Mixtures of disc-shaped and rod-shaped mesogens with chiral components

Abstract

A novel mesogen has been synthesised, that not only combines two one disc-shaped and rod-shaped mesogens, but also includes a chiral group in the centre of the molecule. A protection and selective deprotection procedure allows the introduction of the chiral group in the central linking group of the mesogen. However, using this versatile procedure, a variety of other groups can be introduced selectively into the mesogen. The chiral group induces the formation of a cholesteric phase. Interestingly, the N* mesophase is miscible with the nematic phases of the precursor discs and rods. This study provides further evidence for the miscibility of discs and rods in a (chiral) nematic phase.