Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of bent-shaped molecule with low bent-angle central core and long alkylthio tail

Two homologous series of bent-shaped molecules composed of low bent-angle naphthalene central core and long alkoxy tail or alkylthio tail, N(1,7)-n-OPIMB and N(1,7)-n-SPIMB (n = 20, 22), respectively, were synthesized. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Compared to the direct transition from the isotropic phase to the chiral B4 phase examined in N(1,7)-n-OPIMB, N(1,7)-n-SPIMB exhibited a rare Iso-Ncol-Colh-B4 phase sequence. The combination of the asymmetric low bent-angle 1,7-naphathalene central core and the flexible long alkylthio tail is considered to play an important role in the formation of such a novel phase sequence.