Evidence for lateral chain conformation change in the solid phase of substituted nematogens

A new homologous series of 4-(4-chlorobenzoyloxy)-2-alkoxy-3-methyl-4'-(4-trans-pentyl-cyclohexanoyloxy) azobenzenes has been synthesized. These compounds contain four rings in the main core, a lateral alkoxy branch and an adjacent lateral methyl group on one inner ring. They present a large nematic range and a solid-solid phase transition for the first members of the series. The crystal structures of two similar compounds containing a lateral butoxy chain have been solved. The HM4 compound (C₃₁H₃₃N₂O₅Cl) is derived from the series, but does not have the terminal pentyl chain while the PM4 compound (C₃₆H₄₃N₂O₅Cl) possesses this terminal chain. HM4 and PM4 crystallize, respectively, in P2₁/c (Z = 4) and P1 (Z = 2) space groups. The final reliability factors are R = 0.138 for HM4 (the terminal cyclohexyl ring is largely disordered) and R = 0.041 for PM4, for 2204 and 1963 observed reflections, respectively. The four ring central core is linear and rigid for both compounds. The conformation of the butyloxy side chain branched on one of the central phenyl rings is very dependent on the terminal substituent, as it is found in a largely bent conformation in HM4 and in an extended conformation in PM4. To monitor the lateral chain conformation in the solid and nematic phase, we have used the -OCH₂- resonance in the ¹³C MAS NMR spectra. The temperature dependence of this resonance has indicated that the solid-solid transition encountered for the first members of the series is associated with a change of the lateral chain conformation within the solid phase. At the solid-nematic transition, the change of the chain conformation involving the first segment of the lateral chain is far less pronounced. When this solid-solid phase transition disappears for the last members of the series, this change in the conformation occurs at the solid-nematic transition.