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.     

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 B 7 mesophase. In addition, some of the lower homologues exhibit a mesophase which shows textural features similar to that of the two-dimensional B 1 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 B 7 -isotropic phase transition temperature as a function of the alkyl chain length is also reported.     

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.     

A new class of bent‐shaped mesogens exhibiting unusual mesophase behaviour

Examples of a new class of bent‐core compounds are presented, the central fragment of which consists of a benzoyl derivative of a secondary cyclic amine. The mesophase behaviour has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and electro‐optical measurements. It was found that the five‐ring compounds form smectic CP or B₁ phases which are typical for bent‐core mesogens. The six‐ring compounds exhibit, in some cases, only conventional non‐polar smectic phases; in other cases non‐polar smectic phases as well as banana phases are seen. Of particular interest is the occurrence of a switchable uniaxial semectic A‐like phase with an antiferroelectric structure.     

Banana-shaped mesogens: observation of a direct transition from the antiferroelectric B2 to nematic phase

The synthesis and characterisation of the first banana-shaped mesogens which exhibit a direct transition from the antiferroelectric B2 phase to the nematic phase are reported.     

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.     

Banana-shaped mesogens: effect of lateral substituents on seven-ring esters containing a biphenyl moiety

The synthesis and characterization of five homologous series of symmetrical compounds composed of banana-shaped molecules containing a biphenyl moiety are reported. All these compounds are non-Schiff's bases and are esters. The effects of lateral substituents such as fluoro, methyl and ethyl in the side arms of these molecules are examined. These substituents have a strong influence in reducing the clearing temperatures. Banana phases such as B1, B2 and B6 were observed in the above series of compounds. The mesophases were characterized by a combination of polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and electro-optic studies.     

The homologous series of some new six-ring double-swallow-tailed compounds

Recently we reported three homologous six-ring double-swallow-tailed compounds. For one homologue we observed the unusual phase sequence re-entrant smectic C-D_ob-smectic C-nematic. For this reason, results for a more complete homologous series are now presented. It was found that the phase behaviour can be compared with some series of biforked compounds. The lower members of the series exhibit nematic and smectic C phases, whereas the long-chain homologues form columnar phases. For three members of the series with intermediate lengths of the terminal chains, lamellar (S_c) and columnar (D_ob) phases occur for the same substance.     

Banana-shaped mesogens: effect of lateral substituents on seven-ring esters containing a biphenyl moiety

The synthesis and characterization of five homologous series of symmetrical compounds composed of banana-shaped molecules containing a biphenyl moiety are reported. All these compounds are non-Schiff's bases and are esters. The effects of lateral substituents such as fluoro, methyl and ethyl in the side arms of these molecules are examined. These substituents have a strong influence in reducing the clearing temperatures. Banana phases such as B 1 , B 2 and B 6 were observed in the above series of compounds. The mesophases were characterized by a combination of polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and electro-optic studies.     

Banana-shaped mesogens: mesomorphic properties of seven-ring esters derived from 5-chlororesorcinol

Two new homologous series of seven-ring bent-core compounds derived from 5-chlororesorcinol have been synthesized. Many of the lower homologues in both series exhibit the rectangular columnar B₁ phase. However, the three analogous compounds having long terminal alkyl chains exhibit a switchable lamellar phase, which is different from the usual B₂ phase. Although the ground state structure of the mesophase is antiferroelectric, it shows chiral conglomerates with opposite tilt and polarity. Simultaneously, racemic structures are also seen. The mesophases have been characterized using a combination of polarized light microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electro-optical studies.     

Dielectric study of the tilted columnar mesophase in three new chiral metallorganic discotic mesogens

Chiral oxovanadium(IV), copper(II) and palladium(II) beta-diketonates show a room temperature tilted columnar mesophase (rectangular P21). The dielectric response of these compounds was measured in the frequency range 10-2-109Hz. Three different relaxation processes have been observed in the columnar phase. One of them is only present in this mesophase and we suggest that it is a Goldstone-like mode, similar to the one present in the helical SmC* phases. In our case the presence of the helix was confirmed by circular dichroism studies.     

Structure and mesophase of a new series of aromatic polyesters

A new series of aromatic polyesters in which the polymethylene flexible spacers are connected with the rigid main chain containing benzene ring were prepared by interfacial polycondensation. The polymers were characterized by hotstage polarized microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, wide-angle X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The structure and properties of polyesters were investigated. The results showed that the textures of the thermotropic liquid-crystalline polyesters are smectic and/or nematic. The dependence of melting point, clearing point and transition enthalpy of polyesters on length of the alkylene group revealed a regular zig-zag trend. The thermal analysis of polyesters revealed that the clearing transition is an equilibrium process, so the entropy of this transition may be taken as an indication of the degree of the order in mesomorphic state presented in the system. Furthermore, the thermal history of polymer had a significant effect on its thermal behavior. The regular arrangement of methylene segments changed when polymer melted from the crystal state to the liquid-crystalline state. The research also implicated that the conformational change of the methylene flexible spacer was one of the reasons for this thermal effect.     

Odd-even behavior of ferroelectricity and antiferroelectricity in two homologous series of bent-core mesogens

Two chiral bent-core mesogens Pn-O-PIMB(n - 2)* (n = 9 and 10) and their oxygen analogues Pn-O-PIMB(n - 2)*-(n - 4)O (n = 8, 9, and 10) with omega-[(S)-amyloxy]alkoxy terminal groups were prepared, and their phase structures were investigated by means of electro-optic, polarization reversal current and second harmonic generation measurements in order to clarify the effect of the interlayer steric interaction on the emergence of polar orderings. The odd-even behavior for the alternative appearance of ferroelectricity and antiferroelectricity was observed in two homologous series; the bent-core mesogens P10-O-PIMB8*, P8-O-PIMB6*-4O, and P10-O-PIMB8*-6O in addition to the previously reported P6-O-PIMB4* and P8-O-PIMB6*, where the length of chains n is even, exhibited ferroelectric phases. On the contrary, the mesogens P7-O-PIMB5*, P9-O-PIMB7*, and P9-O-PIMB7*-5O, where n is odd, showed antiferroelectric phases. It is obvious that the interlayer steric interaction plays a major role for the emergence of a variety of phase structures.     

Magnetic properties of a homologous series of vanadium jarosite compounds

Redox-based, hydrothermal synthetic methodologies have enabled the preparation of a new series of stoichiometrically pure jarosites of the formula, AV(3)(OH)(6)(SO(4))(2) with A = Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), Tl(+), and NH(4)(+). These jarosites represent the first instance of strong ferromagnetism within a Kagomé layered framework. The exchange interaction, which is invariant to the nature of the A(+) ion (theta(CW) approximately equal to +53(1) K), propagates along the d(2) magnetic sites of the triangular Kagomé lattice through bridging hydroxyl groups. An analysis of the frontier orbitals suggests this superexchange pathway to possess significant pi-orbital character. Measurements on a diamagnetic host jarosite doped with magnetically dilute spin carriers, KGa(2.96)V(0.04)(OH)(6)(SO(4))(2), reveal significant single-ion anisotropy for V(3+) ion residing in the tetragonal crystal field. This anisotropy confines the exchange-coupled moments to lie within the Kagomé layer. Coupling strengths are sufficiently strong to prevent saturation of the magnetization when an external field is applied orthogonal to the Kagomé layer. Antiferromagnetic ordering of neighboring ferromagnetic Kagomé layers becomes dominant at low temperatures, characteristic of metamagnetic behavior for the AV(3)(OH)(6)(SO(4))(2) jarosites. This interlayer exchange coupling decreases monotonically with increasing layer spacing along the series, A = Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), NH(4)(+), and Tl(+), and it may be overcome by the application of external field strengths in excess of approximately 6 kOe.     

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.     

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.     

Banana-shaped mesogens: effect of 2-methylresorcinol as the central unit on the mesomorphic properties of five-ring esters

Three homologous series of banana-shaped five-ring esters and one series of seven-ring esters derived from 2-methylresorcinol have been synthesized. This has been carried out to understand the effect of chemical structure on the mesomorphic properties of such compounds. It is shown that the 2-methyl substituent in the central phenyl ring destabilizes the mesophases when they are compared with those of the analogous unsubstituted compounds. Replacement of a phenyl ring by a biphenyl moiety (seven-ring esters) in the two arms of the bent-core molecule enhances the thermal range of the mesophases as well as the clearing temperatures. The mesophases have been characterized using techniques such as polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction, and by electro-optical investigations. In the 32 compounds investigated, two mesophases, B 1 and B 2 , have been identified.     

Investigations of a homologous series of chiral siloxane based dimesogenic compounds

A homologous series of siloxane based dimesogens was synthesized in racemic and enantiomeric form. The flexible part of the core is composed of a central hexamethyltrisiloxane unit and two polymethylene chains of variable length. Increasing the number of methylene units in the core promotes smectic phase behaviour whose polymorphism was studied by polarization optical microscopy. Transitions into metastable phases were detected and investigated by differential scanning calorimetry using different heating rates. Information about the crystallization tendency was obtained from annealing experiments by changing annealing temperature and duration. In contrast to short dimesogenic homologues which predominantly showed monomesogen-like behaviour, polymer-like behaviour was observed for the longer homologues. Small angle X-ray diffraction provided data on the temperature dependence of the smectic layer spacing of mesogens and their corresponding dimesogens linked by the siloxane spacer. No significant differences between the layer spacings of the two classes of compounds were detected which suggests chain folding in the dimesogenic compounds and a similar mesogenic orientation for the mesogens and dimesogens.     

Synthesis of new mesogens of the 3-arylisoxazolone and 3-arylpyrazolone series

Acylation of ethyl acetoacetate with mesogenic para-substituted benzoyl chlorides, followed by cleavage of ethyl aroylacetoacetates thus obtained under basic conditions, gave the corresponding ethyl 3-aryl-3-oxopropanoates which were brought into condensations with hydroxylamine and hydrazine to obtain mesogenic 3-arylisoxazolones and 3-arylpyrazolones, respectively.     

Description of the even-odd alternation of the clearing temperatures over homologous series of mesogens by second-order differential equations

It is shown for liquid crystals of various chemical classes that the nematic-isotropic transition temperatures in homologous series of compounds undergoing enantiotropic transitions are described by secondorder inhomogeneous recurrent equations with constant coefficients: T(n + 2) = aT(n + 1) + bT(n) + c (n is the number of alkyl carbon atoms). Solutions of the corresponding differential equations as T(n) functions allow reproduction of the even-odd alternation of the clearing temperatures.