Abstract
We prepared 4-(4'-octyloxy)biphenyl p-nitrobenzoate (8OBNB) as a liquid crystalline molecule bearing a strong electron acceptor. The absorption spectra of 8OBNB and its model compounds were measured to evaluate the intra- and intermolecular charge-transfer characteristics of 8OBNB. 8OBNB showed smectic A phase in a wide temperature range. In addition to a weak intramolecular charge-transfer interaction of 8OBNB, a marked intermolecular charge-transfer absorption was observed between 8OBNB and N-phenyldiethanolamine as an electron donor. The polarization dependence of the absorption of 8OBNB in alingned cells was also measured and discussed.
