Development of New Chiral Molecules with High Torsional Strength

Abstract

When a photoresponsive chiral molecule is added to a nematic liquid crystal, a cholesteric liquid crystal with a helical structure is formed. The force that induces the helical structure is called helical twisting power (HTP). We have reported reversible light switching in transparent and light-scattered states based on the phase transition between the compensated nematic and cholesteric phases. The development of chiral molecules with large HTPs and ΔHTPs is essential to achieve highly efficient switching. In this study, we synthesize several molecules with alkyl chains and liquid crystalline molecules introduced into the naphthalene ring and study the effect of substituents on torsional forces.