Helical twisting power of chiral titanium complexes in nematic compounds

We report the use of chiral bis-chelated imine-alkoxytitanium complexes as dopants for the conversion of a nematic into a cholesteric phase. High helical twisting power (HTP) is obtained in the liquid crystalline mixture ZLI-1695 (Merck, Darmstadt). Enlargement of the HTP is achieved by novel analogues of the titanium complexes, whose synthesis is described.     

Helical twisting power of chiral titanium complexes in nematic compounds

We report the use of chiral bis‐chelated imine‐alkoxytitanium complexes as dopants for the conversion of a nematic into a cholesteric phase. High helical twisting power (HTP) is obtained in the liquid crystalline mixture ZLI‐1695 (Merck, Darmstadt). Enlargement of the HTP is achieved by novel analogues of the titanium complexes, whose synthesis is described.     

On the parity in helical twisting power of Ru(III) 1,3-diketonates of C2 symmetry in nematic liquid crystals

It is demonstrated that the sign of helical twisting power (HTP) of an enantiomeric Ru(III) complex of type [Ru(acac)(2)L] can be switched by choosing L from either L(per) or L(para), which is elongated either perpendicular or parallel to the C(2) symmetry axis, and four states become available in combination with DeltaLambda-chirality of the metal center. Complexes 1-n, in which 4,4'-dialkoxylated dibenzoylmethanate ligands are used as L(per), and 2 having L(para) = 3-(4'-decyloxyphenyl)pentane-2,4-dionate ligand were prepared for this purpose. They were optically resolved into the enantiomers by means of a clay column chromatography, and their performance as chiral dopants was evaluated in nematic liquid crystals including a room-temperature system, N-methoxybenzylidene-4-n-butylaniline (MBBA), which allowed facile measurements of the helical pitch lengths and CD spectra in the induced chiral nematic states. The induced CD signals have provided a clear evidence for the helical inversion between the two structure types, 1 and 2, of the same chirality. The twisting power of these six-coordinate metal complexes and their structure versus twist sense correlations are interpreted by the shape model. Intrinsically high HTP of Delta-[Ru(acac)(2)L(per)] has also allowed for observation of the pitch band due to the selective reflection in the visible wavelength range at the doping level of 2 mol % in MBBA.     

Cholesteric induction power of β-galactose derivatives

Galactose derivatives were explored as chiral dopants, effective for inducing chiral nematic liquid crystal (LC) phases. Galactose bearing O-isopropylidene substituents at the C3 and C4 and butoxybiphenyl substituents at the C2 and C6 positions exhibits a high helical twisting power (HTP) value of ?74.4 μm^?1. Such a high HTP value for the galactose derivative is attributed to (1) linkage of the C3 and C4 carbons with the O-isopropylidene substituent, which places the C2 and C6 substitutes in a skew arrangement at a large angle and (2) enhancement of the affinity with the host nematic LCs by incorporating aromatic substituents at the C2 and C6 positions that are similar to those in the host.     

delta-[Ru(acac)(2)L] (L = a mesogenic derivative of bpy) as a novel chiral dopant for nematic liquid crystals with large helical twisting power

The helical twisting power of a chiral ruthenium complex Delta-[Ru(acac)2L], in which L (mesogenic ligand) and acac denote 5,5'-(4-octylphenyloxycarbonyl)-2,2'-bipyridyl and acetylacetonate, respectively, was determined to be betaM = -71 and -1.8 x 102 mum-1 in room-temperature nematics ZLI-1132 and MBBA, respectively.     

Influence of a Change in Helical Twisting Power of Photoresponsive Chiral Dopants on Rotational Manipulation of Micro‐Objects on the Surface of Chiral Nematic Liquid Crystalline Films

Herein we report a group of five planar chiral molecules as photon‐mode chiral switches for the reversible control of the self‐assembled superstructures of doped chiral nematic liquid crystals. The chiral switches are composed of an asymmetrically substituted aromatic moiety and a photoisomerizing azobenzene unit connected in a cyclic manner through methylene spacers of varying lengths. All the molecules show conformational restriction in the rotation of the asymmetrically substituted aromatic moiety in both the E and Z states of the azobenzene units resulting in planar chirality with separable enantiomers. Our newly synthesized compounds in pure enantiomeric form show high helical twisting power (HTP) in addition to an improved change in HTP between the E and Z states. The molecule with a diphenylnaphthalene unit shows the highest ever known initial helical twisting power among chiral dopants with planar chirality. In addition to the reversible tuning of reflection colors, we employed the enantiomers of these five compounds in combination with four nematic liquid crystalline hosts to study their properties as molecular machines; the change in HTP of the chiral dopant upon photoisomerization induces rotation of the texture of the liquid crystal surfaces. Importantly, this study has revealed a linear dependence of the ratio of the difference between HTPs before and after irradiation against the absolute value of the initial HTP, not the absolute value of the change in helical twisting power between two states, on the angle of rotation of micro‐objects on chiral nematic liquid crystalline films. This study has also revealed that a change in irradiation intensity does not affect the maximum angle of rotation, but it does affect the speed of rotational reorganization of the cholesteric helix.     

Helical twisting power and compatibility in twisted nematic phase of new chiral liquid crystalline dopants with various liquid crystalline matrices

ABSTRACT

Four chiral dopants exhibiting smectic LC phases themselves were prepared and their helical twisting power (HTP) and thermal phase behaviour in mixtures with four various LC hosts were studied. The influence of host liquid crystal on HTP was evaluated and generally higher values were found for hosts with high birefringence. Unexpectedly, high enhancement was found for an LC-chiral dopant pair, both having a similar aromatic core – biphenyl ring substituted with polar group. All studied chiral dopants exhibited limited compatibility with the LC hosts in twisted nematic phase at room temperature. For one of the studied mixtures, it was able to obtain single twisted nematic phase with selective light reflection band with maximum at wavelength about 1.0 µm. Carboxylic acid-type dopants exhibited total compatibility with the studied host in single twisted nematic phase at elevated temperatures, allowing preparation of mixtures with reflection band in the visible range. In case of the carboxylic acid dopants, blue phases for optimised compositions were observed. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding between carboxylic acid proton and pyridine nitrogen of chiral dopants was found. Doping the LC host with these dopants led to slight enhancement of HTP value and higher solubility in the LC host.     

TADDOLs with Unprecedented Helical Twisting Power in Liquid Crystals. Preliminary communication

A large number of TADDOL (α,α,α′, α′-tetraaryl-1,3-dioxolan-4,5-dimethanol) derivatives has been tested as chiral dopants for inducing conversion of nematic to cholesteric phases. With the Merck liquid-crystal materials ZLI-1695 and K15 , it was demonstrated that some TADDOLs have unprecedentedly high helical twisting powers (HTP). Thus, the TADDOL with four 9-phenanthryl α-substituents has a HTP in the achiral mesophase 4-(4-pentylphenyl)benzonitrile of 405 μm^?1 between 24 and 34°. The temperature-dependent HTP measurements have been performed by analyzing Grandjean textures microscopically (Cano method). The structure-dependent HTP of various types of TADDOL dopants is discussed. There are similarities between size and sign of HTP on the one hand, and between degree and relative topicity of enantioselectivity in reactions, on the other hand, as caused by TADDOLs and by 1,1′-binaphthols.     

Synthesis of optically active 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-{4-(4-methoxyphenyl)phenyl}butanoic acid and its application to chiral dopant for nematic liquid crystals

We synthesized an optically active 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-{4-(4-methoxyphenyl)phenyl}butanoic acid (5^*). New chiral dopants for nematic liquid crystals were derived from (R)-(−)-5^*, and their helical twisting power (HTP) values were measured. Their HTP values were largely influenced by the linkage between the asymmetric frame and the core moiety. The chiral dopant, (R)-(+)-4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(4-hexyloxyphenyl)-3-{4-(4-methoxyphenyl)phenyl}-1-butanone ((R)-(+)-7^*) showed the largest HTP value (−21.7 μm⁻¹).     

Induction and structural control of chiral nematic phases by the use of photoresponsive tris(beta-diketonato) Co(III) and Ru(III) complexes

Two kinds of tris(beta-diketonato) metal(III) complexes denoted as [M(acac)2(LC12)] and [M(acac)2(Lazo)] (M=Ru(III) and Co(III); acac=acetylacetonato; LC12=1,3-didodecyloxyphenyl-1,3-propanedionato; Lazo=3-[4'-(4'-(butoxy)phenylazo)phenyl]-pentane-2,4-dionato) were synthesized and optically resolved into Delta, Lambda isomers. Here, LC12 and Lazo were designed to be elongated perpendicular to and in parallel with the molecular C 2 axis, respectively. The metal complexes were doped into three kinds of nematic liquid crystals (MBBA, EBBA, and ZLI-1132). Both dopants induced chiral nematic phases with relatively high helical twisting powers. With a purpose to clarify the mechanisms of helical induction, order parameters (S) were determined by means of polarized UV-vis measurements on nematic samples doped with racemic Co(III) complexes. As a result, the long axes of the elongated ligands in both [Co(acac)2(LC 12)] and [Co(acac)2(trans-Lazo)] were found to align in the direction of the director vector with S=0.50+/-0.05 and 0.60+/-0.05, respectively. Based on the results, the photoresponsive behavior of Delta- or Lambda-[Ru(acac)2(Lazo)] was interpreted in terms of the variation of S accompanied with the cis-trans isomerization of the azobenzene moiety in Lazo.     

Tuning the helical twisting power of nematic liquid crystals induced by chiral 1, 2-propanediol derivatives using varied substituents

In this study,a novel series of chiral 1,2-propanediol derivatives with different electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR and ~1H NMR.The helical twisting properties of all the chiral dopants were investigated by doping the chiral dopants into a nematic liquid crystal host(SLC-1717).The results indicate that the donor-acceptor electron effect have a prominent influence on helical twisting property of the chiral nematic phase induced by the chiral dopants. Introducing electron-withdrawing groups into the terminal ends of chiral 1,2-propanediol can decrease the absolute values of the helical twisting power.In addition,the helix inversion temperatures of the induced chiral nematic phase are variational with the change of terminal groups.     

Influence of helical twisting power on the photoswitching behavior of chiral azobenzene compounds: applications to high-performance switching devices

Five photochromic chiral azobenzene compounds and one nonphotochromic chiral compound were synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Cholesteric liquid crystalline phases were induced by mixing of the nonphotochromic chiral compound and one of the photochromic chiral azobenzene compounds in a host nematic liquid crystal (E44). The helical pitch of the induced cholesteric phase was determined by Cano's wedge method and the helical twisting power (HTP) of each sample was thus determined. The helical twisting powers of azobenzene compounds were decreased upon UV irradiation, due to trans-->cis photoisomerization of azobenzene molecules. Among the azobenzene compounds synthesized in our study, Azo-5, with isomannide (radical) as chiral photochromic dopant, showed the highest HTP and contrast ratio (Tmax/Tmin). Photoswitching between compensated nematic phase and cholesteric phase was achieved through reversible trans<-->cis photoisomerization of the chiral azobenzene molecules through irradiation with UV and visible light, respectively. Transmission rates (contrast ratios) increased with decreasing helical pitch length in the induced cholesteric phase. The influence of helical twisting power on the photoswitching behavior of chiral azobenzene compounds is discussed in detail.     

An experimental and computational study of calamitic and bimesogenic liquid crystals incorporating an optically active [2,2]-paracyclophane

Two liquid-crystalline materials containing an optically active (R)-4-hydroxy-[2,2]-paracyclophane group were prepared, one in which the chiral group is a bulky terminal unit and one in which it forms part of a terphenyl-like mesogenic unit. Both materials exhibit monotropic chiral nematic phases. Partial phase diagrams were constructed for mixtures of both materials with 5CB, allowing us to extrapolate pitch lengths and helical twisting power values (HTP) for each material. The HTP value of the material with a ‘locked’ paracyclophane is 70% higher than that of a ‘free’ paracyclophane and this is rationalised as being due to the reduction in conformational freedom of the former material relative to the later.     

Novel freebase and zinc bilinone dimers with optically active peripheral groups. Synthesis and application to chiral nematic induction in a nematic mesophase

In order to investigate effective dopants to induce chiral nematic liquid crystalline phases, novel freebase (FbBL) and zinc bilinone (ZnBL) derivatives bearing optically active aliphatic groups ((S)-3,7-dimethyloctyls) at the peripheral positions were prepared. From the CD spectra, it was confirmed that M-helicity in the bilinone frameworks was modestly enriched for ZnBLs, whereas helicity was hardly induced for FbBLs except for the o-xylylene-spaced dimer. When N-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-4-butylaniline (MBBA) was doped with the bilinone derivatives, the chiral nematic phase was effectively induced, and the helical twisting powers (β_Ms) ranged from ?95 to ?159 μm^?1. The control experiment using (S)-3,7-dimethyl-1-phenyloctane (β_M = +14 μm^?1) clearly showed that the induced chiral helical frameworks of FbBL and ZnBL predominantly contribute to chiral nematic induction of MBBA.     

Influence of terminal alkyl chain length on helical twisting property of chiral 1,2-propanediol derivatives

In this study,a novel series of chiral 1,2-propanediol derivatives with different terminal alkyl chain length were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR,~1H NMR and DSC.After doped into a nematic liquid crystal host,all the chiral dopants induced chiral nematic liquid crystals exhibiting a helix inversion with temperature variation.The results indicate that terminal alkyl chain length has a prominent influence on helical twisting property of the chiral dopants.With increasing the terminal alkyl chain le...     

Helical twisting properties of new chiral dopants with double (S)-1, 2-propanediol units for nematic liquid crystals

<正>A novel series of chiral dopants synthesized from(S)-1,2-propanediol and mesogenic carboxylic acids were characterized by FT-IR,~1H NMR,elemental analysis and their helical twisting properties were investigated by doping the chiral dopants into a nematic liquid crystal host(SLC-1717).The results show that,the helical pitch of N~*-LC mixture exhibited a terminal alkyl chain length dependence and the molecular twisting power β also exhibited a temperature dependence(increasing β with increasing temperature).     

Modification of the pitch of chiral nematic liquid crystals by means of photoisomerization of chiral dopants

New photoisomerizable chiral dopants have been studied. The dopants used were menthone derivatives, a chiral stilbene derivative and a nematic copolymer of a menthone derivative and a benzoyloxybenzonitrile derivative. NMR, HPLC and UV results showed that the E-Z-isomerization of all the compounds indicated proceeded rapidly upon UV exposure, without the formation of undesired by-products. Isomerization of the menthone derivatives, including the copolymer, induced a substantial decrease in the helical twisting power. The changes in helical twisting power induced by the isomerization of the chiral stilbene derivative were limited to a factor of 2. In mixtures of the photoisomerizable dopants with commercial dopants of opposite twisting senses and a nematic host mixture, the sign of the twisting sense could be reversed by illuminating the mixture with UV light. The viewing angle dependence of irradiated regions of a 90 -twisted nematic cell was rotated 90 with respect to the viewing angle dependence of the non-irradiated regions. It is expected that this approach may be useful in the preparation of dual domain TN cells with a reduced viewing angle dependence.     

Helical twisting power of laterally aryl substituted chiral mesogens

The relationship between the helical twisting power (HTP) of cholesteric liquid crystals and the molecular structure of the chiral mesogens has been investigated. Rod-like mesogens are compared with analogues bearing a bulky lateral branch. Additionally, the HTP of induced cholesteric phases formed by chiral guest molecules in nematic host phases has been studied in terms of different molecular structures. The paper gives information on the influence of bulky lateral groups in mesogens on the HTP.     

Photochemical tuning of the helical structure of cholesteric liquid crystals by photoisomerization of chiral azobenzenes, and their structural effects

Several chiral azobenzene compounds having different chiral substituents were synthesized. A cholesteric phase was induced by mixing each chiral azobenzene compound with a host non-chiral nematic liquid crystal (E44). The helical twisting power (HTP) as well as the change in HTP by trans-cis photoisomerization of the chiral azobenzene compound was dependent on the structure of the chiral substituents. A compensated nematic phase was induced by combination of E44, a chiral azobenzene compound and a non-photochromic chiral compound. Reversible switching between the compensated nematic phase and cholesteric phase was brought about by trans-cis photoisomerization of the chiral azobenzene compound in the liquid crystalline systems. An azobenzene compound substituted with a menthyl group showed the highest efficiency as the trigger for the switching; this efficiency was related to the compactness of the chiral group substituted within the azobenzene core moiety.     

Highly twisted helical polyacetylene with morphology free from the bundle of fibrils synthesized in chiral nematic liquid crystal reaction field

We synthesized novel axially chiral binaphthyl derivatives with highly twisting powers by substituting phenylcyclohexyl (PCH) mesogenic moieties into 2,2' positions or 2,2',6,6' positions of binaphthyl rings. The di- and tetrasubstituted binaphthyl derivatives, abbreviated as D-1 and D-2, respectively, were adopted as chiral dopants to induce chiral nematic liquid crystals (N*-LCs) available for synthesis of helical polyacetylene. The helical twisting power (betaM) of D-2 was 449 microm(-1), which was ca. 2.6 times larger than that of D-1 (171 microm(-1)). We prepared two kinds of induced N*-LCs with 5 microm and 270 nm in helical pitch by adding the chiral dopants D-1 and D-2 into the host N-LCs, respectively. The helical polyacetylene synthesized in the N*-LC containing D-2 exhibited highly screwed fibrils, but not a bundle of fibrils. This result is in quite contrast to the usual fibril morphology, where the screwed fibrils are gathered to form the bundle of fibrils, as observed in the helical polyacetylene synthesized in the N*-LC containing a chiral dopant with moderate helical twisting power, such as D-1. It is of keen interest that the helical pitch (270 nm) of the N*-LC including D-2 is much smaller than the diameter (ca. 1 microm) of the bundle of fibrils, which should depress the formation of the bundle of fibrils. The morphology free from the bundle of fibrils might enable us to evaluate more precisely intrinsic electromagnetic properties of a single screwed fibril of helical polyacetylene.