Synthesis And Characterization Of Low Molecular Weight Thermotropic Liquid Crystals Containing Chiral Group

Ferroelectric liquid crystal is generally obtained from chiral liquid crystal. There is one or more than one unsymmetrical carbon atoms in its molecular structure. It usually exhibits chiral smectic C phase (S_c~*). The unique nonlinear electro-optic properties of ferroelectric liquid crystalline materials, together with their fast responding speed (microsecond level) and excellent faculty of memory make them potentially applicable in areas as diverse as temperature sensors, chromatograph techniques, electronic devices, display and information storage. Discotic liquid crystals consist of three to nine peripheral flexible chains and a polycyclic aromatic core. It can form columnar structure by self-assembly, leading to the overlap of electronic cloudy along columnar orientation and one-dimensional charge and energy transport capabilities. Discotic liquid crystals are ideal electron carrier materials and show huge potential applications in electro-optic field, such as molecular wires, organic light emitting diodes, solar cells and gas sensor materials. Triphenylene derivatives are the most widely synthesized and extensively studied discotic liquid crystals. The synthesis, mesomorphic properties and applications of triphenylene based discotic liquid crystals have become a hot spot in the forthcoming organic electronics ages. Introduction of chiral group into discotic liquid crystalline molecules maybe results in a novel type of organic electro-optic material.