Mesomorphism dependence on molecular rigidity and substitution of same functional group on lateral or terminal position of tailed phenyl ring

ABSTRACT

Novel liquid crystal materials (LCs) of low temperature range (53°C to 75°C) have been synthesized through a series of chalconyl derivatives consisting of two phenyl rings bonded through a –CH˭CH‒CO‒ central bridge to study the effect of molecular structure on LC properties in general and with a focus on molecular rigidity. The novel homologues series (C₁ to C₁₈) consists of thirteen homologues with general formula RO‒C₆H₄‒CH˭CH‒CO‒C₆H₄‒OC₁₀H₂₁(n) (meta). The C₁, C₂, C₃ homologues are nonliquid crystals (NLC) and the rest of the homologues (C₄ to C₁₈) are either monotropic or enantiotropic liquid crystals. C₄ to C₆ homologues are enantiotropicnematic and the rest of the mesomorphic homologues are (C₇ to C₁₈) monotropicsmectic in addition to monotropicnematic character. Transition and melting temperatures including textures of homologues were determined by an optical polarizing (POM) microscopy equipped with a heating stage. Textures of a nematic phase are threaded or Schlieren, and that of the smectic phase are of the type Smectic A or C as judged directly from the heating top of the microscope. Thermal stability for smectic is very poor and of the nematic is (N-I) 69.3°C whose, total mesophase length ranges between 07.0 to 14.0°C at C₈ and C₄ homologues respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• Chalconyl ester
• Liquid crystals
• Nematic
• Smectic

Acknowledgments

Authors acknowledge thanks to Dr. R.R. Shah, principal and management of K. K. Shah Jarodwala Maninagar Science College, Ahmedabad. Authors are also thankful to Dr. A.V. Doshi, Ex-principal of M.V.M. Science and Home Sci. College-Rajkot for his constant support, inspirations, help, and valuable comments and suggestions, as and when needed during the course of present investigation. Authors also thank to Centre of Excellence Rajkot for the spectral and analytical services.