An Optically Isotropic Antiferroelectric Liquid Crystal (OI‐AFLC) Display Mode Operating over a Wide Temperature Range using Ternary Bent‐Core Liquid Crystal Mixtures

Abstract

We report on the synthesis and characterization of bent‐core liquid crystal (LC) compounds and the preparation of mixtures that provide an optically isotropic antiferroelectric (OI‐AFLC) liquid crystal display mode over a very wide temperature interval and well below room temperature. From the collection of compounds synthesized during this study, we recognized that several ternary mixtures displayed a modulated SmCaPA phase down to below −40 °C and up to about 100 °C on both heating and cooling, as well as optical tilt angles in the transformed state of approximately 45° (optically isotropic state). The materials were fully characterized and their liquid crystal as well as electro‐optical properties analyzed by polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, synchrotron X‐ray diffraction, dielectric spectroscopy, and electro‐optical tests.

Wide temperature-range, multi-component, optically isotropic antiferroelectric bent-core liquid crystal mixtures for display applications

“…(iv) Methyl 3-fluoro-4-(undecan-2-yloxy)benzoate Synthesized using previously reported procedure. 1 K 2 CO 3 (0.403 g, 2.91 mmol), methyl-3-fluoro-4-hydroxybenzoate (0.164 g, 0.966 mmol), 2-bromoundecane (0.231 g, 0.987 mmol). Yield 0.136 g, 0.422 mmol (44 %).…”

“…The synthesis and characterization of 1 and 4-6 have been previously reported. 1 (2) 4-Chloro-1,3-phenylene bis(4-((4-(undec-10-en-1-yloxy)benzoyl)oxy)benzoate) Synthesized using previously reported procedure. 1 4-Chloro-1,3-benzenediol (0.180 g, 1.22 mmol), (i) (1.00 g, 2.45 mmol), DCC (0.97 g, 4.7 mmol), 4-DMAP (13.5 mg, 0.111 mmol).…”