Bent-core mesogens with biphenyl moieties: observation of a B7 to B4 phase transition

Four new bent-core mesogens containing biphenyl moieties are reported. All these, except the first homologue, exhibit B₇ and B₄ banana phases, both of which are known to have a helical structure. The B₇ to B₄ phase transition is very rare, this being perhaps only the second report of the observation of such a phase sequence. The first homologue exhibits only one mesophase X₁ with textural features reminiscent of the B₁ phase. All the compounds synthesized are characterized by spectral data. The mesophases exhibited by these compounds are characterized by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray studies.     

The N,N'-bis[4-(4-n-alkyloxybenzoyloxy)benzylidene]phenylene-1,3-diamines: mesophase behaviour and physical properties

A homologous series of banana-shaped compounds (n =1-12) is described. The short-chain derivatives exhibit a B₆ phase, while B₆/B₁ dimorphism is found for the pentyloxy and hexyloxy homologues. The B₁ phase of the compounds having longer alkyloxy chains is changed to a B₂ phase for the compounds with n =11 and 12. The phase characterization was performed using their optical textures and by means of X-ray investigations. Transition enthalpies were measured using DSC. In addition, density measurements were performed on one selected homologue. The compound n =8 exhibiting a B₁ phase was investigated also by high-pressure DTA.     

Azo functionalised achiral bent-core liquid crystals: observation of photo-induced effects in B7 and B2 mesophases

Three structural variants of azo substituted achiral bent-core compounds are reported. Here, the effect of symmetrical and non-symmetrical arms at 1,3-positions of the central phenyl ring on the mesogenic properties of the resulting bent-core azo compounds is studied. The structures of all the compounds synthesised are confirmed by the organic spectroscopic methods. The liquid crystalline properties are investigated using polarising optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction studies. It was found that the non-symmetrical molecules are more conducive to mesomorphism than the symmetrical ones. We observed B₁ (Col_r), B₂ (SmC_AP_A) and B₇ mesophases in these compounds. The B₇ mesophase was found to have a modulated layer structure. Interestingly, a reversible field-induced transition from the B₇-like structure to the racemic SmC_AP_F was also observed. We also report the photo-induced studies in the B₇ mesophase and make a comparison of these results with those obtained in a B₂ mesophase. From our studies, we observed that these effects are more profound in the case of B₇ mesophase when compared to the B₂ mesophase in such systems.     

Occurrence of the B 7 mesophase in two homologous series of seven-ring achiral compounds composed of banana-shaped molecules

The synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour of twenty compounds belonging to two new series of seven-ring esters derived from 2-cyanoresorcinol are reported. Many homologues of both series exhibit the B₇ mesophase. In addition, some of the lower homologues exhibit a mesophase which shows textural features similar to that of the two-dimensional B₁ phase. The characterization of the mesophases has been carried out using polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, miscibility studies and electro-optical investigations. The first example of a plot of the B₇-isotropic phase transition temperature as a function of the alkyl chain length is also reported.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of banana-shaped compounds derived from 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene

Thirty eight compounds composed of achiral banana-shaped molecules belonging to three new homologous series have been synthesized and their mesomorphic properties investigated. The mesophases have been characterized using a combination of polarized light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, miscibility methods and X-ray diffraction measurements. All the compounds reported exhibit mesomorphic properties. Most of the homologues in the three series show B₁ and B₂ phases and the transition temperatures of these are lower in the fluoro substituted compounds. Some of the lower homologues of the fluoro substituted derivatives also show the nematic phase.     

New five‐ring symmetrical bent‐core mesogens exhibiting the fascinating B7 phase

Three new homologous series of symmetrical five‐ring bent‐core compounds have been synthesized and investigated for their mesomorphic properties. The laterally unsubstituted parent compounds exhibit a metastable SmCP_A phase. However, the two series of compounds containing a strongly polar cyano or nitro group at the angular position of the central phenyl unit show the fascinating classical B₇ phase. The mesophases have been characterized using standard techniques.     

Electronic structures of the boron cage molecules B4H4, B4Cl4 and B4F4

Ab initio calculations have been performed on B₄H₄, B₄Cl₄ and B₄F₄ in order to aid our understanding of the bonding in these compounds, which is presumably based on a tetrahedral boron cage. This cage has only 8 electrons and so is less than that expected on the basis of the usual framework electron counting rules. Basis sets with polarisation functions were used at the SCF, CI and CPF levels of theory to confirm that the T _d structures are indeed more stable than the D _4h ones. Davidson-Roby population analyses were able to show that many factors, including 3-centre 2-electron bonding and backbonding from the ligand to the boron cage, are of importance in determining the relative stability of the three compounds, of which B₄Cl₄ is the only one that has yet been observed experimentally.     

A novel class of banana-shaped azo compounds exhibiting antiferroelectric switching behaviour

The first banana-shaped liquid crystal materials with photo-active azo linkages are reported. The higher temperature mesophase X₁ (believed to be B₆) above the B₁ phase exhibited by these azo compounds shows antiferroelectric switching characteristics. The observation of banana phases in azo compounds assumes significance from the point of view of photochromic studies.     

B4 Tetrahedra for Aluminum Atoms—A Surprising Substitution in τ-Borides Ni20Al3B6 and Ni20AlB14

Stabilized by the tailor-made coordination in the crystal , B₄ tetrahedra were characterized for the first time in a solid-state structure (shown on the right). Some of the Al atoms are replaced by B₄ tetrahedra in the cubic τ-boride Ni₂₀AlB₁₄. The B–B distances of 1.681(15) Å are similar to those in the molecular structures of B₄Cl₄ and B₄(tBu)₄, which contain tetrahedral B₄ units.     

(Solid+Liquid) Equilibria in the Quaternary System Na2B4O7-MgB4O7-K2B4O7-H2O at 288 K

(Solid+Liquid) phase equilibria in the quaternary system Na₂B₄O₇‐MgB₄O₇‐K₂B₄O₇‐H₂O at 288 K were studied experimentally using the method of isothermal solution saturation. Solubility of any single salt in the solution of the quaternary system was determined experimentally. Based on the experimental data achieved, the phase diagram and water content diagram of the quaternary system were constructed, respectively. In the phase equilibrium diagram of the quaternary system Na₂B₄O₇‐MgB₄O₇‐K₂B₄O₇‐H₂O at 288 K, there are one invariant point E, three univariant curves E1E, E2E and E3E, and three fields of crystallization corresponding to Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, K₂B₄O₇·4H₂O and MgB₄O₇·9H₂O. The experimental results show that potassium borate (K₂B₄O₇·4H₂O) have higher solubilities than the magnesium borate and sodium borate in the quaternary system Na₂B₄O₇‐MgB₄O₇‐K₂B₄O₇‐H₂O at 288 K.     

Banana-shaped mesogens: a new homologous series of compounds exhibiting the B7 mesophase

The synthesis and characterization of a new homologous series of compounds, the 2-cyano-1,3-phenylene bis[4-(4-n-alkoxyphenyliminomethyl)benzoates] derived from 2-cyanoresorcinol is reported. All the compounds are enantiotropic mesogens and exhibit the fascinating B₇ mesophase. The characterization of the mesophase was performed using polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and electro-optical studies.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Rb2B2Se7, Tl2B2Se7, Cs3B3Se10, and Tl3B3Se10: New Perseleno‐selenoborates with Polymeric Anionic Chains

The perseleno‐selenoborates Rb₂B₂Se₇ and Cs₃B₃Se₁₀ were prepared from the metal selenides, amorphous boron and selenium, the thallium perseleno‐selenoborates Tl₂B₂Se₇ and Tl₃B₃Se₁₀ directly from the elements in evacuated carbon coated silica tubes by solid state reactions at temperatures between 920 K and 950 K. All structures were refined from single crystal X‐ray diffraction data. The isotypic perseleno‐selenoborates Rb₂B₂Se₇ and Tl₂B₂Se₇ crystallize in the monoclinic space group I 2/a (No. 15) with lattice parameters a = 12.414(3) Å, b = 7.314(2) Å, c = 14.092(3) Å, β = 107.30(3)°, and Z = 4 for Rb₂B₂Se₇ and a = 11.878(2) Å, b = 7.091(2) Å, c = 13.998(3) Å, β = 108.37(3)° with Z = 4 for Tl₂B₂Se₇. The isotypic perseleno‐selenoborates Cs₃B₃Se₁₀ and Tl₃B₃Se₁₀ crystallize in the triclinic space group P1 (Cs₃B₃Se₁₀: a = 7.583(2) Å, b = 8.464(2) Å, c = 15.276(3) Å, α = 107.03(3)°, β = 89.29(3)°, γ = 101.19(3)°, Z = 2, (non‐conventional setting); Tl₃B₃Se₁₀: a = 7.099(2) Å, b = 8.072(2) Å, c = 14.545(3) Å, α = 105.24(3)°, β = 95.82(3)°, γ = 92.79(3)°, and Z = 2). All crystal structures contain polymeric anionic chains of composition ([B₂Se₇]^2–)_n or ([B₃Se₁₀]^3–)_n formed by spirocyclically fused non‐planar five‐membered B₂Se₃ rings and six‐membered B₂Se₄ rings in a molar ratio of 1 : 1 or 2 : 1, respectively. All boron atoms have tetrahedral coordination with corner‐sharing BSe₄ tetrahedra additionally connected via Se–Se bridges. The cations are situated between three polymeric anionic chains leading to a nine‐fold coordination of the rubidium and thallium cations by selenium in M₂B₂Se₇ (M = Rb, Tl). Coordination numbers of Cs⁺ (Tl⁺) in Cs₃B₃Se₁₀ (Tl₃B₃Se₁₀) are 12(11) and 11(9).     

Structural investigation of Cr2B3, Cr3B4, and CrB by single-crystal diffractometry

The crystal structures of Cr₂B₃, Cr₃B₄, and CrB, of which Cr₂B₃ is a new compound, were investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. Cr₂B₃ crystallizes in the orthorhombic space groupCmcm witha = 3.0264(5), b = 18.115(4), c = 2.9542(4)A˚, Z = 4. The intensity data were collected on a four-circle diffractometer with graphite-monochromatizedMoKα radiation. The structure was solved by the Patterson method and refined with a full-matrix least-squares program to anR value (= Σ|ΔF|Σ|F_o|) of 0.021 for 1310 reflections. The structures of Cr₃B₄ and CrB were refined starting from published data; theR values were 0.032 (Cr₃B₄) and 0.022 (CrB). The structure of Cr₂B₃ can be described by stacking sheets of the AlB₂ structure type in the same manner as in the cases of Cr₃B₄ and CrB. The fusion of two neighboring sheets is performed by a 5Cr tetragonal pyramid and a Cr-B direct bond at their boundary. The essential difference between the structures of these compounds is only in the widths of the sheets. The relations of the widths of the sheets to the bond distances and angles of boron atoms are discussed.     

Structure and stability of B6, B,and B clusters

We investigated various isomers of B₆, B, and B clusters with ab initio [Hartree–Fock (HF), MP2)] and density functional theory (DFT) methods. Ten B₆ isomers, 6 B isomers, and 6 B isomers are determined to be local minima on their potential energy hypersurfaces by the HF, B3LYP, B3PW91, and MP2 methods. Fourteen of these structures are first reported. The most stable neutral B₆ cluster is the capped pentagonal pyramid (C_5v), in agreement with the results reported previously. Hexagon B (C_2h) isomer and fan‐shaped B (C_2v) isomer are found to be the most stable on the cationic and anionic energy hypersurfaces, respectively. Natural bond orbital analysis suggests that there are three‐centered bonds in the most stable B₆ neutral and ionic clusters. The multicentered bonds are responsible for the special stability of the lowest‐energy isomer. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 94: 269–278, 2003     

AFM investigations of a sample showing the B2 phase

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images reveal that the liquid crystalline B₂ phase has no helical superstructure, in contrast to the B₇ phase. This is demonstrated on comparing the AFM images of focal-conic domains in the smectic A, cholesteric, B₂ and B₇ phases. The B₂ and B₇ phases are phases formed by banana-shaped molecules. The results point to the existence of ferroelectric clusters with a random size distribution which also cause the low frequency dielectric relaxation.     

Dual switchable six-ring bent-core liquid crystals with azo linkages exhibiting B1 and B2 mesophases

A new series of asymmetric bent-core compounds were synthesised using azo linkages with equal as well as unequal terminal alkyl chains and their photo and electrical switching properties investigated. The mesomorphic properties were characterised using polarised optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The lower homologues of the series of compounds show a B₁ phase whereas higher homologues exhibit a B₂ phase. The B₂ phase shows an anticlinic-antiferroelectric switching behaviour during electro-optic measurements. The photo-switching properties of the azobenzene containing bent-core molecules were investigated using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The trans to cis photo isomerisation was observed at 25 s whereas reverse processes took 14 h in chloroform.     

Synthesis-Controlled Polymorphism and Optical Properties of Phyllosilicate-Analogous Borosulfates M[B2(SO4)4] (M=Mg,Co)

Increased synthetic control in borosulfate chemistry leads to the access of various new compounds. Herein, the polymorphism of phyllosilicate-analogous borosulfates is unraveled by adjusting the oleum (65 % SO₃) content. The new polymorphs β-Mg[B₂(SO₄)₄] and α-Co[B₂(SO₄)₄] both consist of similar layers of alternating borate and sulfate tetrahedra, but differ in the position of octahedrally coordinated cations. The α-modification comprises cations between the layers, whereas in the β-modification cations are embedded within the layers. With this new synthetic approach, phase-pure compounds of the respective polymorphs α-Mg[B₂(SO₄)₄] and β-Co[B₂(SO₄)₄] were also achieved. Tanabe–Sugano analysis of the Co²⁺ polymorphs reveal weak ligand field splitting and give insights into the coordination behavior of the two-dimensional borosulfate anions for the first time. DFT calculations confirmed previous in silico experiments and enabled an assignment of the polymorphs by comparing the total electronic energies. The compounds are characterized by single-crystal XRD, PXRD, FTIR, and UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.     

The binary system composed of a bent-core compound forming a B7 phase and a nematogenic calamitic compound

The isobaric phase diagram for a binary system of liquid crystals is presented. One mixing component is a bent-core mesogen forming a B₇ phase and the other one is a nematogenic calamitic compound. The occurring mesophases have been identified by their optical textures as well as by X-ray investigations. The B₇ phase exists down to about 60 mol% of the bent-core compound A / 40 mol% of the calamitic compound B. Two additional mesophases are induced in the mixed phase region. At medium concentrations (around 50 mol%) an oblique columnar phase appears which shows a similar X-ray pattern to the B₇ phase but an utterly different nucleation on cooling the isotropic liquid and a completely dissimilar texture. At concentrations below 35 mol% A, a further phase is induced which possesses an irregularly modulated layer structure. This phase can be regarded as an intermediate state between the regularly modulated Col_r (B₁) phase and the intercalated B₆ phase. It transforms on cooling into the phase with a regularly modulated structure.     

Fabrication of vertical alignment liquid crystal cell without forming a conventional polyimide-alignment layer

Two series of asymmetric banana-shaped compounds have been synthesized and studied. In the 1,3-phenylene bis[4-(4′-alkoxybenzoyloxy)]benzoate series the lack of symmetry was derived solely from the difference in length of the two terminal alkoxy chains. In the 3,4′-biphenylene bis[4-(4′-alkoxybenzoyloxy)]benzoate series the asymmetric nature originates from the 3,4′-substitution of the central biphenyl group and from the difference in length of the two terminal chains. All the melting points of the asymmetrical compounds in the series with the central phenyl unit are lower than those of the symmetrical compounds. The liquid crystalline B₁ or B₂ phase was retained in all cases. In the series with the central biphenyl unit the compounds with the shortest chain attached to the para-position of the central biphenyl unit have the lowest melting points. A significant lowering of the melting points in comparison with the symmetrically substituted compounds, however, could not be achieved. All the compounds of both series show a layer spacing which is comparable to those of the symmetrically substituted parent compounds. The observed switching behaviour of both the symmetric and asymmetric compounds with a B₂ phase was antiferroelectric.     

Die Zinn-Rhodiumboride SnRh3B1−x,Sn4Rh6B und Sn5Rh6B2

The Tin Rhodium Borides SnRh₃B_1–x, Sn₄Rh₆B, and Sn₅Rh₆B₂ The new compounds SnRh₃B_1–x (x ～ 0.2, tetragonal, P4/mbm, a = 570.31(2) pm, c = 835.99(8) pm, Z = 4, 514 reflexions, 26 parameters, R = 0.026), Sn₄Rh₆B (hexagonal, P6₃/mmc, a = 560.01(3) pm, c = 1367.5(1) pm, Z = 2, 746 reflexions, 17 parameters, R = 0.035), and Sn₅Rh₆B₂ (hexagonal, P6 2m, a = 654.80(7) pm, c = 557.32(9) pm, Z = 1, 361 reflexions, 16 parameters, R = 0.039) were prepared by reaction of the elements. SnRh₃B_1–x crystallizes with the filled U₃Si type of structure, a distortion variant of the cubic perovskite; the structure of Sn₄Rh₆B may be derived from the hexagonal perovskite BaNiO₃. Both compounds contain nearly regular Rh₆B-octahedra. Sn₅Rh₆B₂ with the Sn₅Ir₆B₂ type of structure contains isolated colums composed of trigonal Rh₆B-prisms.