The Effect of Alkyl Chain Length on Molecular Arrangement in Smectic A Phase in Liquid Crystals with Alkyl Chains at Both Terminal Positions

Abstract

The effect of alkyl and alkoxy chain lengths on the layer structure of smectic A phase has been examined by an X-ray diffraction measurement for four isomeric systems; 4-R-phenyl 4-(4-octyloxybenzoyloxy)benzoates (1), 4-octyloxyphenyl 4-(4-R-benzoyloxy)benzoate (2), 4-(4-R-benzoyloxy)phenyl 4-octyloxybenzoates (3) and 4-octyloxyphenyl 4-R-phenyl terephthalates (4), (R=alkoxy, alkyl). The results are discussed in terms of change in molecular properties due to replaccment of the ester groups.