The influence of alkyl chain branching on smectic C formation

Fifty-five esters were prepared to show the effect of altering the point of alkyl chain branching on smectic C thermal stability. Six types of ester system were studied. Moving the position of alkyl chain branching away from the main molecular core enhanced smectic C thermal stability; after about the third carbon this effect was minimal. Extending the alkyl chain after the point of chain branching gradually lowered the smectic C thermal stability.