![Sample our Physical Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110819/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Physical-Sciences.jpg"})
Abstract
4‐(5‐Alkylthien‐2‐yl)phenyl 4‐alkoxybenzoates and 4‐(5‐cyanothien‐2‐yl)phenyl 4‐alkoxbenzoates are synthesised by using Pd (0) catalysed coupling reactions as key steps. The thermotropic liquid crystalline behaviour of these compounds is investigated using polarised optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Broad temperature ranges of nematic and/or smectic A mesophases are found in these compounds. The influence of the length of the alkoxy chains and molecular polarisability on the mesophase behaviours is discussed.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 20472070), the Yunnan Science Foundation (No. 2005E008M) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG).