Comparative study of liquid-crystalline cholesterol-containing acrylic and methacrylic polymers

Abstract

The novel monomers—cholesterol esters of N-acryloyl- ω-aminocaboxylic acids and their polymers have been synthesized. The results of a comparative study of the structure and properties of the polymers, polycholesterol acrylate and corresponding methacrylic derivatives show that liquid-crystalline polymers are obtainable through the attachment of mesogenic cholesterol groups to the main chain via methylene chains of side branches. The formation of liquid crystal structure takes place irrespective of the nature of the polymer main chain. An X-ray analysis of the liquid-crystalline polymers showed that their structure is determined solely by the mesogenic groups. Where the mesogenic groups are in the immediate vicinity of the main chain, the ability to form a liquid crystal structure depends on the nature of the main chain.