Synthesis and characterization of laterally substituted bis(alkoxybenzoyloxy)hydroquinones

A new series of laterally substituted bis(alkoxybenzoyloxy)hydroquinone compounds has been synthesized and their mesomorphic properties studied. A number of hydroquinone compounds were synthesized with terminal n -alkoxy chains ranging from n -butyloxy to n -decyloxy. Additionally, lateral substituents ranging from n -butyl to n -octyl were incorporated through esterification at the remaining unsubstituted phenolic oxygen atoms. By optimizing the combination of the end group and lateral moieties we were able to tailor the molecular structure to form different liquid crystalline phases.