Synthesis and physical properties of novel liquid crystal oligomers possessing polar terminal groups

Abstract

A homologous series of novel liquid crystal oligomers possessing 4‐fluorobiphenyl and 4‐trifluoromethoxyphenyl benzoate moieties was prepared and the physical properties investigated. The dimesogenic compounds, 4‐trifluoromethoxyphenyl 4‐{6‐[4‐(4‐fluorophenyl)phenyloxy]alkoxy}benzoates, exhibited nematic (N) and smectic A (SmA) phases. Pronounced odd–even effects were seen, not only for the phase transition but also for the induced dielectric anisotropy in the N phase of the mixture with a host material, on varying the spacer length of the dimeric compounds. The λ–shaped trimesogenic compound, 4‐trifluoromethoxyphenyl 3,4‐bis{6‐[4‐(4‐fluorophenyl)phenyloxy]hexyloxy}benzoate, was found to show monotropic N and SmA phases. We discuss oligomeric effects of the mesogenic moieties on the phase transition behaviour, and on the induced dielectric anisotropy.