Binary Liquid Crystal Mixtures Based on Schiff Base Derivatives with Oriented Lateral Substituents

Vertical Alignment of Liquid Crystal on Sustainable 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenoxymethyl-Substituted Polystyrene Films

We synthesized sustainable 2,4-di-tert-butylphenoxymethyl-substituted polystyrenes (PDtBP#, # = 88, 68, 35, and 19, where # is molar percent contents of 2,4-di-tert-butylphenoxymethyl moiety), using post-polymerization modification reactions in order to study their liquid crystal (LC) alignment behaviors. In general, LC cells fabricated using polymer film with higher molar content of 2,4-di-tert-butylphenoxymethyl side groups showed vertical LC alignment behavior. LC alignment behavior in LC cell was related to the surface energy of the polymer alignment layer. For example, when the total surface energy value of the polymer layer was smaller than about 29.4 mJ/m2, vertical alignment behaviors were observed, generated by the nonpolar 2,4-di-tert-butylphenoxymethyl moiety with long and bulky carbon groups. Orientation stability was observed at 200 °C in the LC cells fabricated using PDtBP88 as the LC alignment layer. Therefore, as a natural compound modified polymer, PDtBP# can be used as a candidate LC alignment layer for environmentally friendly applications.

Mesomorphic Behaviour and DFT Insight of Arylidene Schiff Base Liquid Crystals and Their Pyridine Impact Investigation

A new series of Schiff base liquid crystal have been prepared and studied. Schiff bases of p-alkyl aniline derivatives and 4-phenyl pyridine-4′-carbaldehyde were prepared. The terminal alkyl groups substituting aniline are of varied chain length, namely C8, C12 and C14. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by 1H NMR and 13C NMR. The mesomorphic thermal and optical characteristics of the samples were determined via differential thermal analysis (DSC) and polarization optical microscopy (POM). All compounds exhibit enantiotropic dimorphic mesophase behaviour, referred to as smectic X1 (SmX1) and smectic X2 (Sm A). Experimental results obtained for the mesophases were correlated with density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculations. The results of the new series are further compared to two series of compounds bearing pyridine (two ring Schiff bases) and biphenyl, respectively, in their mesogens. The series of compounds of one pyridine ring are generally not mesomorphic. The results indicate that the alkyl chain length has a strong impact on the mesomorphic characteristics and thermal stabilities of the different mesophases. As a trend, the temperature ranges of both of smectic mesophases of all compounds are higher in new compounds bearing the 4-phenyl pyridine moiety. In addition, the total mesophase range is generally higher in the new compounds when compared to their biphenyl analogues. Finally, theoretical DFT calculations were performed to illustrate the experimental finding of the mesomorphic behaviour in terms of the molecular geometry and aromaticity, π–π stacking and LOL-π.

Synthesis, Mesomorphic and Computational Characterizations of Nematogenic Schiff Base Derivatives in Pure and Mixed State

Homolog series based on three aromatic rings bearing terminal alkoxy chain of various lengths named 4-(4-(alkoxy)phenylimino)methyl)phenyl nicotinate (An) were synthesized. The alkoxy-chain length changed between 6, 8 and 16 carbons. Mesomorphic and optical properties were carried out via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). Elemental analyses, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy were carried out to elucidate the molecular structures of the prepared derivatives. Mesomorphic results indicated that all the synthesized homologs (An) are monomorphic possessing the nematic (N) phase enantiotropically with wide thermal stability. Computational simulations were measured via density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculation tool. The estimated thermal and geometrical parameters are in agreement with the experimental data. By discussing the estimated parameters, it was found that the molecular architecture, dipole moment and the polarizability of the investigated compounds are highly affected by the length of the attached terminal flexible chain and the location of the nitrogen atom in the other terminal aromatic ring. Binary phase diagrams of two corresponding homologs with different proportionating terminals were constructed, and their binary phase physical properties were discussed in terms of the temperature range and stability of the N phase.

New Nitro-Laterally Substituted Azomethine Derivatives; Synthesis, Mesomorphic and Computational Characterizations

Two new homologues series, based on two rings of the azomethine central group bearing the terminal alkoxy group of various chain lengths, were prepared. The alkoxy chain length varied between 6 and 16 carbons. The other terminal wing in the first series was the F atom, and the compound is named N-4-florobenzylidene-4-(alkoxy)benzenamine (In). The second group of compounds included a lateral NO2 substituent in addition to the terminal F atom, named N-(4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzylidene)-4-(alkyloxy)aniline (IIn). Mesomorphic and optical properties were carried out via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). Elemental analyses, FT-IR, and NMR spectroscopy were carried out to elucidate the molecular structures of the synthesized groups. Mesomorphic investigations indicated that all the synthesized homologues (In) were monomorphic, possessing the smectic A (SmA) phase monotropically, while the second group (IIn) members were non-mesomorphic. The experimental data indicated that the formation of the mesophase is affected by the protrusion of the lateral nitro group. The disruption of the mesophase in the second group was attributed to the increase of its molecular width, which affects its lateral intermolecular interactions. The computational simulations were in agreement with the experimental data. On the other hand, the location of NO2 group within the molecular geometry increased the melting temperature of the molecule, and thus, affected their thermal and physical properties. By discussing the estimated parameters, it was found that the molecular architecture, the dipole moment, and the polarizability of the investigated compounds are highly affected by the electronic nature and position of the terminal and lateral substituents as well as their volumes.

New Rod-Like H-Bonded Assembly Systems: Mesomorphic and Geometrical Aspects

Experimental and geometrical approaches of new systems of mesomorphic 1:1 supramolecular H-bonded complexes (SMHBCs) of five rings are discussed. The H-bonding between 4-alkoxyphenylimino benzoic acids (An, as proton acceptor) and 4-(4′–pyridylazophenyl) 4′′-alkoxybenzoates (Bm, as proton donor) were investigated. Mesomorphic behaviors were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and mesophase textures were identified by polarized light microscopy (POM). H-bonded assembly was established by FT-IR spectroscopic measurements via Fermi band discussion. Thermal and theoretical factors were predicted for all synthesized complexes by density functional theory (DFT) predictions. The results revealed that all prepared complexes were monomorphic, with a broad range of smectic A phases with a high thermal stability of enantiotropic mesophase. Furthermore, DFT stimulations illustrated the experimental results in terms of the influence of the chain length either of the acid or the base component. Many parameters, such as the calculated stability, the dipole moment and the polarizability of the H-bonded complexes, illustrate how these parameters work together to enhance the smectic mesophases with the obtained stability and range.

Optical and Geometrical Characterizations of Non-Linear Supramolecular Liquid Crystal Complexes

Nonlinear architecture liquid crystalline materials of supramolecular 1:1 H-bonded complexes (I/II and I/III) were prepared through a self-assembly intermolecular interaction between azopyridine (I) and 4-n-alkoxybenzoic acid (II) as well as 4-n-alkoxyphenylazo benzoic acid (III). The H-bond formation of the prepared supramolecular hydrogen bonded (SMHB) complexes was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Optical and mesomorphic behaviors of the prepared complexes were studied by polarized optical microscopy (POM) as well as DSC. Theoretical calculations were performed by the density functional theory (DFT) and used to predict the molecular geometries of the synthesized complexes, and the results were used to explain the experimental mesomorphic and optical properties in terms of their estimated thermal parameters. Ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices as well as birefringence at different temperatures were investigated for each sample using an Abbe refractometer and modified spectrophotometer techniques. Microscopic and macroscopic order parameters were calculated for individual compounds and their supramolecular complexes.