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Title: Nonsymmetric bent-core liquid crystals based on a 1,3,4-thiadiazole core unit and their nematic mesomorphism

Journal Article · · Chem. Mater.
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/cm200643u· OSTI ID:1047313

The synthesis and thermotropic properties of novel V-shaped molecules having a central 1,3,4-thiadiazole core with a bend-angle of 160 degrees are reported. The compounds consist of a shape-persistent oligo(phenylene ethynylene) scaffold with lateral alkyloxy substituents. One of the terminal aromatic units possesses an alkoxy chain capped by an ethyl ester group while the second terminus is a pyridyl group. They exhibit enantiotropic nematic phases and are characterized by polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction. Results from conoscopy indicate a biaxial nature of the nematic phase near room temperature. DFT calculations of dipole moments and molecular polarizabilities are used to substantiate the experimental findings.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)
Sponsoring Organization:
FOREIGNDOE - BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES
OSTI ID:
1047313
Journal Information:
Chem. Mater., Vol. 23, Issue (10) ; 05, 2011; ISSN 0897-4756
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH