The SmCP_A phase in five‐ring bent‐core compounds derived from 5‐methoxyisophthalic acid

Abstract

The synthesis and mesophase characterization of a homologous series of five‐ring bent‐core compounds derived from 5‐methoxyisophthalic acid are described. Most of the compounds exhibit a polar antiferroelectric smectic C phase. Replacement of the terminal n‐alkoxy chains by n‐alkyl carboxylate groups, not only destabilizes the formation of mesophases but induces a calamitic mesophase. However, extension of the arms of the bent‐core molecule by a phenyl moiety stabilizes the switchable phase. The mesophases were investigated using a combination of polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction and electro‐optical methods.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Ms K. N. Vasudha for technical support, and NMR Research Center, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore for recording the NMR spectra.