Abstract
The theoretically predicted optimum length/breadth/width ratio for maximizing shape biaxiality was investigated experimentally by the facile and successful synthesis of cross-shaped compound 3, which showed enantiomeric nematic phase behavior. This cross-like core structure could alternatively be viewed as two fused V-shaped mesogens, which have recently immerged as a new direction in biaxial nematic research, at the bending tips that can act as a new structure for biaxial investigations. Whilst the thermal analysis data of compound 3 did not meet the expected theoretical values for biaxial nematics, surface-induced biaxiality was evidenced by optical studies. Cluster-size analysis within the nematic phase of compound 3 revealed the formation of meta-cybotactic nematics, which approached the cluster sizes of cybotactic nematics. The split small-angle 2D X-ray diffraction patterns of magnetic-field-aligned samples indicated that the nematic phase was composed of small smectic C-like clusters with the tilting of molecules within the clusters. The wide-temperature-range enantiomeric nematic phase of cross-like compound 3 enabled the molecular skeleton to serve as an alternative skeleton to bent-rod mesogens, which exhibited nematic phases with the potential competition of transitions to higher-order liquid-crystalline phases and crystallization, for future biaxial investigations. Take up your cross: An enantiotropic nematic phase with a wide temperature range has been achieved by using cross-like mesogens. Biaxiality investigations by using conoscopic and 2D XRD studies imply the formation of small smectic C-like meta-cybotactic clusters in the nematic arrangement.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 9543-9551 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Chemistry - A European Journal |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 31 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 27 07 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- X-ray diffraction
- arenes
- liquid crystals
- mesogens
- nematic phase