Determination of Latent Mesogenic Behavior in Nonmesogenic Compounds by Extrapolation Method

Abstract

A homologous series of 8-(4′-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy) quinolines were synthesized by established methods [5,6]. On evaluation by optical microscopy, none of the homologues were found to exhibit mesogenic behavior even in the monotropic condition. Then, each homologue (B) was mixed with a liquid crystal component (A) and binary systems were studied by optical microscopy. Solid–mesomorphic or isotropic–nematic transition temperatures of binary mixtures were determined and plotted to obtain the phase diagram for transition temperatures versus percentage composition of component (A). The nematic–isotropic transition curve was extrapolated to zero mole percentage of component (A) (100%B) to determine the latent transition temperature (LTT) of each nonmesomorphic homologue. The number of carbon atoms in the n-alkyl chain of each homologue versus LTT is plotted and a phase diagram is obtained. The isotropic–nematic transition curve behaves in a normal manner like a curve behaving for a typical nematogenic homologous series, including odd–even effects in its phase diagram. This method is useful to determine the probable temperature at which a nonmesogenic substance can show mesogenic behavior, provided a suitable condition is applied. Also, it is useful to correct the LTT of a homologue from the mesomorphic–isotropic transition curve.