Synthesis and Liquid Crystal Behavior of a Novel Ester Homologous Series

Abstract

A novel ester homologous series of 4-[4’-n-alkoxy cinnamoyloxy] benzyl benzoates has been synthesized. The series consists of 12 homologues. Liquid crystal properties commence from the sixth member to the last member of the series with the exhibition of an enantiotropic nematic phase without the exhibition of any smectogenic mesophase. The remaining homologues do not exhibit liquid crystal behavior. The texture of the nematic phase is of the threaded or Schlieren type. The solid-nematic or isotropic transition curve adopts a zigzag path and the nematic-isotropic transition curve steeply rises and then falls in the phase diagram and behaves in normal manner. An odd–even effect is absent in the nematic-isotropic transition curve with an alteration of transition temperatures. The average thermal stability for the nematic mesophase is 153.1°C, and the nematogenic temperature ranges vary from 12°C to 50°C. Analytical data confirm the molecular structures of the homologues. The Liquid Crystal properties and transition temperatures were observed through an optical polarizing microscope, equipped with a heating stage. The mesomorphic characteristics of the novel ester series are compared with other, known and structurally similar series. The novel series is predominantly nematogenic with the absence of any smectogenic character, with relatively short mesophase temperature ranges and of the middle ordered melting type.