Polymers containing substituted 2-phenyl-benzoxazole side-chain groups: Synthesis and phase behavior

The synthesis of substituted 2-phenyl-benzoxazoles has been accomplished by ring closure of Schiff bases. The compounds have been used as precursors of acrylic derivatives displaying LC properties: Four comb-like homopolymers have been obtained by radical catalysis from the acrylic monomers. The polymers have been characterized by ¹H-NMR, DSC, x-ray diffraction, viscometry, and polarizing microscopy. Three of the polymers exhibit liquid crystalline properties of smectic type. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.