Abstract
6/7-Membered ring systems with a methacryloyloxyalkoxy benzoate and their polymers were synthesized. The thermal behavior of the monomers and the polymers has been characterized using polarized light microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Monomers showed nematic phase and smectic A (SmA) phase and polymers showed SmA phase whereas troponoid polymers with a long alkoxy side chain exhibited SmA phases. The liquid crystalline phases were significantly affected by the length of the spacer and the alkoxy side chain. The number-average molecular weights (Mn) were determined by GPC using polystyrenes as standards. The Mn and the molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of each polymer were described.
