Smectic behaviour of α,ω-alkanediol diesters of a partially fluorinated 4-dodecyloxybenzoic acid: the odd-even effect

ABSTRACT

Synthesis of a new series of mesogenic dimers and investigation of their liquid crystalline properties with thermal, optical and XRD methods is reported. Unlike dimeric mesogens studied to date, the presently reported dimers are derived from a single-ring mesogen containing a partially fluorinated dodecyl chain, which effects nanosegregation and formation of a lamellar phase. The reported four diesters with the odd-membered connecting alkyl chain exhibit a SmA phase. In contrast, two even-membered analogues have higher melting points and do not exhibit mesogenic behaviour.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Smectic phases
• fluorous effect
• dimers
• synthesis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Narodowe Centrum Nauki [2019/33/B/ST4/02807].