The effect of different arms on the properties of chiral branched-arm liquid crystals based on isosorbide as the chiral core
A new series of two-arm (
MA1
,
MA2
), four-arm (
MA3
) and six-arm (
MA4
) chiral liquid crystalline compounds containing isosorbide as the chiral core were synthesised. Four precursors
of branched-arm
A1–A4
were first obtained, and then were esterised separately with isosorbide to obtain four chiral branched-arm liquid crystals (
MA1–MA4
). The structure and properties have been characterised.
The results show that
MA1
was smectic–cholesteric phase with a fan-like and oily streak texture;
MA2–MA4
showed a cholesteric phase with oily streak texture, or lined texture and finger print texture. Isosorbide
successfully induced a cholesteric phase. The melting point and clearing point values for
MA1–MA4
first increased and then decreased. The branched-arm and chiral core quantity affected the liquid crystalline properties. At the same time, the difference
in side-arms resulted in different directions of rotation.
MA1–MA2
showed right-handed rotation and had selective reflection;
MA3–MA4
demonstrated left-handed rotation and did not have selective reflection.
Keywords: branched-arm liquid crystal; cholesteric; selective reflection; synthesis
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: Centre for Molecular Science and Engineering,Northeastern University, Shen-yang, People's Republic of China
Publication date: 01 June 2012
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