Synthesis and Mesomorphic Behavior of Calamitic Liquid Crystals with a Biphenyl Moiety

Abstract

A new mesogenic homologous series having a biphenyl moiety has been synthesized by condensing 4-hydroxy-4′-nitrobiphenyl- and methoxy-substituted 4-n-alkoxy cinnamoyl chlorides, and their liquid crystalline properties have been studied. All the members of the series are enantiotropic liquid crystals. The methyl to n-pentyl derivatives exhibit both Smectic A (SmA) and Nematic (N) phases; the higher members, starting with the n-hexyl derivative show only a SmA phase. The plot of transition temperatures versus number of carbon atoms in the alkoxy chain exhibits zig-zag pattern for Sm-N and N-Isotropic (Iso) transition temperature curves. The average thermal stability is compared with other related homologous series. The introduction of polar nitro group increases significant intermolecular force of attraction which stabilizes the molecular orientation. This results into the increase in the thermal stability of the system.

• Keywords Biphenyl moiety
• calamitic liquid crystals
• cinnamates
• nematic
• smectic

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Prof. N.D. Kulkarni, Head, Department of Chemistry, The M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara, for taking interest in the work and providing necessary facilities. One of the authors (N.K.P.) is thankful to UGC, New Delhi, for financial assistance.