Liquid Crystal Formation in Polar Terminal Groups Containing Liquid Crystalline Polymethacrylates with Novel Spacer Chains

Abstract

Side-chain liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) with acetyl, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl and methyl terminal groups into the mesogenic side chains were synthesized. LCPs have triblock spacer chains, which are composed of hexyloxy, ethylbenzoate, and aminoalkoxy units. Their thermal and orientation properties were examined. LCPs with an acetyl terminal group formed a smectic A phase or a columnar mesophase. However, LCPs with nitro and cyano terminal groups formed only a nematic phase. Furthermore, LCPs with trifluoromethyl and methyl terminal groups did not form a liquid crystalline phase.