Photochromic chiral liquid crystalline systems containing spiro-oxazine with a chiral substituent I. Synthesis and characterization of compounds

Photochromic acrylates containing both biphenylene and spiro-oxazine moieties with a chiral substituent and the related polymers were prepared and yielded photochromic chiral liquid crystalline systems. The photochromic acrylates containing both an undecamethylene group and a (2S, 3S)-2-chloro-3-methylpentanoyloxy group (A11SOP) or a (-)-menthoxyacetoxy group (A11SOM) gave a supercooled mesophase; the latter reflected right-handed visible light (blue colour) at room temperature. On the other hand, the photochromic acrylate containing both the (R)-(-)-2-methylpropylene and (2S, 3S)-2-chloro-3-methylpentanoyloxy groups (A3SOP) showed no mesophase. The related homopolymers, PA11SOP and PA11SOM, did not exhibit mesophases because of steric hindrance between the side groups of the polymers. However, only PA11SOM exhibited shear-induced birefringence under 100-104°C. Several copolymers consisting of the nematogenic monomer, 4-[4-(6-acryloyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyloxy]benzonitrile (A6CN), and A11SOP or A11SOM possessed a smectic phase due to reduction of the steric hindrance between the potentially smectogenic A11SOP or A11SOM moieties.     

Photochromic chiral liquid crystalline systems containing spiro-oxazine with a chiral substituent II. Photoinduced behaviour

The photoinduced behaviour of low molecular mass liquid crystalline (LC) systems doped with the chiral photochromic spiro-oxazine, 9'-{5-(-)-menthoxyacetoxy-1,3-dihydro-1,3,3-trimethylspiro[2H-indole-2,3'-[3H]naphth-[2,1 -b][1,4]oxazine]} 4-[11-(tetrahydro-2-pyranyloxy)undecyloxy]biphenyl-4'-carboxylate (THP11SOM) was observed by means of transmittance measurements at 21°C. The experimental results revealed that the ring-opened merocyanine form of THP11SOM resulting from the photochromism first disturbed the helical planar orientation of the LC molecules and then induced a new helical pitch. The magnitudes of both the disturbance in orientation of the LC molecules and the shift in the helical pitch were significantly influenced by the concentration of THP11SOM. The photoinduced behaviour was reversible due to the photochemical and thermal back reaction of the THP11SOM. In addition, the effect of UV light on the nematic-isotropic transition temperatures of the mixtures with or without a hindered amine light stabilizer was studied.     

Synthesis and characterization of polymerizable photochromic liquid crystals containing a spiro-oxazine group

Novel polymerizable photochromic liquid crystal materials containing either the 1,3-dihydro-1,3,3-trimethylspiro[2H-indole-2,3'-[3H]naphth[2,1-b][1,4]oxazine] group or the 1,3-dihydro-1,3,3-trimethylspiro[2H-indole-2,3'-[3H]pyrido[3,2-f][1,4]benzoxazine] group as the photochromic moiety, and the biphenylene unit as the mesogenic moiety, were synthesized. Thermal and physical properties of the compounds were examined using differential scanning calorimetry, optical polarizing microscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffractometry and UV-visible spectrophotometry. The photochromic compounds containing both photochromic and mesogenic moieties showed metastable mesophases; These tended to crystallize with time and on heating. The crystallization behaviours were strongly dependent on the structure of the terminal group of alkylene spacer and the position of the spiro-oxazine bound to the mesogen.     

Synthesis and characterization of chiral compounds containing cationic groups as chiral dopants in liquid crystals

Novel chiral molecules containing cationic groups, (N-[4-triethylammoniomethyl]-benzoyl ester)-ethyl lactate chloride and bi-(N-[4-triethylammoniomethyl]-benzoyl ester)-isosorbide chloride, were designed and synthesized. Chemical structures of the molecules were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and (1)H NMR. The photochemical properties of the chiral compounds and their textures in nematic liquid crystals (LCs) were investigated by optical rotation, circular dichroism (CD), and polarizing optical microscopy (POM). The novel chiral molecules exhibited good optical activity. The chiral compound based on a L-ethyl lactate chiral center had a left-handed configuration. The chiral compound based on an isosorbide chiral center had a right-handed configuration. The cationic polar groups did not affect the direction of optical rotation, but could effluence the molar rotation of chiral compounds. The mixtures with dopants showed oily streak textures. Doping of a nematic phase liquid crystal with the chiral molecules converted it to the cholesteric phase.     

Synthesis and characterization of side chain cholesteric liquid crystalline polymers containing isosorbide as a chiral centre

A series of new side chain cholesteric liquid crystalline polysiloxanes was synthesized by grafting copolymerization of a mesogenic monomer (M₁) and a chiral monomer (M₂). The chemical structures of the monomers and polymers obtained were confirmed by FTIR, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The influence of the content of the chiral unit on phase behaviour of the polymers is discussed. Monomer M₁ showed nematic and smectic phases on cooling. The polymers P₁ and P₂ showed a nematic phase, P₃-P₅ showed cholesteric Grandjean texture, and P₆ and P₇ exhibited smectic short-rod texture. The polymers containing more than 7.2 mol % and less than 28.6 mol % of the chrial unit showed an induced cholesteric phase. Experimental results demonstrated that the glass transition, melting and clearing temperatures decreased with increasing content of the chiral unit.     

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.     

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.     

Synthesis and characterization of chiral smectic C liquid crystalline terpolysiloxanes

A number of tailor-made side chain liquid crystalline terpolysiloxanes, containing chiral cyanohydrin ester, phenyl pyrimidine and fluorinated phenylbenzoate as the side groups, have been synthesized for potential applications as ferroelectric liquid crystal polymers. All the polysiloxanes exhibit the mesomorphic sequence of crystal-chiral smectic C-smectic A-isotropic phases.     

Synthesis and characterization of new chiral liquid crystalline polyacrylates from L-isoleucine

The synthesis of chiral side chain liquid crystalline polyacrylates with a two-stereogenic centre from L-alpha-aminoacid is described. The chiral tail is 2-chloroalcohol obtained from L-isoleucine and the spacer group has either four or eleven methylene units. The mesogenic moiety is derived from phenyl benzoate. The stereochemistry of the key intermediate (2 S ,3 S )-(+)-4- [1-(2-chloro-3-methyl)pentyloxy]phenyl benzoate ( 6 ) obtained by a Mitsunobu reaction was established by single crystal X-ray analysis. This result indicates that the nucleophilic displacement of chiral diazonium salts proceeds with overall retention of configuration. The liquid crystalline behaviour of polyacrylates P 13 and P 14 was investigated by DSC, optical microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering and depolarized light scattering. The polyacrylate P 13 , with eleven methylene units in the spacer, exhibits a chiral smectic A phase whereas the polyacrylate P 14 , with a spacer containing four methylene units, displays a chiral nematic phase.     

Synthesis and characterization of new chiral liquid crystalline polyacrylates from L-isoleucine

The synthesis of chiral side chain liquid crystalline polyacrylates with a two-stereogenic centre from L-α-aminoacid is described. The chiral tail is 2-chloroalcohol obtained from L-isoleucine and the spacer group has either four or eleven methylene units. The mesogenic moiety is derived from phenyl benzoate. The stereochemistry of the key intermediate (2S,3S)-(+)-4- [1-(2-chloro-3-methyl)pentyloxy]phenyl benzoate (6) obtained by a Mitsunobu reaction was established by single crystal X-ray analysis. This result indicates that the nucleophilic displacement of chiral diazonium salts proceeds with overall retention of configuration. The liquid crystalline behaviour of polyacrylates P13 and P14 was investigated by DSC, optical microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering and depolarized light scattering. The polyacrylate P13, with eleven methylene units in the spacer, exhibits a chiral smectic A phase whereas the polyacrylate P14, with a spacer containing four methylene units, displays a chiral nematic phase.     

Synthesis and characterisation of chiral liquid crystalline elastomers containing four-arm crosslinking agent

A new series of side-chain chiral liquid crystalline elastomers derived from M₁ (cholest-5-3-ol(3β)-4-(2-propen-yloxy)]benzoate) and M_C(2,5-[3,5-bis(4-(3-(4-(allyloxy)phenyl)propanoyloxy)benzoyloxy)benzoic acid]isosorbide diester). The structures of monomers and elastomers measured by using Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra (¹H-NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) separately are consistent with our design. IIP~VIP all appeared blue Grandjean (GJ) texture on the heating cycle or cooling cycle. The glass sheets of IIP~VIP were made under 150°C and measured its ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry by PerkinElmer Lambda 950 instrument (Shelton, CT, USA). IIP~VIP all have absorptions at about 481~483 and 561~562 nm. The optical activities were measured at different temperatures on heating and cooling cycles. And the blue selective reflection of IIP~VIP on the round glass sheet can be seen. The elastomers containing less than 6 mol% of the crosslinking units displayed elasticity, reversible phase transition and high thermal stability. The glass transition temperatures reduced first and then increased, the isotropisation temperatures and the mesophase temperature ranges increased first and then decreased with increasing content of crosslinking unit. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that the temperatures at which 5% weight loss occurred (T_d) were greater than 310°C for all the polymers.     

Synthesis and characterization of liquid–crystalline polyesters with chiral and achiral twin spacers

A series of novel thermotropic main-chain chiral liquid–crystalline random copolyesters consisting of spacers of two different types—chiral and achiral—was synthesized. Polyesters (BmTa) with tartaric acid as the chiral spacer (Ta), aliphatic diols (with ‘m’ = 2–10 methylene groups) as the achiral spacers, and 4,4′-dihydroxy biphenyl (B) as the mesogen were synthesized via condensation polymerization in solution after duly protecting the 2,3-dihydroxy groups of tartaric acid by acetylation. The copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, gel permeation chromatography, and thermogravimetric analysis. Transition temperatures for phase changes recorded by DSC were corroborated with the textures observed by a hot-stage optical polarizing microscope. The wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) profiles indicated a SmE phase at room temperature. The lower angle region at 2θ = 0.5–2.45 covered by WAXD indicated a layer of thickness of 161 Å, less than the molecular length for B0Ta. The [α_D] values were recorded on a digital polarimeter. The birefringence was lost at higher mesophase temperatures in lower members with m < 5, a behavior found in certain chiral systems, and the higher members with m > 5 showed a lesser number of phase transitions. On cooling, the polyesters produced a texture with the formation of transition bars. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1743–1752, 2001     

Side-chain liquid crystalline polysiloxanes containing a cyanohydrin chiral centre

A number of new ferroelectric side chain liquid crystal homopolymers derived from poly(hydromethylsiloxane), their copolymers with different mesogens and with poly(dimethylsiloxane) backbones have been prepared. The transition temperatures of the monomers, homo and copolymers have been determined. The homopolymers exhibit S*_C and N* phases, while copolymers show only a S*_C phase. A measured spontaneous polarization value of monomer, 9b, is larger than 500 nC cm^-2.     

Synthesis and characterization of a series of side chain chiral smectic liquid crystalline elastomers

A series of new chiral smectic liquid crystalline elastomers was prepared by graft polymerization of a nematic monomer with a chiral and non-mesogenic crosslinking agent, using polymethylhydrosiloxane as backbone. The chemical structures of the monomers and polymers obtained were confirmed by FTIR and ¹H NMR. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Monomer M₁ showed a nematic phase during heating and cooling. Polymer P₀ exhibited a smectic B phase; elastomers P₁-P₃ showed the smectic A phase, P₄-P₆ showed a chiral smectic C(SmC*), and P₇ displayed stress-induced birefringence. Elastomers containing less than 15 mol % M₂ displayed elasticity, reversible phase transitions with wide mesophase temperature ranges, and high thermal stability. With increasing content of the crosslinking unit, glass transition temperatures first increased, then fell, then increased again; isotropization temperatures and mesophase temperature ranges steadily decreased.     

Synthesis and characterization of a series of side chain chiral smectic liquid crystalline elastomers

A series of new chiral smectic liquid crystalline elastomers was prepared by graft polymerization of a nematic monomer with a chiral and non‐mesogenic crosslinking agent, using polymethylhydrosiloxane as backbone. The chemical structures of the monomers and polymers obtained were confirmed by FTIR and ¹H NMR. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, polarizing optical microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Monomer M ₁ showed a nematic phase during heating and cooling. Polymer P ₀ exhibited a smectic B phase; elastomers P ₁–P ₃ showed the smectic A phase, P ₄–P ₆ showed a chiral smectic C(SmC*), and P ₇ displayed stress‐induced birefringence. Elastomers containing less than 15?mol?% M ₂ displayed elasticity, reversible phase transitions with wide mesophase temperature ranges, and high thermal stability. With increasing content of the crosslinking unit, glass transition temperatures first increased, then fell, then increased again; isotropization temperatures and mesophase temperature ranges steadily decreased.     

Synthesis and properties of novel ferroelectric liquid crystalline polyacetylenes containing terphenyl mesogens with chiral groups

Abstract  

Novel ferroelectric liquid crystalline (FLC) polyacetylenes, namely, “side-end-fixed” type of PAM ₆ OTPhOR* and “side-on-fixed” type of PAM ₃ OCO(TPh)OR* were designed and synthesized in high yields (89.3 and 62.0%), respectively, where the terphenyl was linked at the different positions. The thermal stability of PAM ₃ OCO(TPh)OR* is better than PAM ₆ OTPhOR* owing to the “jacket effect” from terphenyl pendant linked at the waist position well protecting the main chain from the perturbations. The PAM ₃ OCO(TPh)OR* shows enantiotropic chiral smectic A phase (SmA*), but it is noteworthy that the PAM ₆ OTPhOR* exhibits enantiotropic chiral smectic C phase (SmC*) responsible for ferroelectric liquid crystallinity. Compared to “side-end-fixed” type of polymer, the “side-on-fixed” type shows better light emitting property, ascribed to the mesogen linked at the waist position has stronger tendency to enhance the main-chain coplanarity. Furthermore, the circular dichroism (CD) spectra demonstrate that the asymmetric force field generated by the chiral center affects the secondary structure of PAM ₃ OCO(TPh)OR*.     

Synthesis and properties of side-chain liquid crystalline polymers grafted with chiral dimers containing cholesteryl groups

ABSTRACT

Two series of novel side-chain liquid crystal (LC) polysiloxanes grafted with chiral liquid crystalline dimers containing cholesteryl mesogens were synthesised. The chemical structure and LC properties of comonomers and polymers were characterised by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, DSC, TGA, POM and XRD. M₁ and M₂ were chiral nematic (N*) dimers, and M₃ was an achiral LC monomer displaying nematic mesophase in a narrow mesomorphic temperature range, while the copolymers exhibited N* mesophase whose mesomorphic temperature ranges were much wider than those of the comonomers. Moreover, the glass transition temperatures and isotropization temperatures of the polymers all decreased with decreasing the dimer components. Reflection spectra showed that P_a series tend to attain wide-band selective reflection at long wavelengths, while P_b series were more potential at short wavelengths with narrow bandwidths. Decreasing the dimer components led the wavelength of the selective reflection to blue shift, which was an abnormal phenomenon in chiral mixture system.     

Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline polysiloxanes containing benzyl ether mesogens

Side chain liquid crystalline polysiloxanes were synthesized by the hydrosilation of poly(methylhydrosiloxane) with p-(1-undecenyl-11-oxy) benzyl ethers of 4-cyanophenol (IM), 4-methoxyphenol (IIM), 4-cyano-4′-hydroxybiphenyl (IIIM), 4-methoxy-4′-hydroxybiphenyl (IVM), and 2-cyano-6-hydroxynaphthalene (VM). The phase behavior of both monomeric and polymeric liquid crystals was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and optical polarization microscopy. IM is a monotropic liquid crystal, IIM is crystalline, and IIIM and IVM are enantiotropic liquid crystals, whereas VM presents two virtual liquid crystalline transitions and crystalline polymorphism. All the synthesized polysiloxanes present enantiotropic smectic mesomorphism.     

Preparation and characterization of side chain cholesteric liquid crystalline polysiloxanes containing two chiral groups

A series of liquid crystalline (LC) polysiloxanes containing diosgeninyl and menthyl groups (from monomers M₁ and M₂, respectively) were synthesized. The chemical structures of the monomers and polymers obtained were confirmed by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton NMR and carbon-13 NMR. The LC properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, polarizing optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Monomer M₁ showed cholesteric oily-streak and spiral textures. Copolymers P₂-P₅ exhibited cholesteric phases. With increasing concentration of M₂ units, the glass transition and clearing temperatures decreased. Experimental results demonstrated that a flexible polymer backbone and a long flexible spacer tended to favour a lower glass transition temperature, higher thermal stability, and wider mesophase temperature range.