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.     

Synthesis and mesomorphism study of star‐shaped carbohydrate liquid crystals containing glucosyl and glutamyl residues

A series of novel star‐shaped carbohydrate derivative liquid crystals was synthesized with glucose as the chiral core structure. Glutamyl mesogenic moieties, l‐R‐{n‐[4‐(cholesteryloxycarbonyl)benzoyloxy]alkoxy}glutamic acid, were introduced to the five hydroxy groups of glucose by direct esterification. The chemical structures of the target liquid crystalline compounds were confirmed by element analysis and Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The mesomorphic behaviour and thermal properties of target liquid crystalline compounds were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, polarizing optical microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and specific rotation. All the target compounds exhibit a cholesteric liquid crystalline phase. These compounds demonstrate a wide mesogenic region and high thermal stability. The effect of flexible spacer group length of the target compounds on the molecular structure and thermal properties is discussed.     

Synthesis,characterization and coating applications of liquid crystalline acrylic copolymers

The synthesis and characterization of the coating properties of liquid crystalline acrylic copolymers containing p -hydroxybenzoic acid as mesogenic group are described. The synthetic method involves the grafting of p-hydroxybenzoic acid onto acrylic copolymers, confirmed by characterization with IR and ¹H NMR techniques. The presence of liquid crystal was assessed by observing optical textures under the polarizing microscope and by DSC and TGA. The coating properties such as flexibility, hardness, adhesion, drying time, viscosity, etc. of acrylic copolymers as well as of liquid crystalline acrylic copolymers were studied. The results showed that LC polymers have potential for coating applications.     

Callimatic and T-shaped liquid crystalline compounds with fluorinated terminal groups

A series of liquid crystalline polyesters with a rigid T-shaped or a stick-like mesogenic fragment and fluorinated terminal groups of various structures was synthesized and studied by means of polarization optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. It was shown that the effect of the fluorinated group on the thermostability of the mesophase depends on the shape of the mesogenic fragment. The thermostability of the mesophase in callimatic liquid crystalline compounds with perfluorinated terminal groups is higher and in those with difluoromethyl terminal groups containing one hydrogen atom is lower compared with their alkyl analogs. This is connected with the possibility of weak hydrogen bonding that destroys the liquid crystalline order. The thermostability of the mesophase in compounds with a T-shaped mesogenic fragment and any fluorinated terminal groups is always higher compared with their alkyl analogs.     

Comparison of Analytical Properties of Two Liquid Crystalline Stationary Phases by Capillary GC

Two related novel liquid crystals used as gas chromatographic stationary phases were evaluated for their analytical properties and separation capabilities, 2-(1-ethyloctyloxy)-4-(4′-(4-butoxybenzoyloxy)-benzoyloxy)-4′-ethyl-azobenzene (LCC) and azo-(4-ethylbenzyl)-3-(2-(1-ethyloctyloxy)-4-(4-(4-butyloxybenzoyloxy)benzoyloxy)pyridino (LCN). The thermal properties of LCC and LCN were established with differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing microscopy. The comparative study of the retention behavior for the both liquid crystals was also reported. The study of the chromatographic performance of a column coated with liquid crystals in the solid, nematic and liquid state was done using a series of appropriate solutes. The mesogenic compounds exhibit interesting separation for some positional and geometrical isomers in aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, volatile aromatic compounds and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.     

Dipole architecture of molecules and mesomorphic behavior of liquid crystals with rigid <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>-shaped mesogenic fragment

A number of liquid crystalline polyesters having a rigid T-shaped mesogenic fragment and differing in dipole architecture were synthesized and examined by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the mesophase in the given series of compounds was shown to increase with extension of arms in the T-shaped mesogenic fragment, as well as on replacement of the terminal ester groups (COOAlk) therein by ether moieties (OAlk). Such replacement also enhances smectogenic properties.     

含胆固醇和 4-(反式-正烷基环己基)苯甲酸结构单元的双液晶基元液晶化合物的合成及其性质

本文合成了一系列含有胆固醇和4-（反式-正烷基环己基）苯甲酸结构单元的新型双液晶基元液晶化合物。这些化合物中两个介晶基元是利用不同长度的氧烷酰基连接在一起。利用FT-IR、MS、1H NMR、POM、DSC 表证了所得化合物的结构和介晶性,并选择几种双液晶基元液晶测定了它们的机械黏度和在主体液晶中的螺旋扭曲力（HTP)。结果表明,绝大多数化合物显示较低相变温度的胆甾相（N*）,并且被选择的化合物的平均机械黏度和螺旋扭曲力类似于或优于胆甾醇任酸酯。     

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography of Derivatives Involved in the Terminal Steps of Tetracycline Biosynthesis in Streptomyces Aureofaciens

Abstract

A simple and reproducible method was developed for the analysis of tetracycline derivatives involved in the last two steps of tetracycline biosynthetic pathway in Streptomyces aureofaciens. The method is based on a gradient liquid chromatographic separation of the compounds using a microbore octadecyl silica column. Beside separation of a mixture of standards, the method was used for separation, detection and quantitation of dehydrotetracycline and tetracycline prepared enzymatically in vitro using anhydrotetracycline oxygenase and tetracycline dehydrogenase, respectively, isolated from S. aureofaciens. The method permits a simple and accurate characterization of kinetics of corresponding enzymatic activities.     

Thermotropic and optical behaviour of new PDLC systems based on a polysulfone matrix and a cyanoazomethine liquid crystal

The thermotropic and optical characterisations of a novel polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) system based on polysulfone UDEL P-1700 as polymer matrix and a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound containing a mesogenic azomethine core and a cyano-substituent were investigated. The PDLC samples were prepared by solvent-induced phase separation (SIPS) and thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) methods using various compositions in the two components. Information on the morphology and phase structure was obtained by polarising optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction measurements. PDLC systems with well-defined droplets were obtained for the composite with medium content of liquid crystal compound. The optical characterisation of these materials was performed by analysing their UV–visible absorption and photoluminescence emission as a function of the liquid crystal aggregation degree.     

Synthesis and properties of two new series of isomeric liquid crystalline polyesters with conjugated double bonds

Two homologous series of flexible main chain liquid crystalline polyesters with isomeric mesogenic groups containing conjugated double bonds, were synthesized and studied by differential scanning calorimetry and optical microscopy. One series (S1) has the p-phenylene-diacryloyloxydibenzoyl moiety as a mesogenic unit. The other (S2) has the terephtaloyl dioxydicinnamoyl moiety as a mesogenic unit. The reactivity of the conjugated double bonds of the p-phenylenediacryloxy unit, at the temperature of mesophase formation, impedes the stability of liquid crystalline mesophases of polymers of series (S1). Two low molecular weight analogues of polymers were also prepared and their properties compared with those of polymers of similar structure. The two model compounds form stable smectic mesophases over a wide range of temperatures, which shows the high mesomorphogenic ability of both mesogenic units.     

Analysis of small carbohydrates in several bioactive botanicals by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

Bioactive botanicals contain natural compounds with specific biological activity, such as antibacterial, antioxidant, immune stimulating, and taste improving. A full characterization of the chemical composition of these botanicals is frequently necessary. A study of small carbohydrates from the plant materials of 18 bioactive botanicals is further described. The study presents the identification of the carbohydrate using a gas chromatographic‐mass spectrometric analysis that allows detection of molecules as large as maltotetraose, after changing them into trimethylsilyl derivatives. A number of carbohydrates in the plant (fructose, glucose, mannose, sucrose, maltose, xylose, sorbitol, and myo‐, chiro‐, and scyllo‐inositols) were quantitated using a novel liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric technique. Both techniques involved new method developments. The gas chromatography with mass spectrometric analysis involved derivatization and separation on a Rxi^®‐5Sil MS column with H₂ as a carrier gas. The liquid chromatographic separation was obtained using a hydrophilic interaction type column, YMC‐PAC Polyamine II. The tandem mass spectrometer used an electrospray ionization source in multiple reaction monitoring positive ion mode with the detection of the adducts of the carbohydrates with Cs⁺ ions. The validated quantitative procedure showed excellent precision and accuracy allowing the analysis in a wide range of concentrations of the analytes.     

Studies on thermotropic main chain liquid crystalline segmented polyurethanes I. Synthesis and properties of polyurethanes from high aspect ratio mesogenic diol as chain extender

Thermotropic main chain liquid crystalline polyurethanes were prepared from 4-{[4-(6-hydroxyhexyloxy)phenylimino]methyl}benzoic acid 4-{[4-(6-hydroxyhexyloxy)phenylimino]methyl}phenyl ester (mesogenic diol) and 1,6-hexamethylene di-isocyanate. The effects of partial replacement of the mesogenic diol by 20-50 mol% of poly(tetramethylene oxide)glycol (PTMG) of varying molecular mass (M _n =650, 1000, 2000) on the liquid crystalline properties were studied. Structural characterization was carried out by FTIR spectroscopy and the molecular mass distribution was determined by GPC. Differential scanning calorimetry and hot stage polarizing optical microscopy were used to study the mesomorphic properties. It was observed that the partial replacement of the mesogenic diol by PTMG of varying molecular masses influenced the phase transitions and the occurrence of mesophase textures. When the molecular mass of PTMG was enhanced, a higher content of mesogenic agent was needed to obtain liquid crystalline properties.     

Synthesis and properties of chiral stilbene diacrylates

Two chiral and isomerizable liquid crystalline diacrylates were synthesized. The purpose of these compounds was to tune the helical twisting power of cholesteric materials containing these compounds by means of an E–Z photoisomerization of the photoactive group derived from stilbene. The photochemical behaviour of these compounds was studied with the aid of two model compounds containing the same isomerizable mesogenic group. The mesogenic group derived from 4-(4-hydroxybenzoyloxy)-4′-hydroxystilbene decomposes upon irradiation. Its isomer, derived from 4-(4-hydroxyphenoxycarbonyl)-4′-hydroxystilbene, shows a clean E–Zisomerization. The HTP of the chiral diacrylate derived from the latter mesogenic group changes from 7 to 3 μm^-1 in dilute nematic solution. Colour changes in a cholesteric material containing this compound were observed. The effect was very dependent on temperature and concentration due to the strong smectic character of this diacrylate.     

Controlling the Spatial Organization of Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticles by Composition of the Organic Grafting Layer

Understanding how the spatial ordering of liquid crystalline nanoparticles can be controlled by different factors is of great importance in the further development of their photonic applications. In this paper, we report a new key parameter to control the mesogenic behavior of gold nanoparticles modified by rodlike thiols. An efficient method to control the spatial arrangement of hybrid nanoparticles in a condensed state is developed by changing the composition of the mesogenic grafting layer on the surface of the nanoparticles. The composition can be tuned by different conditions of the ligand exchange reaction. The thermal and optical behavior of the mesogenic and promesogenic ligands were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and hot‐stage polarized optical microscopy. The chemical structure of the synthesized hybrid nanoparticles was characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), XPS, and elemental analysis, whereas the superstructures were examined by small‐angle X‐ray diffraction (SAXSRD) analysis. Structural studies showed that the organic sublayer made of mesogenic ligands is denser with an increasing the average ligand number, thereby separating the nanoparticles in the liquid crystalline phases, which changes the parameters of these phases.     

Caractérisation de résines phénol-formaldéhyde de type résol par HPLC et résonance magnétique nucléaire du proton et du carbone-13

Structure and elution order of the principal constituents of a phenol-formaldehyde resole have been achieved using separation by high-pressure liquid chromatography, followed by ¹H and ¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance study. In binuclear compounds, the bridges between two nuclei are constituted by methylene groups mainly at the para positions, or ortho-para, in the two phenolic functions. The phenolic nuclei are also substituted by methylol groups. A gas chromatographic study is added for analysis.     

Synthesis, characterization and thermal behaviour of ortho-metallated Pd(II) complexes containing N-benzoylthiourea derivatives

The synthesis and characterization (elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction) of the first ortho-metallated Pd(II) complexes containing N-benzoyl thiourea ligands are described. Four of these compounds showed liquid crystal properties which were investigated by mean of DSC and polarised light microscopy and their mesogenic properties are compared to those of ortho-metallated imine Pd(II) complexes with other types of co-ligands.     

Characterization of a poly(ethersulphone) by on-line coupling of size exclusion chromatography with NMR and FTIR spectroscopy

An on-line detection „on the flow”︁ during the size exclusion chromatography run using FTIR and NMR spectrometers was applied to investigate the liquid chromatographic separation process of oligomers and to identify the separated chromatographic compounds. The FTIR and NMR detectors give real-time information about the chemical structure and functional groups of the eluated species. The preferences and limits of the on-line coupling were discussed using an oligomeric hydroxyl terminated poly(ethersulphone) as an example. Molecular weights could be calculated from the ¹H-NMR spectra of the separated species using the intensities of end-group and main-chain signals. Residues of N-methylpyrrolidone which was used as solvent in the oligomer synthesis were identified by the FTIR detector.     

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.     

Simultaneous quantification of the major bile acids in Artificial Calculus bovis by high‐performance liquid chromatography with precolumn derivatization and its application in quality control

An accurate and sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography method coupled with ultralviolet detection and precolumn derivatization was developed for the simultaneous quantification of the major bile acids in Artificial Calculus bovis, including cholic acid, hyodeoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, and deoxycholic acid. The extraction, derivatization, chromatographic separation, and detection parameters were fully optimized. The samples were extracted with methanol by ultrasonic extraction. Then, 2‐bromine‐4’‐nitroacetophenone and 18‐crown ether‐6 were used for derivatization. The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent SB‐C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm id, 5 μm) at a column temperature of 30°C and liquid flow rate of 1.0 mL/min using water and methanol as the mobile phase with a gradient elution. The detection wavelength was 263 nm. The method was extensively validated by evaluating the linearity (r² ≥ 0.9980), recovery (94.24–98.91%), limits of detection (0.25–0.31 ng) and limits of quantification (0.83–1.02 ng). Seventeen samples were analyzed using the developed and validated method. Then, the amounts of bile acids were analyzed by hierarchical agglomerative clustering analysis and principal component analysis. The results of the chemometric analysis showed that the contents of these compounds reflect the intrinsic quality of artificial Calculus bovis, and two compounds (hyodeoxycholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid) were the most important markers for quality evaluating.