Aromatic liquid crystals with a trifluoromethyl group in the terminal chain for use in nematic LC mixtures

Abstract

A new class of compounds suitable for LCD applications has have synthesized, incorporating a trifluoromethyl group in the terminal alkoxy or alkenyloxy chain. These compounds fulfil many of the specifications for use in TN-LCDs. Compounds containing several aromatic rings were synthesized with a view to producing compounds of high birefringence. This aspect also included the synthesis of compounds containing a carbon-carbon triple bond. Materials with three phenyl rings were also prepared in an attempt to produce nematic liquid crystals with a high clearing point and a high birefringence. Molecules containing a lateral fluoro substituent were synthesized in order to generate a high positive value of the dielectric anisotropy, a low melting point and no smectic mesophases. A series of compounds incorporating a carbon-carbon double bond was prepared in an attempt to produce compounds with a high nematic clearing point and a high birefringence.