Biphenylbenzoates: Synthesis and Thermodynamic Properties

Two homologous series of twelve compounds each of biphenylbenzoates have been synthesised and their mesomorphic properties characterised. Heats of transition for both series of compounds have also been measured using differential scanning calorimetry. In the biphenyl 4-p-n-alkoxybenzoate series the first few members are monotropic nematic and the higher ones exhibit enantiotropic nematic as well as smectic phases, whereas in the biphenyl 4-p-n-alkyl benzoate series only the monotropic nematic phase is observed. In both series of compounds the plot of the nematic-isotropic transition temperature against the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain exhibit smooth curve relationships.