SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL FLUORINATED DIPHENYLDIACETYLENIC LIQUID-CRYSTALS

Abstract

Five series of asymmetric diphenyldiacetylenes containing a single fluorine, two fluorines or a trifluoromethyl group at one end and an alkyl, alkyloxy or alkenyloxy group on the other end, were prepared and characterized. Most of the 4-alkylphenyl-4'-fluorophenyldiacetylenes, 4-alkyloxyphenyl-4'-fluorophenyl-diacetylenes and 4-alkenyloxyphenyl-4'-fluorophenyldiacetylenes obtained exhibit an enantiotropic nematic phase and no smectic phase. However, most of the 4-alkyl-3', 4'-difluorodiphenyldiacetylenes, 4-alkenyloxy-3',4'-difluorodiphenyl-diacetylenes and 4-alkyl-4'-trifluoromethyldiphenyldiacetylenes show no meso-morphic behaviour. The effects of alkyl, alkyloxy, alkenyloxy, fluoro, 3,4-difluoro and trifluoromethyl end groups on the mesomorphic behaviour of the diphenyldiacetylenes prepared are discussed.