Microwave-assisted synthesis of novel mixed tail rufigallol derivatives

Microwave-assisted syntheses of five new series of rufigallol-based mesogens are reported with branched alkyl chains at the peripheral positions. The chemical structures of these newly synthesised compounds were determined by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ¹³C NMR, infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The thermotropic liquid crystalline properties were investigated by polarising optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffractometry. Most of the derivatives were found to be liquid crystalline over a wide temperature range.