Synthesis and HTP of chiral dopants having optically active 2-phenylpropanoic acid derivative's frames

Abstract

New chiral dopants for nematic liquid crystals were synthesized using optically active 2-phenylpropanoic acid derivatives, and phenylcyclohexane cores. Chiral nematic liquid crystal mixtures were prepared by adding 1 wt% of chiral dopant into an achiral host liquid crystal mixture (ZLI-1132). The helical piches of the chiral nematic phase were measured using Cano-wedge cell. The magnitude of helical twisting power (HTP) was largely influenced by the structure of the 2-phenylpropanoic acid frames, the phenylcyclohexane cores, and the linkages between the asymmetric frame and the core moiety. The relationship between the HTP and the chiral dopant structures was studied.