| Abstract: | Four closely related polyesters, with aromatic ester triads and decamethylene spacers, were prepared and characterized for their thermotropic liquid crystalline properties. Two of the polymers, which were based on linear biphenols, formed stable nematic phases, whereas one of the two based on nonlinear biphenols formed a poorly defined nematic phase; the other was not liquid crystalline. Several polymerization reactions and methods were evaluated and structure-property relationships of the polymers are discussed. The concept of “degree of liquid crystallinity” for polymers with poorly defined thermotropic behavior is considered. |
