Synthesis and helical twisting property of polymerizable chiral dopant with temperature-dependent solubility in liquid crystal

In this study, right-handed dicinnamate isosorbide was synthesized via the esterification reaction between optically active isosorbide and cinnamate. The chiral dopant was characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, elemental analysis, SEM, UV absorption spectrum. After dissolving in a nematic liquid crystal mixture, the chiral dopant exhibited a temperature-dependent solubility in the chiral nematic liquid crystal mixture. Meanwhile, a relatively high value of helical twisting power of the polymerizable chiral dopant was determined. The results show that the chiral dopant has great potential in achieving a polymer stabilized chiral nematic liquid crystal film with a broad-band selective reflection.