Naphthyl benzoates versus phenyl benzoates A molecular structure-liquid crystal and ferroelectric behaviour relationship study

A comparative study of the liquid crystal and ferroelectric properties of several achiral, racemic and non-racemic 2,6-naphthyl benzoates and their 1,4-phenyl benzoate analogues is reported. In terms of pure compounds, both central core structures give rise to similar mesophase sequences; however, the naphthalene derivatives exhibit broader and more thermally stable liquid crystalline states. On the other hand, both central core units give rise to equivalent electric and optoelectronic properties when the compounds are used as chiral dopants in ferroelectric liquid crystal mixtures.