Thermotropic liquid crystalline properties of 1,2Ψ,ω-n-alkan-tetraols

Abstract

A homologous series of biamphiphilic 1,2Ψω-alkan-tetraols has been synthesized. They form lamellar thermotropic liquid crystalline phases which have been studied by polarizing optical microscopy, as well as by X-ray investigations. Those compounds with a rather long polymethylene chain between the two diol groups exhibit a lamellar α phase and an additional low temperature mesophase, Whereas short chain derivatives exhibit only the low temperature mesophase. From X-ray measurements, we conclude that this low temperature mesophase is a highly ordered phase in which the chains are rigid and tilted with respect to the hydrogen bonding networks.