Synthesis and comparative studies of phase transition behaviour of new dimeric liquid crystals consisting of dimethyluracil and biphenyl cores

A new homologous series of mesogens containing 6-amino-1,3-dimethyluracil moiety have been synthesized. The structures of the compounds were characterised by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques. Their mesomorphic properties were studied by polarising optical microscopy attached to a heating stage. Microscopy data were supported with transition temperatures and enthalpy change values obtained from the differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The studies have shown that the mesomorphic properties of the compounds are dependent on the lengths of alkoxy-spacers. Compounds 4a-f with a shorter alkoxy-spacer chain (n = 6) exhibited smectic A phase, while compounds 4g-r with a alkoxy-spacer chain (n = 8 or 10) displayed nematic phase.