The synthesis of new liquid-crystalline mesogens containing bicyclohexane units

The synthesis and mesomorphism characterization of new thermotropic derivatives of cis,trans and trans, trans-4,4'-bicyclohexyl-bis[4-(6-hydroxyhexan- I -oxy)benzoate] are described. This last intermediate produces a liquid crystalline diacrylate, with lower refractive indices than the well-known aromatic analogues, that allows to obtain polymeric network via UV photopolymerization. The acrylate is very useful to optimize the contrast of polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs). Moreover, the acylation of the intermediates previously mentioned, with alkanoic or perfluoro alkanoic acids give low-molecular liquid crystals that exhibit a broad temperature range of mesophases. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.