Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of laterally fluorinated alkyl 4"-alkylterphenyl-4-yl carbonate liquid crystals

Fifteen series of homologues of a variety of mono-, di- and trifluorosubstituted alkyl 4 ''-alkylterphenyl-4-yl carbonates have been synthesized and their mesomorphic properties have been determined. From among 95 prepared compounds, 40 pure nematogens have been found, as well as 55 mesogens with orthogonal and tilted smectic phases in broad temperature ranges. The type and combination of the LC phase strongly depend on the position and number of the fluorine atoms. Physical properties and correlations between the molecular core fluorosubstitution, the length of the terminal chains and the type and sequence of the liquid crystalline phases, have been determined. The compounds are useful for the formulation of nematic mixtures as well as ferroelectric ones.