Optically isotropic mesophase in comb-shaped copolymers with side mesogenic groups

Two series of comb-shaped copolymers poly(4-(4-cyanobiphenyl-4′-yloxy)butyl acrylate)-co-(4-(6-acryloyloxyhexyl-1-oxy)isophthalic acid)) and poly(4-(6-acryloyloxyhexyl-1-oxy)benzoic acid)-co-(acrylic acid)) have been prepared by free-radical copolymerization, and their phase diagrams have been constructed. Formation of the optically isotropic phase characterized by the absence of birefringence and high optical activity has been demonstrated for a number of copolymers. At the same time, the DSC curves of these compounds show a well-defined phase transition with the heat of melting equal to 2–5 J/g. Specific features of hydrogen bonding in the copolymers have been studied by IR spectroscopy. It has been speculated that there is correlation between microphase separation between hydrophobic and hydrophilic units in the copolymers and formation of the optically isotropic mesophase.