Synthesis of multi-substituted axially chiral binaphthyl derivatives and their abilities as chiral inducers to liquid crystal

Abstract

We synthesized a series of axially chiral binaphthyl derivatives bearing liquid crystalline substituents at the n,n' positions (n = 3, 4 and 6) of the binaphthyl rings, and examined their abilities as chiral inducers to nematic or smectic C liquid crystal. It is found that the binaphthyl derivative with substituents at 6,6' positions has a relatively large helical twisting power and is the most favorable chiral inducer that can transfer the axial chirality to surrounding liquid crystals by virtue of its spatially expanded substituents.