New self-organised benzo[b]thiophene-based materials for GHz applications

Abstract

ABSTRACT This research delves into the synthesis and characterisation of novel liquid crystal compounds derived from benzo[b]thiophene cores, focusing on their potential applications in microwave technology. Two synthetic strategies were developed to construct rigid cores, resulting in the successful synthesis of 10 compounds with varied terminal groups and lateral substituents. Correlations between molecular structure and mesomorphic properties were elucidated through extensive comparative analysis. Birefringence measurements and quantum chemical calculations further provided insights into the optical properties and polarisability anisotropy of the synthesised compounds. The results highlight the influence of structural diversity on the compounds’ suitability for microwave applications. Specifically, compounds featuring carbon–carbon triple bonds and polar terminal groups demonstrated enhanced birefringence and polarisability values, indicating their potential in microwave device fabrication. This study underscores the importance of molecular design in optimising liquid crystal materials for advanced technological applications.