Liquid Crystalline Catalysis¹ by Smectic B Solvents Transparent to near-U.V. Radiation

Abstract

The ASE quaternization reaction has been carried out in the smectic B phase of a new series of liquid crystals, labelled OS, in order to probe the occurrence of liquid crystalline-solvent effects. This reaction was not previously observed in ASE crystals and apparently is not attainable under any other conditions at the temperature and in the time scale of our experiment. The liquid crystalline catalysis is clearly displayed by the ability of OS smectic B solvent to promote the ASE quaternization. The kinetic data support the previously suggested, simple, bimolecular process for the ASE rearrangement in these mesophases. The phase diagrams of OS.44, OS.53 and OS.35 liquid crystals are reported and the B structure of their smectic phases has been demonstrated by X-ray diffraction studies.