Abstract

New non-symmetric liquid crystal dimers, N-(4-(n-(4-(benzothiazol-2-yl)phenoxy) alkyloxy) benzylidene)-2,4-difluoroaniline (DSFCn), containing two mesogenic core units of benzothiazole and benzylideneaniline were reported. The core system was connected by a flexible alkyl spacer, -(CH₂)_n-(where n =2-6, 8, 10, and 12). The spectroscopic techniques were employed to confirm the molecular structure of the title compounds. Differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy were used to study the mesomorphic properties of the synthesized compounds. Observation under crossed polarized light reveals that compounds (n = 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12) are purely nematogens. The nematic phase in the dimers are caused by the presence of the lateral fluorine atoms at the benzylideneaniline core. Mesophase thermal stability has been suppressed significantly by the fluorine atom at the lateral position which increased the molecular breadth and subsequently, results in weaker overall lateral intermolecular attraction. The structure-property relationships of the dimers were inferred through comparison of thermal properties of the present dimers with those of the earlier reported analogous that do not possess any lateral substituents.

Graphical Abstract