Abstract
Six series of tolane-based fluorinated liquid crystals containing an acrylate linker were synthesized and their mesomorphic properties were characterized. The compounds generally exhibit SmA and N phases in wide temperature ranges. The introduction of acrylate linkers increases the clearing points by 20°C–30°C and suppresses the formation of higher ordered monotropic SmB phases. para-Fluorination is favorable for the mesophase stability, whereas meta-fluorination is not. The introduction of a 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenylene group decreases the clearing points and also suppresses the formation of the monotropic SmB phase.
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Acknowledgment
This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Notes
Cr = crystal; SmA = smectic A phase; SmB = smectic B phase; SmC = smectic C phase; N = nematic phase; I = isotropic liquid; Recr = recrystal.