Study of the influence of ester orientation on the thermal stability of the smectic C phase: experimental investigation

Abstract

Two series of mesogenic molecules of variable terminal chain lengths have been synthesised and characterised. The molecules feature a tolane‐based rigid core surrounded by two esters groups. The two series differ from each other only by the orientation of an ester linker. Their mesogenic properties have been characterised and are reported. It is found that the orientation of the ester linker and the length of the terminal chain greatly influence their polymorphism. Binary mixtures of the two series have been prepared and their phase diagrams are also reported. They offer some insight at the role of the side chains in the formation of the S_C phase.

Keywords:

• ester orientation
• binary mixture
• phase diagram
• polymorphism

Acknowledgement

The present work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada and Université de Sherbrooke. Computations have been made available thanks to the Canadian Fund Innovation (CFI) and the Fonds Québécois de la Recherche sur la Nature et les Technologies (FQRNT).