Effect of the chain length on the thermal and analytical properties of laterally biforked nematogens

Three laterally substituted liquid crystals were synthesized in order to investigate the effect of a lateral biforked chain on the thermal and analytical properties. The mesogenic molecules have the same core containing four aromatic rings connected by two ester and one diazo linkages, they differ by the length of one chain within the lateral biforked substituent. The phase transition temperatures were obtained by polarized light microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The clearing temperature and the nematic range decrease with increasing length of the lateral biforked chain. The stationary phases derived from these nematogens provide excellent resolution of various classes of compounds, including aromatic hydrocarbons (AH), substituted benzenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), phenols and volatile organic compounds (VOC) present in the essential oils. The selectivities of the stationary phases were found to decrease according to the length of the side chain.

Analytical performances of two liquid crystals and their mixture as stationary phases in capillary gas chromatography

Comparative gas chromatographic applications of two new liquid crystals called LCa and LCb and their equimolar mixture LC(a+b) were investigated. The thermal properties of LCa, LCb and LC(a+b) were established with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry of LC(a+b) showed that the melting or clearing temperature was intermediate between the corresponding temperatures of the pure compounds. Polarizing microscopy showed that the liquid crystal phase of A + B was nematic. The chromatographic separation abilities LCa, LCb and LC(a+b) were studied using fused silica capillary columns. Interesting analytical performances were obtained: isomeric separation of aromatics, polyaromatics, phenols.

Liquid-crystalline stationary phases for gas chromatography

Physico-chemical properties of new liquid-crystalline stationary phases (LCSPs) for gas chromatography are reviewed. The mechanism of chromatographic separation on liquid-crystalline stationary phases is discussed and examples of analyses of complex mixtures of organic compounds using capillary and packed columns are given.

Synthesis, characterization and liquid chromatographic behaviours of a new chemically bonded liquid crystal

A new bonded liquid crystal stationary phase (2OC12) for high-performance liquid chromatography was studied. It resulted from coupling of LiChrospher Si 100 NH2 and a mesogenic carboxylic acid, 4-(4-(4-(3,4-didoceyloxystyrenyl)phenyl-diazenyl)phenyloxy-methylene) benzoic acid (ILC). ILC was characterized with proton NMR and differential scanning calorimetry, while 2OC12 was characterized by solid state 13C NMR and elemental analysis. 2OC12 surface area was determined by the BET method. The chromatographic behaviour of 2OC12 was investigated under both normal- and reversed-phase conditions. The plots of ln k against 1/T showed transition temperatures at 325 and 337 K. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were separated using hexane, isooctane or hexane-chloroform. Above the transition temperatures, the bonded material exhibited a liquid crystal-like behaviour: (i) the plate number N was always highest possible, and (ii) the more retained the solute the more elongated it was (anthracene is eluted after phenanthrene, chrysene before tetracene, pentacene after dibenzo-a,h-anthracene). Using acetonitrile/water (60/40), reversed-phase data of aromatic hydrocarbons are similar (highest values of N, better resolution below than during the transitions).

Synthesis and properties of two new liquid crystals: an analytical and thermodynamic study

Synthesis, analytical performances, thermodynamic and surface properties of two new liquid crystals substituted with poly(ethylene oxide) chains are described. The first of them is N,N'-diphenyl-[4-[2,3,4-tri[2-(2-metoxyethoxy)ethoxy]benzylidene]i mine]piperidine (LC1) and the second is 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-4-[4-[2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethoxy]] 4'-[4-[2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethoxy]styryl]azobenzene (LC2). The nematic ranges of the two liquid crystals, determined by differential scanning calorimetry do not interfere. The analytical and thermodynamic studies of LC1 and LC2 in the solid, nematic and liquid state were done using a series of appropriate solutes. Comparison of the analytical performances shows a better efficiency in the nematic state.