Ferroelectric liquid crystals containing 2(S)-[2(S)-methylbutoxy]propionic acid or 2(S)-[2(S)-methylbutoxy]propanol moiety

Abstract

New chiral compounds, 2(S)-[2(S)-methylbutoxy]propionic acid (1) and 2(S)-[2(S)-methylbutoxy]propanol (2), were synthesized from natural ethyl lactate and (S)-1-iodo-2-methylbutane. They contain two chiral centers and are useful chiral building blocks for preparing ferroelectric liquid crystal materials. The Ps value of new FLCs at Tc - T = 10 °C is up to 156 nC/cm². The structure-physical property relationship is discussed.