Hengfeng Li

Synthesis and characterization of novel fluorinated bistolane-type liquid crystals

Three series of fluorinated bistolane-type liquid crystals have been synthesized. Their mesomorphic properties were studied by optical polarizing microscopy and DSC. These compounds exhibit only a broad nematic phase with high clearing points, wide phase transition temperatures and low melting points. The effects of lateral fluoro-substitution and the introduction of the tetrafluorophenylene moiety are discussed in detail.

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of fluorinated phenyl 4-[(4-n-alkoxy-2,3-difluorophenyl)ethynyl]benzoates

Three series of fluorinated phenyl 4‐[(4‐n‐alkoxy‐2,3‐difluorophenyl)ethynyl]benzoate liquid crystals have been synthesized. Their phase transition temperatures were measured by texture observation in a polarizing microscope and confirmed by DSC. Their mesomorphic properties and fluoro‐substituent effects were studied in detail.

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of fluoro-containing azobenzene liquid crystals

Four series of azobenzene liquid crystal compounds containing a fluorinated tolan unit have been synthesized. The mesomorphic behaviours of these compounds were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and optical polarizing microscopy. The compounds of these series exhibit a nematic, a smectic C or a smectic B phase. This investigation revealed that the alkoxy chain at the side of the azobenzene moiety plays a more important role in the formation of smectic phases than the one at the side of the tolan moiety.

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of resorcyl di[4-(4-alkoxy-2,3-difluorophenyl)ethynyl]benzoate: a novel achiral antiferroelectric banana-shaped mesogen

Two resorcyl di[4-(4-alkoxy-2,3-difluorophenyl)ethynyl]benzoate liquid crystals were prepared and their mesomorphic properties observed and measured. Achiral antiferroelectric phases were seen with increasing length of the hydrocarbon terminal chains.

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of 4-[(4n-alkoxy-2,3-difluorophenyl)ethynyl]phenyl fluoro-substituted benzoates

Three series of novel fluorinated liquid crystals containing a 2,3-difluorotolan unit have been synthesized. Their phase transition temperatures have been measured by texture observation in a polarizing microscope and confirmed by DSC. The influence of the lateral fluoro-substitution is discussed.

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of three- and four-ring liquid crystals containing cyclohexyl, phenyl and pyridyl units

Two series of 4-(3-alkoxycarbonylpyridyl-6-ethynyl)phenyl trans-4-n-alkylcyclohexylcarboxylates and 4-(3-alkoxycarbonylpyridyl-6-ethynyl)phenyl 4-(trans-4-n-alkylcyclohexyl)benzoates have been prepared. Their mesmorphic properties were observed and measured by polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The relationship between structures and properties is discussed, showing that the ferroelectric phase can be observed when chiral terminal chains exist.

Mesomorphic properties of 4-(polyfluoroalkoxycarbonyl)phenyl 4-(4-n-heptoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)benzoates

A series of 4-(polyfluoroalkoxycarbonyl)phenyl 4-(4-n-heptoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)benzoates were synthesized and observed using DSC and optical polarizing microscopy. The results show that they are not mesogens. Their mesomorphic properties were compared with similar compounds containing no aromatic fluorine substituents.A series of 4-(polyfluoroalkoxycarbonyl)phenyl 4-(4-n-heptoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)benzoates were synthesized and observed using DSC and optical polarizing microscopy. The results show that they are not mesogens. Their mesomorphic properties were compared with similar compounds containing no aromatic fluorine substituents.

Mesogens containing p-polyfluoro-m-nitrobenzoate and 2,3-difluorotolane groups

A series of 4-(4-n-heptoxy-2,3-difluorophenylethynyl)phenyl 3-nitro-4-polyfluoroalkoxybenzoate liquid crystals was synthesized and their phase transition behaviours were studied by optical polarizing microscopy and DSC. The results show that the mesogens containing long polyfluoroalkoxy chain tend to exhibit the smectic A phase.A series of 4-(4-n-heptoxy-2,3-difluorophenylethynyl)phenyl 3-nitro-4-polyfluoroalkoxybenzoate liquid crystals was synthesized and their phase transition behaviours were studied by optical polarizing microscopy and DSC. The results show that the mesogens containing long polyfluoroalkoxy chain tend to exhibit the smectic A phase.

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of mesogens containing (4-polyfluoroalkoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)ethynyl groups

Abstract Due to the activation of fluorine atoms in aromatic rings by four other fluorine atoms and a 4-ethynyl bond, polyfluoroalkoxy chains can be introduced into aromatic rings by direct nucleophilic substitution reaction using potassium carbonate as base to prepare 4-polyfluoroalkoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenylacetylenes. Seven compounds containing (4-polyfluoroalkoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)ethynyl groups have been prepared by catalytic reaction using bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium dichloride and copper(I) iodide as catalysts. Mesomorphic properties of target compounds were investigated by optical polarizing microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Mesophases were devalued by highly fluorinated alkoxy terminal chains compared with similar compounds whose terminal chains were not highly fluorinated.