Structural analysis by X-ray diffraction of a non-polar alkenyl liquid crystalline compound

Abstract

The crystal and molecular structure of a non-polar alkenyl nematogen 4-(3″-pentenyl)-4′-(ethoxy)-1,1′-bicyclo-hexane (PEBCH) have been determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in the form of a non-centrosymmetric orthorhombic cell with dimensions 4–7095(10), 17–8195(2), 21–1616(19)Å, space group P2₁2₁2₁ and 4 molecules in the unit cell. A parallel imbricated type of molecular arrangement is observed in the crystalline state as a precursor to the nematic phase. Molecular packing and phase sequences are compared with two related mesogenic compounds.