs) exhibiting a SmC* phase have been designed and synthesized, the search for new systems continues so as to realize mesogens capable of meeting technical necessities and specifications for their end‐use. In continuation of our research work in this direction, herein we report the design, synthesis, and thermal behavior of twenty new optically active, three‐ring calamitic LCs belonging to four series. The first two series comprise five pairs of enantiomeric Schiff bases whereas the other two series are composed of five pairs of enantiomeric salicylaldimines. In each pair of optical isomers, the configuration of a chiral center in one stereoisomer is opposite to that of the analogous center in the other isomer as they are derived from (3 S)‐3,7‐dimethyloctyloxy and (3 R)‐3,7‐dimethyloctyloxy tails. To probe the structure–property correlations in each series, the length of the n‐alkoxy tail situated at the other end of the mesogens has been varied from n‐octyloxy to n‐dodecyloxy. The measurement of optical activity of these chiral mesogens was carried out by recording their specific rotations. As expected, enantiomers rotate plane polarized light in the opposite direction but by the same magnitude. The thermal behavior of the compounds was established by using a combination of optical polarizing microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and powder X‐ray diffraction. These complementary techniques demonstrate the existence of the expected, thermodynamically stable, chiral smectic C (SmC*) LC phase besides blue phase I/II (BPI or BPII) and chiral nematic (N*) phase. However, as noted in our previous analogous study, the vast majority of the Schiff bases show an additional metastable, unfamiliar smectic (SmX) phase just below the SmC* phase. Notably, the SmC* phase persists over the temperature range ≈80–115 °C. Two mesogens chosen each from Schiff bases and salicylaldimines were investigated for their electrical switching behavior. The study reveals the ferroelectric switching characteristics of the SmC* phase featuring the spontaneous polarization (P_S) in the range 69–96 nC cm^?2. The helical twist sense of the SmC* phase as well as the N* phase formed by a pair of enantiomeric Schiff bases and salicylaldimines has been established with the help of circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic technique. As expected, the SmC* and the N* phase of a pair of enantiomers showed mirror image CD signals. Most importantly, the reversal of helical handedness from left to right and vice versa has been evidenced during the N* to SmC* phase transition, implying that the screw sense of the helical array of the N* phase and the SmC* phase of an enantiomer is opposite.     

Synthesis of new schiff base ester liquid crystals with a benzothiazole core

A series of new calamitic liquid crystals, 6-methoxy-2-(4-alkanoyloxybenzylidenamino)benzothiazoles, comprising a benzothiazole core, terminal methoxy group and a Schiff base linkage were synthesised and characterised. This series comprises 12 members wherein members differ by the length of the alkanoyloxy chain (C _n-1H_2n-1COO-, where n?=?2–8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18). Their mesomorphic properties were studied by using differential scanning calorimetry, optical polarising microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. The short chain derivatives (n?=?2 and 3) were non-mesogenic compounds, while an enantiotropic nematic phase was present throughout the remaining members of the series. The smectic C phase emerged from the decanoyloxy derivative onwards.     

Fabrication of conjugated polymeric nanochannels from star-shaped supramolecular liquid crystals containing two different photoreactive groups

New conjugated polymeric nanochannels were prepared via photopolymerisation and core extraction of star-shaped supramolecular liquid crystals formed by simple hydrogen bonding between a phloroglucinol core and pyridine derivatives containing two different photoreactive groups. The polymerisable supramolecular liquid crystal exhibited a discotic columnar mesophase. Photopolymerisation of supramolecular liquid crystalline monomer provided cross-linked conjugated polymeric columns in which the diacetylene and acrylate moieties were selectively polymerised along the vertical and horizontal axes, respectively. Chemical treatment of the cross-linked conjugated columns with sodium hydroxide resulted in the removal of the phloroglucinol core to produce the cross-linked conjugated polymeric nanochannels with an estimated effective pore diameter of about 1 nm. The controlled methodology in the present study can be used to design and fabricate conjugated nanoporous organic materials with intriguing ordered structures.     

Synthesis and mesomorphism of novel star-shaped glassy liquid crystals containing pentaerythritol esters

A new class of star-shaped glassy nematic liquid crystals based on pentaerythritol as a flexible core and ω-[4-(p-alkoxybenzoloxy)phenoxycarbonyl]valeric acid as the side-chain mesogenic arms has been prepared. Their structures and mesomorphism have been investigated in detail.     

Synthesis and characterisation of some new chalcone liquid crystals

A series of new chalcones with four aromatic rings is synthesised and characterised. The chemical structures of chalcones are evaluated by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques. The compounds were investigated for liquid crystalline properties using differential scanning calorimetry and polarising optical microscopy with hot stage. The results indicate that the formation of mesophase type is dependent on the alkyl chain length at one end of the molecule. Compounds 9a–d with relatively shorter chains show SmA and nematic mesophases, whereas 9e–g exhibit SmC and SmA mesophases. Compound 9h having a cyano group at one end, exhibit SmA and nematic mesophases.     

Synthesis of novel nematic liquid crystals containing 3,3'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl

Liquid-crystalline 3,3′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridyl derivatives with long 4-(alkoxyphenyl)ethynyl (-C≡C-C₆H₄-OR) groups in the 5,5′-positions were synthesized by palladium-catalysed crosscoupling reactions. The compounds exhibit exclusively nematic behaviour; for example, the hexyl derivative showed a nematic phase over the temperature range 145.2–205.0°C. On increasing the length of the terminal chain, the transition temperatures were lowered; for example, the hexadecyl derivative was nematic in the range 117.0–126.8°C.     

Synthesis and mesomorphism of novel multi-arm liquid crystals with cholic acid as chiral centre linking Schiff base moieties as mesogens

A new series of multi-arm chiral liquid crystals (LCs) D1–D3 were synthesised and characterised. Cholic acid was used as the core and ω-[4-(p-alkoxybenzoloxy)phenoxycarbonyl]valeric acid (B1–B3) was used as the mesogenic arms, containing different terminal substituent X (B1: X= -OCH₃, B2:X= -CH₃, B3: X= -Cl). Their structures and mesomorphic properties were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectrometer, differential scanning calorimetry, polarised optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The mesogenic B1–B3 displayed smectic B phase. The multi-arm LC D1 displayed cholesteric, while D2 and D3 exhibited nematic phase. The formation of cholesteric phase of D1 was affected by both the chiral core – the bulky cholic acid and the polarity of the terminal substituent of the mesogenic arm. That D1 displayed cholesteric phase but D2–D3 did not indicated that the stronger polarity of the terminal group OCH₃ of D1 played an important part in stabilising the cholesteric phase. The multi-arm LCs D1–D3 all showed ultraviolet activity. The wavelength of maximum absorption of D1–D3 was affected by the terminal substituent of the mesogenic arm.     

Preparation of conjugated polymeric columns with a hexagonal symmetry from star-shaped supramolecular liquid crystals

New conjugated polymeric columns with a hexagonal symmetry were prepared via topochemical polymerisation of star-shaped supramolecular liquid crystals formed by hydrogen bonding between a phloroglucinol core and pyridine derivatives containing a diacetylenic group in the alkyl chain. The mesomorphic properties of the supramolecular monomer and its photopolymerisation behaviour were investigated. The supramolecular liquid crystal exhibited a rectangular columnar mesophase. Photopolymerisation of supramolecular monomer along the column axis in the liquid crystalline state provided well-ordered conjugated polydiacetylenic columns with a two-dimensional hexagonal symmetry. Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy affirmed that conjugated polydiacetylenes were produced by 1,4-polymerisation of the supramolecular monomer along the column axis. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that a two-dimensional columnar order in the supramolecular monomer was maintained after photopolymerisation, and that the resulting polydiacetylene had a hexagonal array of conjugated columns. Our controlled methodology provides a new route to conjugated polymeric columns with highly ordered structures by self-assembly and polymerisation of star-shaped supramolecular liquid crystals.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel Schiff bases containing pyrimidine unit

The work involves synthesis of novel Schiff base derivatives containing a pyrimidine unit starting with chalcones. 4-Aminoacetophenone was reacted with 4-nitrobenzaldehyde or 4-chlorobenzaldehyde in basic medium giving chalcones, [I]_a and [I]_b, respectively, by Claisen-Schemidt reaction. The chalcones [I]_a and [I]_b were reacted with urea in HCl medium giving oxopyrimidines, [II]_a and [II]_b. They were also reacted with thiourea in basic medium to give thioxopyrimidines, [III]_a and [III]_b. The novel mono and bis Schiff bases, [VIII]_na, [VIII]_nb, [IX]_na, [IX]_nb, [X]_na, [X]_nb, [XI]_na, and [XI]_nb were synthesized by the reaction of pyrimidine derivatives; oxopyrimdines, [II]_a and [II]_b and thioxopyrimidines, [III]_a and [III]_b with 4-(4′-n-alkoxybenzoloxy)benzaldehyde [VI] and polymethylene-α,ω-bis-4-oxybenzaldehydes [VII]_m, respectively, in dry benzene using drops of glacial acetic acid as a catalyst. The synthesized compounds were characterized by melting points, elemental analysis, FTIR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and characterisation of novel isoxazole-based banana liquid crystals from naturally occurring curcumin

Isoxazole-based bent-core liquid crystals (LCs) derived from naturally occurring curcumin were synthesised and their LC properties were investigated by polarising optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction techniques. Five compounds, including a branched alkyl chain derivative, were prepared and characterised. These derivatives exhibit enantiotropic mesophases. While lower homologues display wide-temperature-range nematic phase, a longer-chain derivative 3d shows smectic C phase in addition to the nematic phase. The bent angle in these compounds is in between calamitic LCs and banana LCs. Therefore, the molecules escape from polar order packing observed in typical bent-core LCs. Increasing the length of alkyl chain reduces both melting and isotropic temperatures in the series. However, the compound with branched alkyl chains exhibits significant reduction in the nematic-isotropic temperature only. Detailed XRD experiments confirm the presence of the N phase in the lower homologues and SmC phase in a higher homologue.     

Synthesis of liquid crystal ferrocene derivatives and their complexes with Cu2+

A series of liquid crystal ferrocene-containing Schiff bases of general formula C₅H₅FeC₅H₄-C₆H₄-N=CN-(X)C₆H₃-O(O)-C₆H₄-OC_nH_2n+1 (X=H, OH, n=3–12) was obtained, together with several analogs, 1,1-bis-substituted at the ferrocene fragment, having a thermotropic nematic mesophases. Derivatives with X=OH were used to obtain Cu²⁺ chelate complexes, of which the compounds with n=10 and n=12 displayed nematic liquid crystalline properties.Physicotechnical Institute, Kazan Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 420083 Kazan. Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 402–407, February, 1992.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of four-ring liquid crystals containing cyclohexyl,phenyl and pyridyl units

Two series of chiral and achiral 4-[(3-n-alkoxycarbonylpyridyl)-6-ethynyl]phenyl 4-(trans-4-n-alkylcyclohexyl)benzoate liquid crystals have been synthesized. Their mesomorphic properties were observed and measured by polarizing optical microscopy and DSC. A broad chiral smectic C phase was observed when terminal chains contained a chiral centre.     

Triphenylene-based discotic liquid crystals: star-shaped oligomers and branched-chain polymers

Liquid crystalline main-chain polymers based on a repeat hexaalkoxytriphenylene moiety have previously been made by the reaction of dihydroxytetraalkoxytriphenylenes with α,ω-dibromoalkanes catalysed by caesium carbonate in N-methyl pyrrolidone. We now show that the molecular weights of these polymers can be increased by adding ?5 wt% of a tribromide (a 1,3,5-trialkoxybenzene or trialkoxymethylbenzene with three ω-bromoalkyl substituents) to the reaction mixture. Studies of model oligomer systems show that, provided the ω-bromoalkyl chains are long enough, the presence of these branching points should not affect the formation of the Col_h mesophase. Indeed, if ?5 wt% of the tribromide is used in the synthesis of the polymer, it remains liquid crystalline. However, if >20 wt% of the tribromide is used, introducing a high degree of branching and cross-linking, the liquid crystal behaviour disappears.     

Mesomorphic behavior of new benzothiazole liquid crystals having Schiff base linker and terminal methyl group

正A homologous series of heterocycles,6-methyl-2-(4-alkoxybenzylidenamino)benzothiazoles,were synthesized and characterized using FT-IR,~1H and ~(13)C NMR and mass spectrometric analysis.Enantiotropic nematic phase was observed for shorter members.Smectic A phase only emerged from octyloxy derivative onwards.The terminal methyl group at the benzothiazole fragment and the Schiff base linkage influenced the mesomorphic behavior of the present series.     

Heterocyclic benzoxazole-based liquid crystals:Synthesis and mesomorphic properties

New Schiff base liquid crystals containing benzoxazole core and alkanoyloxy chain at the end group of the molecules (C_n-1H_2n-1COO-,n=14,16,18) was synthesized.The present compounds are enantiotropic smectic A liquid crystals.It was also found that the end groups of the molecules and polar chloro substituent at the benzoxazole fragment had effect on the mesomorphic properties.     

Synthesis and physical properties of high birefringence phenylacetylene liquid crystals containing a cyclohexyl group

We have synthesized new phenylacetylene-based liquid crystals containing a cyclohexyl or cyclohexylethyl group and evaluated their physical properties in order to develop a range of materials having high value of birefringence. The cyclohexyl-containing compounds exhibited nematic behaviour near room temperature and moderate values of δn of around 0.3. The cyclohexylethyl-containing compounds had a very wide nematic range with a high T_NI and very high values of δn of over 0.4. They also exhibited low viscosities. The order parameter was not affected by introducing either a cyclohexyl or a cyclohexylethyl group and the values of δn based on calculated polarizabilities were obtained experimentally.     

New mesogenic Schiff base esters comprising benzothiazole moiety： Synthesis and mesomorphic properties

A homologous series of Schiff base esters,6-methoxy-2-(2-hydroxy-4-alkanoyloxybenzylidenamino)benzothiazoles,comprising a benzothiazole moiety as the core was synthesized.All the members of this series exhibited an enantiotropic nematic phase. The azomethine linkage along with the lateral hydroxyl and terminal methoxyl groups were found to exert an effect on the mesomorphic properties.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of new Schiff base esters with different alkyl chains

A new series of Schiff base esters,4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene-4'-alkanoyloxyanilines containing even number of carbons at the end group of the molecules(C_(n-1)H_(2n-1)COO,n = 6,8,10,12,14,16,18) were synthesized.The present compounds were monotropic liquid crystals.It was also found that the end groups of the molecules had effect on the mesomorphic properties.