Mesophase behaviour in fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon polyesters

Abstract

A series of liquid crystalline main chain polyesters has been synthesized in which mesogenic, linear perfluoroalkyl groups are linked to aliphatic hydrocarbon chains. The liquid crystalline phase appears to be smectic B from X-ray diffraction data. Interesting differences in the mesophase transition temperatures and enthalpies are observed along the series, as the hydrocarbon and perfluoroalkyl contents are changed. These are discussed in relation to the length of the segments. One polymer was also synthesized from biphenyl-4,4′-dicarboxyic acid for comparison with the polyesters prepared using aliphatic dicarboxylic acids.