The synthesis and transition temperatures of ester derivatives of 2-fluoro-4-hydroxy- and 3-fluoro-4-hydroxybenzonitriles also incorporating aliphatic ring systems

The synthesis and liquid-crystal transition temperatures of forty ester derivatives of 2-fluoro-4-hydroxybenzonitrile and 3-fluoro-4-hydroxybenzonitrile are reported. The esters contain the trans-1,4-disubstituted cyclohexane or the 1,4-disubstituted bicyclo[2.2.2]octane rings (some contain an additional phenyl ring). Many of the novel F-substituted esters exhibit substantially higher nematic-isotropic transition temperatures than the corresponding unsubstituted esters. The order of clearing points of these laterally substiuted esters differing only in the presence of a benzene ring and the above-mentioned rings id established.