Study of Molecular Structure, Mesomorphism and Their Relation with Molecular Rigidity-Flexibility

Entirely smectogenic novel chalconyl homologue derivatives of thermotropic liquid crystals (LC) have been synthesized with a view to understanding and establishing the effects of molecular structure on liquid crystal properties and the degree of liquid crystallinity. The homologous series consists of 12 (C-1 to C-16) homologues with absence of nematogenic character throughout the present series. The textures of smectic phase are fan shaped or batonnet type of smectic-A or of smectic-C. Phase transition temperatures and thermotropic data were determined by an optical polarizing microscope equipped with a heating stage. The smectic-isotropic (Sm-I) phase transition curve and the Cr-Sm transition curve behave in normal manner in the phase diagram. Analytical and spectral data confirm molecular structures of novel homologues. The average thermal stability for smectic is 139.42 degrees C and the mesogenic phase length ranges from 3.5 degrees C to 79.6 degrees C. Mesogenic properties are compared with the structurally similar known series.