Molecular design of nematic liquid crystalline polyolefins

Abstract

The liquid crystalline phase of polyolefins was first discovered in poly(methylene-1,3-cyclopentane) (PMCP), obtained by cyclization polymerization of 1,5-hexadiene (HD) using a zirconocene catalyst. PMCPS clearly show fluidity and briefrigence above the glass transition temperature, and the texture derives from nematic liquid crystalline phase. The high cyclization selectivity of HD units and high trans-content of 1,3-cyclopentane unit are needed to induce the liquid crystalline phase.