Physical properties of laterally fluorinated isothiocyanato phenyl‐tolane liquid crystals

Abstract

We have designed, synthesised and evaluated the physical properties of some high‐birefringence (Δn) isothiocyanato phenyl‐tolane liquid crystals. These compounds exhibit Δn ∼ 0.48–0.52 at room temperature and wavelength λ  =  633 nm. Laterally substituted fluorine atoms eliminate smectic phases and lower the melting temperature. The moderate melting temperature and very high clearing temperature make those compounds attractive for eutectic mixture formulation.

Keywords:

• high birefringence
• isothiocyanato phenyl‐tolanes
• eutectic mixtures

Acknowledgments

This work is supported by DARPA Bio‐Optics Synthetic Systems program under Contract No. W911NF04C0048, and NATO Programme Security Through Science, Collaborative Linkage Grant No. CBP.EAP.CLG 981323.