Synthesis,Mesomorphic and Computational Characterizations of Nematogenic Schiff Base Derivatives in Pure and Mixed State

Homolog series based on three aromatic rings bearing terminal alkoxy chain of various lengths named 4-(4-(alkoxy)phenylimino)methyl)phenyl nicotinate (An) were synthesized. The alkoxy-chain length changed between 6, 8 and 16 carbons. Mesomorphic and optical properties were carried out via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). Elemental analyses, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy were carried out to elucidate the molecular structures of the prepared derivatives. Mesomorphic results indicated that all the synthesized homologs (An) are monomorphic possessing the nematic (N) phase enantiotropically with wide thermal stability. Computational simulations were measured via density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculation tool. The estimated thermal and geometrical parameters are in agreement with the experimental data. By discussing the estimated parameters, it was found that the molecular architecture, dipole moment and the polarizability of the investigated compounds are highly affected by the length of the attached terminal flexible chain and the location of the nitrogen atom in the other terminal aromatic ring. Binary phase diagrams of two corresponding homologs with different proportionating terminals were constructed, and their binary phase physical properties were discussed in terms of the temperature range and stability of the N phase.     

Effect of exchange of terminal substituents on the mesophase behaviour of some azo/ester compounds

Six homologous series of 4-(4′-alkoxy phenylazo) phenyl 4″-substituted benzoates (In_a-f) were prepared in which, within each homologous series, the length of the terminal alkoxy chain varies between 6, 8, 10, and 12 carbons, while the other terminal substituent, X, is a polar group that alternatively changed from CH₃O, CH₃, H, Br, NO₂ and CN. Compounds prepared were characterised by spectroscopic methods, and their mesophase behaviour investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarised optical microscopy (POM). The results were discussed in terms of mesomeric and polarisability effects. In each group of compounds, bearing the same alkoxy substituent, the nematic-to-isotropic transition temperatures (T_C) were successfully correlated with the polarisability anisotropy of bonds to the substituent X. A comparative study was made between the investigated compounds and their previously prepared isomers, namely, 4-(4′-substituted phenylazo) phenyl 4″-alkoxybenzoates (IIn_a-f) in which the two terminal (alkoxy- and X) groups are exchanged.     

Dependence of Mesomorphic Behaviour of Methylene‐Linked Dimers and the Stability of the NTB/NX Phase upon Choice of Mesogenic Units and Terminal Chain Length

Twelve symmetrical dimeric materials consisting of a nonamethylene (C9) spacer and either phenyl 4‐(4′‐alkylphenyl)benzoate, phenyl 4‐(4′‐alkylcyclohexyl)benzoate or phenyl 4‐(4′‐alkylbicyclohexyl)carboxylate mesogenic units were prepared and their mesogenic behaviour characterised by POM, DSC and XRD. All of the materials exhibited nematic phases with clearing points in excess of 200 °C. Four compounds were found to exhibit the twist‐bend nematic phase, with one material exhibiting a transition from the N_TB phase into an anticlinic smectic ‘X’ phase. Across all three series of compounds the length of terminal chain is seen to dictate, to some degree, the type of mesophase formed: shorter terminal chains favour nematic and N_TB mesophases, whereas longer terminal aliphatic chains were found to promote smectic phases.     

New Nitro-Laterally Substituted Azomethine Derivatives; Synthesis,Mesomorphic and Computational Characterizations

Two new homologues series, based on two rings of the azomethine central group bearing the terminal alkoxy group of various chain lengths, were prepared. The alkoxy chain length varied between 6 and 16 carbons. The other terminal wing in the first series was the F atom, and the compound is named N-4-florobenzylidene-4-(alkoxy)benzenamine (In). The second group of compounds included a lateral NO₂ substituent in addition to the terminal F atom, named N-(4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzylidene)-4-(alkyloxy)aniline (IIn). Mesomorphic and optical properties were carried out via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). Elemental analyses, FT-IR, and NMR spectroscopy were carried out to elucidate the molecular structures of the synthesized groups. Mesomorphic investigations indicated that all the synthesized homologues (In) were monomorphic, possessing the smectic A (SmA) phase monotropically, while the second group (IIn) members were non-mesomorphic. The experimental data indicated that the formation of the mesophase is affected by the protrusion of the lateral nitro group. The disruption of the mesophase in the second group was attributed to the increase of its molecular width, which affects its lateral intermolecular interactions. The computational simulations were in agreement with the experimental data. On the other hand, the location of NO₂ group within the molecular geometry increased the melting temperature of the molecule, and thus, affected their thermal and physical properties. By discussing the estimated parameters, it was found that the molecular architecture, the dipole moment, and the polarizability of the investigated compounds are highly affected by the electronic nature and position of the terminal and lateral substituents as well as their volumes.     

Non-symmetric ether-linked liquid crystalline dimers with a highly polar end group

A new class of non-symmetric dimeric compounds derived from 4-cyano-4′-hydroxybiphenyl in which two rigid parts are connected via flexible spacers have been designed and synthesised. These materials possess trialkoxy chains attached at one end of the molecule, while the other end consists of a biphenyl moiety terminated with the highly polar cyano group. The molecular structures of these dimers have been confirmed by elemental analysis and spectroscopic data and their phase behaviour has been characterised by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM). Almost all of the synthesised materials exhibit liquid crystalline properties depending on the number of carbon atoms in the terminal chains, where all short chains derivatives form nematic phases and depending on the length of the internal spacer long terminal chains homologues display crystalline or unidentified smectic phase.     

Polarity and steric effect of di-lateral substitution on the mesophase behaviour of some azo/ester compounds

Eight homologous series of 2-(or 3-)substituted phenyl 4?-(4″-alkoxy (2?-, or 3″-substituted phenylazo) benzoates (In_XY) were prepared in which the suffix ‘X’ refers to the lateral substituent X attached to the terminal benzene ring that carries the alkoxy group, and the suffix ‘Y’ refers to the substituent attached to the other terminal phenyl group. Within each homologous series, the length of the terminal alkoxy group varies from 8 to 16 carbons, while the lateral polar substituents, X and Y, alternatively varies between CH₃ and F. The mesophase behaviour was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and identified by polarised optical microscopy. The results were discussed in terms of the polarity and steric effects of the two lateral substituents. Comparative correlations were made to investigate the effect of the second lateral substituent on the mesophase behaviour of the previously investigated mono-laterally substituted analogues. UV–vis spectroscopic study revealed that the compounds I8_XY exhibited two absorption bands: low intense bands at 254–263 and a broad band at 364–376 nm. These bands are attributed to the π–π? transition of the phenyl rings and the whole mesogenic portion.     

New azobenzene-based natural fatty acid liquid crystals with low melting point: synthesis,DFT calculations and binary mixtures

ABSTRACT

Three new groups of azobenzene liquid crystals named,4-[2-(4-substituted phenyl)diazenyl]phenyl hexdecanoate, 4-[2-(4-substituted phenyl)diazenyl]phenyl octadeca-9-enoate, and 4-[2-(4-substituted phenyl)diazenyl]phenyl octadeca-9,12-dienoate were prepared from naturally occurring fatty acids (palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids). All groups were investigated for their mesophase formation and thermal stability of pure compounds and their binary mixtures by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarised light microscopy (PLM) and thermogravemetric analyses (TGA). Each group contains two compounds that differ from each other by the polar substituent X (CH₃O and Cl) with different number (n) of carbons in the fatty alkyl chains. Molecular structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed via FT-IR, ¹H NMR, C¹³ NMR and elemental analysis. Mesomorphic and thermal properties were investigated. Smectic A phase is the mesophase observed in all of the compounds prepared and their binary mixtures with low melting temperatures. Moreover, DFT calculations were discussed for the prepared compounds. The results revealed that the alkyl chain of the carboxylate part does not significantly affect on the energy difference of the FMOs as well as the thermodynamic parameters. However, the high electronegative Cl substituent has significant effect on the energy difference of the FMOs and decreases the dipole moments of the prepared compounds.     

Schiff base/ester liquid crystals with different lateral substituents: mesophase behaviour and DFT calculations

Four new groups of 4-((2?-substitutedphenylimino)methyl)phenyl-4”-alkoxy benzoates, In_a-d, of Schiff base ester liquid crystals, were prepared and investigated for their mesophase formation and stability. Each group constitutes four homologous series that differ from each other by the lateral attached polar group X in the ortho position for the imine mesogen at terminal benzene ring that alternatively changed from F, Br, NO2 and lateral benzene ring. Within each homologous series, the number (n) of carbons in the alkoxy chain varies between 6, 8, 10 and 12. Molecular structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed via elemental analysis, FT-IR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the phase identified by polarised light microscopy (PLM). A comparative study was made between the investigated compounds and their previously prepared laterally neat, 4-((4?-phenylimino)methyl)phenyl-4”-alkoxy benzoates (IIn); the result revealed that all lateral substituents not only decrease the melting temperature but also the mesophase stability and shown only nematic phase. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations for new lateral derivatives were discussed.     

Solvent-Free Mechanochemical Synthesis of High Transition Biphenyltetracarboxydiimide Liquid Crystals

A series of high temperature alkyl and alkoxy biphenyltetracarboxydiimide liquid crystals have been prepared under ball mill method using solvent-free mechanochemical approach. The thermal properties of the prepared compounds were investigated by deferential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements and the textures were identified by polarized optical microscope (POM). The compounds showed smectic mesomorphic behaviour. The results showed the increasing nature of transition temperature Cr-SmC with chain length with increments of the SmC mesophase range. However, the mesophase range of the SmA was decreased with the terminal chain length either for the alkyl or alkoxy terminal groups. Moreover, the DFT theoretical calculations have been conducted give a detailed projection of the structure of the prepared compounds. A conformational investigation of the biphenyl part has been studied. A deep illustration of the experimental mesomorphic behaviour has been discussed in terms of the calculated aspect ratio. A projection of the frontier molecular orbitals as well as molecular electrostatic potential has been studied to show the effect of the polarity of the terminal chains on the level and the gap of the FMOs and the distribution of electrostatic charges on the prepared molecules.     

Synthesis and properties of new non-symmetric liquid crystal dimers containing mandelic acid and cyano group

Four non-symmetric dimers containing mandelic acid as the chiral core have been synthesised, termed as QBMA-B, QBMA-BCN, QBMA-BBCN and QBBMA-BBCN, respectively. Chemical structures and liquid crystal (LC) properties of the dimers were characterised by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and polarised optical microscopy (POM). The results indicated that the rigidity and conformation of the molecules of the dimers played important effects on their mesophase properties. QBMA-B did not display any mesophase, QBMA-BCN and QBMA-BBCN exhibited nematic (N) phases, while QBBMA-BBCN displayed cholesteric (ch) phase, which indicated that chiral mandelic acid could induce cholesteric phase, but some attention should be paid to the molecular conformation to obtain cholesteric phase. For the four dimers, melting temperature (T_m) increased first and then decreased, inferring that molecular conformation played a more important effect besides molecular weight and rigidity.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel ferroelectric liquid crystal polysiloxane containing undecanoyloxy spacer (I)

A novel side-chain liquid crystal polysiloxane and its corresponding monomer were synthesized by the standard method. We ensured their structures were as expected and their purities were high by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared measurements. They were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for their thermal analysis and polarizing optical microscopy (POM) with hot stage for their textures and transition temperatures. The results showed good liquid crystal properties and low transition temperatures of the mesophase. X-ray diffractions were done to research their layer structure and SmA and SmC^* phases were assured, in good agreement with the results of the POM and DSC measurements. The optical rotation degree was also measured.     

Synthesis and characterization of terminally carboxyl ethylene glycol monomethyl ethers-substituted side-chain liquid-crystalline polysiloxanes

Alkene monomers containing phenyl or biphenyl carboxylate benzoate ester based on a mesogenic group of varied lengths of carboxyl oligo (ethanediol) monomethyl ethers as the terminal were synthesized. They were grafted onto poly(methyl-hydrosiloxane) by the platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation process. The thermal transition temperatures and mesophase textures of monomers and of polymers were characterized by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffraction, and polarized optical microscopy with a hot stage. The factors governing mesophase textures and thermal transition temperatures are discussed. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Ionic Liquid Crystals Derived from Amino Acids

Novel chiral amino acid derived ionic liquid crystals with amine and amide moieties as spacers between the imidazolium head group and the alkyl chain were synthesised. The key step in the synthesis utilised the relatively uncommon SO₃ leaving group in a microwave‐assisted reaction. The mesomorphic properties of the mesogens were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarising optical microscopy (POM) and X‐ray diffraction. All liquid crystalline salts exhibit a smectic A mesophase geometry with strongly interdigitated bilayer structures. An increase of the steric bulk of the stereogenic centre hindered the formation of mesophases. In case of phenylalanine‐derived derivatives a mesomorphic behaviour was observed for shorter alkyl chains as compared to other amino acid derivatives indicating an additional stabilising effect by the phenyl moiety.     

Influence of lateral methyl and terminal substituents on the mesophase behaviour of four rings azo-ester liquid crystal compounds

ABSTRACT

The effect of introducing a lateral methyl substitution into the previously investigated laterally neat four-ring analogues, 4-substituted phenylazo phenyl 4?-(4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (In_a–e), on their mesophase behaviour was investigated for the newly prepared five homologous series of 4-substituted phenylazo phenyl 4?-(3?-methyl-4?-alkoxyphenylazo) benzoates (IIn_a–e). Within each homologous series, the alkoxy group varies between 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 carbons, while the substituent, X, is a polar group that alternatively changes between the electron-donating (CH₃O and CH₃) groups, and the electron-withdrawing (Br and NO₂) groups, including the unsubstituted homologues (IIn_c). Their mesophase stabilities were determined by DSC and phases identified by PLM. The results showed that independent of the alkoxy-chain length or the polarity of the substituent X, the nematic phase is predominant with relatively high stability and wide temperature ranges. All compounds show a good thermal stability in the mesophases domain, except the nitro and Br substituted derivatives bearing short alkoxy chain length. Comparison of the mesophase behaviour was also made between the present series and corresponding three-ring laterally CH_3-substituted azo/ester analogues. UV-vis absorption spectra revealed that derivatives with electron donating or an electron withdrawing groups exhibited redshifts of the π→π* transition compared with unsubstituded derivative.     

新型侧链液晶M5MPP/MMEANB高聚物的合成与表征

以4,4'-二羟基联苯、4-硝基苯胺、二溴己烷、甲基丙烯酸、氯代乙醇为原料合成了单体甲基丙烯酸[5(4'-甲氧基联苯4氧基)戊基]酯(M5MPP)、4-硝基偶氮苯基甲基-2-甲基丙烯酸酯基乙胺(MMEANB),并完成了单体的聚合和共聚,得到了含有非线性光学活性基团(NLO)的侧链液晶高分子,对其结构进行了表征.结果表明,均聚物PM5MPP及共聚物(M5MPP/MMEANB)属双向液晶高分子;PMMEANB属于非晶性高分子.证实了分子间吸电子与给电子基团相互作用有利于提高液晶高分子热稳定性,共聚物(M5MPP/MMEANB)具有较宽的液晶相温度范围.     

Studies on thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers. XV. Synthesis and properties of liquid crystalline copoly(imide-ester)s

Three series of the thermotropic liquid crystalline copoly(imide-ester)s were prepared by direct polycondensation. The first two series of the copoly(imide-ester)s were synthesized from N-(4-carboxyphenyl) trimellitimide with N,N-di(hydroxypropyl) pyromellitic diimide and various aromatic diols. The third series of copoly(imide-ester)s were prepared by N-(4-carboxyphenyl) trimellitimide with various imide-diols (methylene spacer = 2–6) and phenyl hydroquinone. The structures and thermal properties of the synthesized poly(imide-ester)s were examined by FTIR spectrum, wide-angle x-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal optical polarized microscope, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effects of the structures of the aromatic diols on the thermal properties of the resulting copoly(imide-ester)s were investigated. It was found that most of the copoly(imide-ester)s possessed excellent mesophase stabilities and thermostabilities. The mesophase stabilities of poly(imide-ester)s decreased with the increase of the size of lateral group, and the mesophase range increased with the increase of the amount of PhHQ. No significant odd-even effects were observed between the methylene spacer lengths and transition temperatures. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

含氟链不对称苯并菲盘状液晶的合成及疏氟效应对介晶性的影响

盘状液晶分子中引入氟代烃链并利用疏氟效应（fluorophobic effect）能有效稳定分子的柱状堆积;低对称性的盘状分子有较低的熔点和宽的介晶相温度范围．基于此,本文设计并合成了一系列半氟酯链的不对称苯并菲化合物C18H6（OCnH2n＋1）4（OCH3）（O2CC2H4C6F13）（1）,及相对应的不含氟化合物C18H6（OCnH2n＋1）4（OCH3）（O2CC8H17）（2）,n=4—8．化合物结构通过核磁和质谱表征．介晶性通过差示扫描量热法和偏光显微镜进行了研究．结果显示：化合物均为柱状互变热致液晶．含氟链化合物1a—1e与相对应的化合物2a-2e比较,有更高的熔点和清亮点．合成的多数化合物为室温液晶．     

Synthesis and properties of liquid crystal monomers containing a reactive group in the lateral substituent

A series of nematic liquid crystal (LC) monomers containing a reactive group (double bonds) in the lateral substituent was designed and synthesised. Length of the lateral substituted groups that have one double bond varied from 1 to 4 methylene units. Length of the terminal substituted groups varied from 2 to 5 methylene units. The molecular structures of the intermediates and the LC monomers were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), elemental analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The thermal phase behaviour of the monomers was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarised optical microscopy (POM) coupled with hot stage. Some molecules (V₁₅, V₂₅) with high aspect ratio exhibit enantiotropic nematic mesophase. The other compounds (V₁₂, V₂₂, V₄₂, V₄₃) show monotropic nematic mesophase during cooling. The relationship between the structure and mesomorphic property is also discussed.     

Synthesis of Novel Porphyrin Derivatives with Mesogenic Properties

Two novel porphyrin derivatives, 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-(N-octane-carboxamide)phenyl)porphyrin (4NC₈-TPP) and 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-(N-stearyl-carboxamide)phenyl)porphyrin (4NC₁₈-TPP), were synthesized. Their molecular structures were characterized by means of time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and infrared spectra (IR). The thermal behavior and morphologies of 4NC₈-TPP and 4NC₁₈-TPP were examined by thermal gravity (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and polarizing optical microscope (POM). It was found that both 4NC₈-TPP and 4NC₁₈-TPP had mesogenic properties.     

Photo-Responsive Behavior of Azobenzene Based Polar Hockey-Stick-Shaped Liquid Crystals

A study on the photoswitching behavior of azobenzene-based polar hockey-stick-shaped liquid crystals (HSLCs) has been presented. Two new series of five phenyl rings based polar HSLCs have been designed and synthesized. Solution state photoisomerization of the synthesized materials was investigated thoroughly via UV-visible and ¹H NMR spectroscopic techniques, whereas solid-state photochromic behavior was elucidated via physical color change of the materials, solid-state UV-visible study, powder XRD, and FE-SEM techniques. The materials exhibited decent photochromic behavior for different potential applications. The thermal phase behavior of the superstructural assembly has been characterized via polarizing optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and temperature-dependent small and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) studies. Depending upon the length of the terminal alkyl chain, nematic (N) and partially bilayer smectic A (SmA_d) phases were observed. DFT calculations revealed the favorable anti-parallel arrangement of the polar molecules that substantiate the formation of SmA_d phase.