Novel radical compounds bearing mesogenic cores with long alkyl substituents

Series of aminoxyl radicals (TEMPO or nitronyl nitroxide radicals) bearing phenyl benzoate, troponoid, or biphenylcarbonitrile as mesogenic cores with long alkyl substituents were prepared. Although most aminoxyl radicals showed only weak antiferromagnetic interactions due probably to the remote spin centers as clarified by the X-ray analysis of 4a and no appreciable mesogenic phase was observed in each compound, an unusual magnetic transition from an original Curie-Weiss phase to another magnetic phase well-expressed by a singlet-triplet (ST) model was disclosed through the thermal transition in the 4'-undecyloxy-4-biphenylcarbonitrile derivative with oxocarbonyl-TEMPO 12b.     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structures of two polyphilic mesogenic compounds

Three homologous series of semi-perfluorinated liquid crystals: 4-(2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-butyloxycarbonyl)phenyl, 4-(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyloxycarbonyl)phenyl and 4-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctyloxycarbonyl)phenyl 4-[(n-perfluoroalkyl)alkyloxy]benzoates have been synthesized. Their mesomorphic properties were studied by DSC, microscopic observation and X-ray diffraction. Their layer spacings are smaller than the molecular length (L). The ratio d_SA/L is about 0.7. The crystal structure of two derivatives of the first family have also been investigated. In both structures the molecules pack in smectic C-like sheets where neighbouring molecules are antiparallel, interacting through dipolar and van der Waals forces. The interactions between contiguous sheets, through the ends of perfluorinated chains are very weak. The X-ray diffraction results on the mesophases and on the crystalline structures of two compounds of the first family are compared. From this, we propose a model of the smectic phases with a zig-zag structure.     

Synthesis of new ethynylene-containing aromatic polyamides by palladium-catalyzed polycondensation of aromatic diiodides with aromatic diethynyl compounds having amide units

New ethynylene-containing aromatic polymides were synthesized by the carbon–carbon crosscoupling polycondensation of aromatic diiodides with aromatic amide-bearing diethynyl compounds in the presence of a palladium catalyst, cuprous iodide, and an organic base. The polymers having sulfone linkages were soluble in various organic solvents and their weight average molecular weights were in the range of 12,500 and 26,500. The polymers with the highest inherent viscosity were obtained, when the monomer ratio of a diethynyl compound to a diiodide was 1.01. The polymers showed no detectable glass transition temperature and no weight loss up to around 300° C in nitrogen. The thermal crosslinking of the polymers occurred at 280°C through the existing internal ethynylene group. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

New mesogenic compounds having fork-like or cyclic amide terminal groups

Two homologous series of mesogenic materials with molecules containing an amide moiety, cyclic or symmetrically branched, as the terminal group have been synthesized. Materials of both series form lamellar liquid crystal phases. It was observed that elongation of the amide chains in 'fork-like' compounds destabilizes the mesophases, while 'cyclic' materials, even with quite large terminal amide rings, exhibit enantiotropic liquid crystalline phases.     

Synthesis and liquid crystal properties of bipyridine-containing aromatic polyamides

A series of novel aromatic polyamides containing 2,2′-bipyridine moiety were synthesized by polycondensation of 2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-dicarboxylic acid ( 2 ) with various aromatic diamines in hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) containing lithium chloride. The resulting polyamide solutions in 98% sulfuric acid and in HMPA-LiCl exhibited lyotropic liquid crystal phases. The phase transition behaviors were studied by polarizing microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The polyamides also formed metal complexes with cis-dichlorobis(bipyridine)ruthenium dihydrate [cis-Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂ · 2H₂O] which was supported by changes in electronic spectra.     

Synthesis of novel low-viscosity liquid epoxidized aromatic hyperbranched polymers

Low-viscosity liquid epoxidized aromatic hyperbranched polymers are synthesized by the reaction between epichlorohydrin (ECH) and carboxy-end hyperbranched polymers prepared from low-cost products trimellitic anhydride (B₃ TMA) and dihydroxy alcohols (A₂). The low-viscosity property, especially the lowest viscosity of epoxidized aromatic hyperbranched polymers is only 350 cp which has not reported among epoxidized aromatic hyperbranched polymers before, make them can be used to coatings and adhesion fields without organic solvent hopefully. The properties of the epoxidized aromatic hyperbranched polymers are measured by GPC, FT-IR and viscometer.     

Optical behaviour of photoimageable cholesteric liquid crystal cells with various novel chiral compounds

In theory, both polarity and steric hindrance are basic factors which affect molecular interactions. To investigate the optical properties and steric structures of chiral compounds having different chiral moieties which affect the wavelength of light reflection in liquid crystal (LC) cells, a series of novel chiral compounds and azobenzene derivatives were synthesized. The liquid crystalline phases of the compounds were identified using small angle X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. Cholesteric LC cells with various synthesized chiral dopants which selectively reflect visible light were first prepared, the photochemical switching behaviour of colours was then investigated, with special reference to the change in transmittance in cholesteric LC cells containing an azobenzene derivative as a photoisomerizable guest molecule. Reversible isomerization of azobenzene molecules occurred in the cholesteric systems, resulting in a depression of T _ChI and a shift of the selectively reflected wavelength. We discuss the photochemically driven change in the helical pitch of the cholesteric LCs with respect to structural effects involving the chiral moieties. Molecular interactions caused by the added dopants, reliability and stability of the photoisomerization, and UV irradiation effects on the cholesteric LC cells were also investigated. A real image was recorded through a mask on a cholesteric LC cell fabricated in this investigation.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel liquid crystal series with tribenzoate cores and monofluoro-substitution on the phenyl ring near the chiral chain

Two new chiral series, with benzoate cores and monofluoro-substitution in positions 2 and 3 of the first phenyl ring near the chiral chain, have been synthesized and characterized. The mesomorphic properties have been analysed by optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and electro-optical measurements. The first series (I_c) displays a very rich polymorphism including SmA, SmC*_α, SmC*, SmC*_FI, SmC*_A phases, whereas the second (I_b) does not exhibit the SmC*_A phase, and moreover only displays the SmA phase for short alkoxy chains. The effect of the position of the fluoro substituent and the influence of the alkoxy chain length on the mesomorphic behaviour are discussed.     

Synthesis of novel hyperbranched polyimide for liquid crystal alignment

A novel hyperbranched polyimide (HPPI) was synthesized from a new four‐functional amine and 1,2,3,4‐cyclobutanetetracarboxylic dianhydride. The polyimide with hyperbranched structure exhibited excellent alignment for nematic liquid crystal (LC) compared with traditional linear polyimides. The solution viscosities of the poly(amic acids) (PAAs) and the surface morphology of PI films were investigated using an Ubbelhode‐type viscometer and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The viscosities of the hyperbranched PAAs were much lower than that of the linear PAA solution at any monomer ratio (amine:dianhydride). Pretilt angles of LCs above 2.8° were achieved with HPPI.     

Optical behaviour of photoimageable cholesteric liquid crystal cells with various novel chiral compounds

In theory, both polarity and steric hindrance are basic factors which affect molecular interactions. To investigate the optical properties and steric structures of chiral compounds having different chiral moieties which affect the wavelength of light reflection in liquid crystal (LC) cells, a series of novel chiral compounds and azobenzene derivatives were synthesized. The liquid crystalline phases of the compounds were identified using small angle X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. Cholesteric LC cells with various synthesized chiral dopants which selectively reflect visible light were first prepared, the photochemical switching behaviour of colours was then investigated, with special reference to the change in transmittance in cholesteric LC cells containing an azobenzene derivative as a photoisomerizable guest molecule. Reversible isomerization of azobenzene molecules occurred in the cholesteric systems, resulting in a depression of T_ChI and a shift of the selectively reflected wavelength. We discuss the photochemically driven change in the helical pitch of the cholesteric LCs with respect to structural effects involving the chiral moieties. Molecular interactions caused by the added dopants, reliability and stability of the photoisomerization, and UV irradiation effects on the cholesteric LC cells were also investigated. A real image was recorded through a mask on a cholesteric LC cell fabricated in this investigation.     

New chlorine-substituted ferroelectric liquid crystals with four aromatic rings in the mesogenic core

New series of liquid crystals with an alkyl-lactate chiral chain and four aromatic rings in the mesogenic core and chloro-substitution were synthesized. For all the compounds studied, SmA and SmC* phases, existing over very broad temperature ranges, were detected and characterized. Mesomorphic properties were analysed with respect to the lengths of the chiral and/or non-chiral chains.     

New chlorine-substituted ferroelectric liquid crystals with four aromatic rings in the mesogenic core

New series of liquid crystals with an alkyl-lactate chiral chain and four aromatic rings in the mesogenic core and chloro-substitution were synthesized. For all the compounds studied, SmA and SmC* phases, existing over very broad temperature ranges, were detected and characterized. Mesomorphic properties were analysed with respect to the lengths of the chiral and/or non-chiral chains.     

Synthesis and mesogenic properties of azo-dye liquid crystals

Azo-dye liquid crystals with strong amino electro-donating and moderately flexible carboxylate electron-withdrawing groups were synthesized, and their mesogenic properties were studied.     

Synthesis and crosslinking of polyethers that have mesogenic cores and propargyl groups

We modified poly(epichlorohydrin) (PECH) with biphenyl carboxylic and naphthalene carboxylic acid derivatives which contains propargyloxy moieties. The linear polymers were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, DSC and TGA. We obtained only one side chain liquid crystalline. A smectic A mesophase of this biphenyl derivative was identified by DSC, light polarized optical microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Thermal crosslinking of the aryl propargyl ether group via sigmatropic rearrangement took place while the material was in the isotropic phase. Partially curing this reactive liquid crystalline polymer resulted in the formation of an anisotropic elastomer when the curing was radically initiated in the range of mesophase stability. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3883–3892, 2002     

低相变温度卟啉液晶的合成与表征

合成了4个系列的8种对脂肪酰氧基苯基卟啉化合物。通过紫外-可见光谱、红外光声光谱、元素分析、核磁共振氢谱和质谱等分析手段进行了表征,并用DSC和偏光显微镜研究了它们的液晶行为。     

Synthesis of functionalized polycyclic compounds via a novel aromatic oxy-Cope rearrangement

Polycyclic compounds have been prepared by aromatic dianionic oxy-Cope rearrangements involving the π bonds of two phenyl rings in a [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement.     

Cholesterol-containing liquid crystal dimers with ether linkages between the spacer and mesogenic units

Three series of chiral liquid crystalline dimers were investigated, having a cholesteryl and a cyanobiphenylyl, butoxybiphenylyl or hexyloxybiphenylyl group connected to a variable alkyl spacer through ether linkages. Their properties were compared with those of the corresponding ester derivatives. The phase behaviour of compounds with ether and ester linkages is comparable, showing N* and SmA phases. The melting points of the compounds with ether linkages are in the same range as those of the ester compounds, but the liquid crystal transition temperatures are lower. The smectic layer spacings and smectic ordering properties are also similar. The cyanobiphenylyl compounds have an interdigitated SmA layer structure, which shows a small odd–even effect with spacer parity. The alkoxybiphenylyl compounds have a monolayer SmA phase for short spacers and an intercalated SmA phase for longer spacers. The selective reflection wavelengths of the chiral nematic phase of the ether compounds are lower than those of the corresponding ester compounds. The transition from N* to interdigitated or monolayer SmA is accompanied by a strong increase in the selective reflection wavelength, indicative of an intermediate TGB phase. This is absent for the transition from N* to intercalated SmA.     

Cholesterol-containing liquid crystal dimers with ether linkages between the spacer and mesogenic units

Three series of chiral liquid crystalline dimers were investigated, having a cholesteryl and a cyanobiphenylyl, butoxybiphenylyl or hexyloxybiphenylyl group connected to a variable alkyl spacer through ether linkages. Their properties were compared with those of the corresponding ester derivatives. The phase behaviour of compounds with ether and ester linkages is comparable, showing N* and SmA phases. The melting points of the compounds with ether linkages are in the same range as those of the ester compounds, but the liquid crystal transition temperatures are lower. The smectic layer spacings and smectic ordering properties are also similar. The cyanobiphenylyl compounds have an interdigitated SmA layer structure, which shows a small odd-even effect with spacer parity. The alkoxybiphenylyl compounds have a monolayer SmA phase for short spacers and an intercalated SmA phase for longer spacers. The selective reflection wavelengths of the chiral nematic phase of the ether compounds are lower than those of the corresponding ester compounds. The transition from N* to interdigitated or monolayer SmA is accompanied by a strong increase in the selective reflection wavelength, indicative of an intermediate TGB phase. This is absent for the transition from N* to intercalated SmA.     

Latticelike smectic liquid crystal phase in a rigid-rod helical polyisocyanide with mesogenic pendants

We report a unique macromolecule consisting of a rodlike helical polyisocyanide backbone with a narrow molecular weight distribution and rigid mesogenic chiral pendants linked via a flexible spacer that exhibits lyotropic nematic and latticelike new smectic (lat-Sm) liquid crystal phases at different concentrations. The unprecedented lat-Sm phase is associated with the smectic ordering of both the stiff polymer backbone and the rigid-rod side groups. A detailed investigation of the films using X-ray scattering and atomic force microscopy revealed a novel tilted smectic layer structure of the polymer backbone aligned perpendicular to the smectic layer of the mesogenic pendants, which arrange in an antiparallel overlapping interdigitated manner.     

Optical noise and dynamical properties of liquid crystal comb polymers with different mesogenic groups

The light scattered by a comb polymer with a polyacrylamide main chain and biphenyl-based mesogenic units containing the substituent R CN in the biphenyl core is characterized by a stationary noise which has been measured between 70 C and 140 C in the frequency interval 5 10 - 2 nu 10Hz. This optical noise is analysed by means of a specific procedure introduced to clarify the role of random movements of segments of the main chains on the side chain fluctuations. The RMS amplitude of the random molecular movements, the relaxation times of the side chain and main chain fluctuations, and the damping coefficients governing their motion are investigated as functions of temperature. The results are compared with those recently obtained on a similar polymer characterized by R H. Common features and differences are brought into evidence and discussed in terms of the different mesophase structures exhibited by the two polymers in the temperature interval considered.