Synthesis of stable and low melting ferroelectric liquid crystals of the ester family

Abstract

Three different series of chiral ester compounds, 4′-((S)2-methylbutyloxy)-phenyl 4-alkyloxybenzoates, 4′-((S)4-methylhexyloxy)phenyl 4-alkyloxybenzoates, and 4′-alkyloxyphenyl 4-((S)6-methyloctyloxy)benzoates, have been synthesized and their mesomorphism studied. Low melting compounds have been obtained, all showing a chiral smectic C phase in conjunction with various other mesophases, depending on the series. These new ferroelectric liquid crystals have a remarkable chemical stability.