Synthesis and transition temperatures of some novel, chiral nematic, laterally attached, side-chain, siloxane polymers

Abstract

The synthesis of a chiral nematic, laterally attached polymer, from an enantiotropic chiral nematic side-chain precursor is described, and ways of achieving selective esterifications of 2,4-dihydroxybenzoates are discussed. This compound is the first example of its kind to exhibit the chiral nematic phase in both the monomer and the derived polymer; the results show that the polymer has a lower chiral nematic to isotropic clearing point than the monomer.