The influence of bulkiness of the amino acid residue on the liquid crystalline behaviours of some fluorinated compounds

Abstract

A series of fluorinated compounds with an amino acid residue are synthesized, which show smectic phases. The bulkiness of the side group of the amino acid residue plays an important role in the temperature ranges of the mesophases and clearing points. The compound with a glycine residue exhibits the widest mesomorphic temperature range. However, the compound with a cyclohexylglycine residue exhibits only a monotropicSmA phase. The phenyl groups of the amino acid residues also strongly affect the formation of mesophase. With decreasing the distance between the chiral center and the phenyl group, the temperature range of the mesophase decreases.