Selected fluorosubstituted phenyltolanes with a terminal group: NCS, CN, F, OCF₃ and their mesogenic and dielectric properties and use for the formulation of high birefringence nematic mixtures to GHz and THz applications

ABSTRACT

Thirty laterally fluorosubstituted new 4-isothiocyanato-, 4-cyano-, 4-fluoro- and 4-(1,1,1-trifluorometoxy)-4′-(4-alkylphenyl)tolanes have been synthesised and their phase transition temperatures and enthalpies and electric permittivity have been measured. These data have been analysed together with data for earlier prepared similar compounds and with recently prepared analogously substituted 4″-alkyl-terphenyls. It was shown that some di-, tri- and tetra-fluorosubstituted 4-isothiocyanato- and 4-cyano-4′-(4-alkylphenyltolanes) are very useful components for the formulation of high birefringence (Δn up to 0.5 measured at 589 nm) and large temperature range nematic mixtures for photonic applications, especially in the infra-red, GHz and THz range of electromagnetic radiation. Three ways of formulation of high birefringence mixtures were proposed.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• High birefringence liquid crystals
• phenyl isothiocyanatotolane
• phenyl cyanotolane
• phenyl fluorotolane
• phenyl trifluoromethoxytolane
• dielectric anisotropy
• nematic mixtures

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Military University of Technology PBS 23-651.