Dependence of thermotropic mesomorphism on molecular flexibility of changing tail group

Abstract

ABSTRACTA novel chalconyl ester homologous series of liquid crystals has been synthesized and studied with a view to understanding and establishing the effect of molecular structure on liquid crystalline properties. Novel series consisted of 13 members (C1–C18) of a series. C1–C4 member of a series is nonliquid crystals and, the rest of the homolog members (C5–C18) are enantiotropically nematogenic with absence of smectogenic property. None of the homolog is monotropically mesomorphic. Transition and melting temperatures were determined by an optical microscope equipped with a heating stage. Textures of nematic phase are threaded or schlieren. Spectral and analytical data of selected members of a series confirms the molecular structures of homologues. Cr-N and N-I transition curves of a phase diagram behaved in normal manner with exhibition of odd-even effect of very short range as observed for N-I transition curve. Thermal stability for nematic is 122.0°C and the nematogenic mesophase ranges from 7.0°C to 38.0°C. Liquid crystal properties of a present series are compared with the structurally similar known homologous series.