A Low‐Molar‐Mass, Monodispersive, Bent‐Rod Dimer Exhibiting Biaxial Nematic and Smectic A Phases

Abstract

A “peelable banana” is formed when a bent-core molecule is linked to a rodlike mesogen through a flexible aliphatic spacer. This is an appropriate description of this novel low-molar-mass organic system, which displays a transition from a biaxial nematic (Nb) phase to a biaxial smectic A phase. The illustration gives a schematic representation of the dimeric molecules in the Nb phase as well as the corresponding textural and conoscopic patterns obtained. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2002/2004/z53908_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.