Generation of Nematic Phases of Rod-like Molecules with a Large Lateral Dipole at the Molecular Center and Investigation of Their Molecular Packing Structures

Abstract

In rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules, the introduction of a dipole in the short-axis direction is challenging because it destabilizes the liquid crystalline state, but it is expected to improve the electric field response and to develop unique molecular packing structures. In this study, we synthesized rod-shaped molecules with two trifluoromethyl groups introduced at the molecular center and along in the molecular short-axis direction, and investigated their liquid crystalline properties and molecular packing structures. In mixtures of the molecules with different terminal alkyl chain lengths, nematic and smectic phases were observed at room temperature.