Analysis of Molecular Behavior in Liquid Crystals Using Spin-Label Method

Abstract

We have synthesized spin-labeled liquid crystalline compounds, one of which shows a cybotactic nematic (Ncyb) phase. X-ray diffractometry and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of the new compound around the Ncyb phase to analyze the molecular orientation and intermolecular interactions in the phase. The results indicate that the molecules move in and out of the cybotactic cluster fast enough to average the magnetic interactions.