Effects of fluorination extent and direction of ester group in semiperfluorinated phenyl benzoate FLCs on mesomorphic properties

Abstract

An achiral semiperfluorinated chain has been introduced into classical phenyl benzoate mesogenic moieties in which the other terminal chain is chiral. The consequences of this modification on the mesomorphic properties are discussed. At a low fluorination extent, the smectic A phase is strongly favoured, while at high extents of fluorination the chiral smectic C phase is enhanced. The direction of the central ester linkage influences not only the phase diagram, but also the spontaneous polarization induction power.