Asymmetric synthesis of a highly soluble ‘trimeric’ analogue of the chiral nematic liquid crystal twist agent Merck S1011

The Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation has been utilised to synthesise a new glassy chiral dopant with large helical twisting power (β) and remarkable solubility in nematic liquid crystal hosts. Values of β range between +30.7 and +47.7 μm^?1 in five different nematic hosts. A 26% mixture in E7 is homogenous indefinitely and induces a room-temperature blue phase.