화학공학소재연구정보센터
Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals, Vol.397, 507-529, 2003
Monodispersive unsymmetrical tetramers exhibiting a columnar phase
Oligomeric liquid crystals that are formed by joining two or more mesogenic segments axially through a flexible spacer (or multiple spacers) seem to be interesting materials from the points of view of both basic research and practical applications owing to their in multifunctional characteristics and properties similar to those of polymers while retaining fluidity, viscosity etc. associated with those of low molar mass liquid crystals. The synthesis and evaluation of mesomorphic behavior of two novel monodispersive unsymmetrical tetramesogens have been presented here in detail. The molecular design of these tetramesogens incorporates the cholesteryl ester (as a chiral entity), biphenyl (as a supportive entity for mesomorphism), azobenzene (as a photoactive mesogen), and tolan (as a half-disc) segments interconnected through even-even-odd and odd-even-odd alkylene spacers. The target liquid crystalline tetramers have been realized by employing convenient synthetic strategies, which involves the preparation of two important unsymmetrical dimers and finally their condensation. The molecular structures of all the intermediates and unsymmetrical tetramers have been characterized by spectroscopic analyses. The mesomorphic property of both the unsymmetrical tetramers has been evaluated by optical microscopic, calorimetric and X-ray diffraction studies. Our study reveals that both oligomers show an identical mesophase. While X-ray studies suggest that the structure of the mesophase is similar to that of a rectangular columnar (Col(r)) mesophase; a pseudoisotropic texture was seen under the microscope.