Abstract
A series of new thermotropic liquid crystals (LCs) containing azobenzene units was synthesized. The structures of the compounds were characterized by means of NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. Their mesomorphic behaviors were investigated via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM). Based on the POM and DSC measurements, the optical properties of the Razo-ester were tested using UV-vis spectroscopy. The azobenzene side chain displayed a strong ability to influence the formation of thermotropic LCs.
Highlights
Liquid–crystalline materials have been applied for optical information displays and storage devices, as the modulation of the liquid-crystalline phase’s molecular alignment can be controlled by external stimuli, such as heat, electric fields, and light [1,2,3]
The synthetic route for compounds 2a–d with azobenzene moiety and different side chains is outlined in Scheme 1
The chemical structures of these compounds were characterized using a combination of 1 H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy
Summary
Liquid–crystalline materials have been applied for optical information displays and storage devices, as the modulation of the liquid-crystalline phase’s molecular alignment can be controlled by external stimuli, such as heat, electric fields, and light [1,2,3]. Azobenzene and its derivatives are photoisomerizable materials that undergo a reversible transformation between trans and cis isomers in the presence of light. Liquid crystals (LCs) containing an azobenzene moiety, either of low molar mass or polymeric in nature, have attracted tremendous attention as a result of their light-induced, photo-switchable, and elastic properties [4,5,6]. The introduction of reversible trans–cis photoisomerization of azobenzene can exert large effects on the properties of LCs [7,8,9,10]. Study of LC’s incorporation of azobenzene moiety has been developing [11,12]. Tomczyk synthesized a new class of star-shaped, liquid-crystalline functionalized with photochromic azobenzene and mesogenic groups, and investigated its light-induced anisotropy [13]
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