Conformation,ordering and mobility of macromolecules in aromatic polyesters as studied by IR and solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Thermotropic main-chain LC polyesters have been studied with the aid of IR and NMR spectroscopy. Rigid mesogens and mesogens with a possibility of conformational isomerism were examined. The dependence of the order parameters of the mesogens and spacers on the chemical structure of the polymer has been determined. The IR spectroscopy data and the data of the calculation of the possible conformations of the mesogen and the spacer confirm the theoretical predictions about the straightening of macromolecules in the anisotropic melt. Solid-state ²H NMR spectra show that p-oxybenzoic rings adjacent to a flexible spacer are more mobile than inner terphthalic rings. In decamethylene spacer the contrary holds true: the mobility of inner methylene groups is more marked than that of the α-methylene groups bound to the mesogen.