Mesogenic Schiff base esters with benzothiazole core: synthesis and phase transition studies

A series of new rod-shaped mesomorphic compounds, 6-ethoxy-2-(4-alkanoyloxybenzylidenamino)benzothiazoles, consisting of a 2,6-disubstituted benzothiazole core and a Schiff base central linkage, were synthesized and their structures were ascertained via elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques. Their mesomorphic properties were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. All compounds showed enantiotropic mesomorphism. Whilst the lower members of the series, hexanoyloxy and octanoyloxy derivatives exhibited nematic phase, the higher members (decanoyloxy, dodecanoyloxy, tetradecanoyloxy, hexadecanoyloxy and octadecanoyloxy derivatives) exhibited nematic and smectic C phases.     

New mesogenic compounds possessing a biphenyl ester and ether moiety comprising 1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid: synthesis,characterisation and mesomorphic studies

New substituted derivatives of 5-vinyl-1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid were synthesised and evaluated for liquid crystal properties. Two sets of molecules were prepared. One end of all the molecules possesses the 1,3-dimethylbarbituric core. The first set comprises biphenyl ethers, 4a–n and the second set biphenyl esters, 5a–g. Liquid crystalline properties were investigated by POM and DSC techniques. All the compounds exhibited enantiotropic smectic A and nematic mesophases. The LC properties were found to depend on the spacer and terminal alkoxy- chain and alkoxy- ester moiety of the molecules. Smaller alkyl chain members showed a smectic phase, while higher alkyl chain members showed a nematic phase.     

Influence of terminal substituent on non-linear S-shaped oligomers consisting of azobenzene moieties at the peripheral arm: Synthesis,characterisation and phase transition behaviour

A series of symmetrical S-shaped mesogens based on 4,4′-bis-(6-bromohexyloxy)biphenyl as a central unit containing two 2-{6-[4-(4-substitutedphenylazo)phenoxy]hexyloxy}phenol as side-chain groups has been successfully synthesised. The terminal substituent was varied from halogen (X = F, Cl, Br and I) to non-halogen (X = C₂H₅ and OC₂H₅). The oligomers with C₂H₅ and OC₂H₅ substituents exhibit predominantly the monotropic nematic (N) phase. The OC₂H₅-containing derivatives possess long-range stability of N phase than its C₂H₅-containing analogue in which it has small range of N phase stability. As for halogen-containing analogues, oligomer with F exhibits monotropic N phase whilst oligomers with Cl and Br exhibit monotropic N and smectic A (SmA) phases. In addition, homologue with Br shows additional phase which is smectic B (SmB) phase upon further cooling. However, the oligomers in which F, Cl and Br were substituted by I exhibits purely monotropic SmA and SmB phases. X-ray diffraction measurements reveal that the smectic phase is inclined to the monolayer structure.     

Novel Fluorometric Turn On Detection of Aluminum by Chalcone-Based Chemosensor in Aqueous Phase

A novel, 100% water-soluble chalcone based chemosensing receptor {1-[3-(2-Hydroxy-phenyl)-3-oxo-propenyl]-naphthalen-2-yloxy}-acetic acid, L was synthesized and characterized. The receptor L is designed based on the chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) mechanism. The chemosensing properties of L were evaluated by UV–vis and fluorescence spectrometric methods. It exhibits highly selective recognition ability towards aluminum ions in water over other metal ions. The binding stoichiometry of L? Al³⁺ complex is 2:1 by means of Job’s plot and the detection limit is 5.66?×?10^??8 M.     

Mesomorphic behaviors of a series of heterocyclic thiophene-imine-ester-based liquid crystals

The synthesis and characterization of a series of heterocyclic liquid crystal, 4-{[(thiophen-2-yl)methylidene]amino}phenyl 4-alkoxybenzoates possessing even number of carbon atoms at the alkoxy chain (C_nH_2n+1O-, n = 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18) are reported. The molecular structures of title compounds were elucidated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopic techniques along with mass spectrometric analysis. The phase behavior of these compounds was characterized and studied by differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. All members exhibited enantiotropic nematic phase except for the highest member (n = 18) which is a non-mesogen. Influence of alkoxy chain length on the transition temperatures of crystal-to-nematic (melting point) and nematic-to-isotropic (clearing point) was studied. Nematic phase range was found to increase from n = 6 to n = 10, then it started to descend from n = 12 to n = 16 and finally the nematic phase disappeared when n changed to 18.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of 4-(4-bromopropyloxy)-4’-(4-alkyloxybenzylidene)anilines

This article describes the preparation and liquid crystalline properties of a new homologous series of 4-（4-bromopropyloxy）-4’- （4-alkyloxybenzylidene）anilines in which the phenyl ring is armed by a bromopropyloxy chain.The thermal behavior and mesomorphic properties of the synthesized compounds were studied with particular attention given to the correlation between their phase transition temperatures and anisotropic change influenced by molecular structure.All the members displayed enantiotropic smectic phase except for the homologue with the longest alkyloxy chain(R = C₁₈H₃₇),exhibiting only monotropic characteristic. The presence of bromine atom from the propyloxy side chain is found to be capable of altering and influencing the mesomorphic properties.     

Smectogenic properties of N,N'-bis[(2-hydroxy-4-alkoxyphenyl)methylene]benzene-1,4-diamine liquid crystals with double lateral H-bonds

A series of eight liquid crystalline compounds, N,N'-bis[(2-hydroxy-4-alkoxyphenyl)methylene]benzene-1,4-diamines, has been synthesized and characterized. These homologous compounds differ in the length of terminal alkyl group C _n H_2n+1 wherein n is an even number ranging from 4 to 18. The spectroscopic techniques, FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR, were employed to characterize the molecular structure. The transition temperatures of all the title compounds and their mesophases were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing microscopy. All the compounds were smectogenic, exhibiting both tilted and non-tilted molecular orientation in their smectic phases. Further investigation to ascertain the anisotropic nature of subphases within the smectogenic region was carried out using X-ray diffraction.     

Elementary school students engaging in making generalisation: a glimpse from a Singapore classroom

This article reports on the generalisation strategies used by students in a grade five class in an elementary school in Singapore and the factors that seemed to influence the use of these strategies. Each student completed a novel task that required generalisation after which they were interviewed. The findings indicated that the students were using strategies that had been reported in the literature. However, this study was able to provide further understanding into factors that influence generalisation strategy use, which included: (1) the ability to see structures and relationships; (2) prior knowledge; (3) metacognitive strategies; (4) critical-thinking strategies; (5) the use of organizing heuristics such as a table; (6) the use of simplifying heuristics such as trying out simpler cases; (7) task familiarity; and (8) technology.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic behaviours of a homologous series of 2-(4-alkyloxybenzylidenamino)benzothiazoles

The synthesis and characterisation of a series of new rod-shaped liquid crystal (LC), 2-(4-alkyloxybenzylidenamino)benzothiazoles possessing even number of carbon atoms at the alkyloxy chain (C_nH_2n?+?1O-, n = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18) are reported. The molecular structures of title compounds were elucidated using FTIR and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques. The phase behaviour of these new compounds was characterised and studied by differential scanning calorimetry and polarising optical microscopy. Lower members (n = 2, 4 and 6) did not exhibit mesophase. Octyloxy derivative was monotropic LC. Enantiotropic smectic A phase was observed from n-decyloxy derivatives onward to the last homologous synthesised.