Macromolecular Rapid Communications · 2002 · 17 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesChemistryMaterials ScienceOrganic ChemistryPolymer ChemistryPolymer MaterialsLiquid Crystal MaterialsLiquid CrystalsPolymer ArchitecturePolymer CrystallinityPolymer Phase BehaviorPolymer StructureCopolymers Phase BehaviorLiquid Crystal Phase BehaviorLiquid Crystal Polymer MaterialsLiquid Crystal PolymersLiquid Crystalline PolymersMesophase StructurePerfluoroalkyl SubstancesPolymer Liquid-liquid Phase Separation
A new class of fluorinated polymers was prepared by radical ring-opening homopolymerization of vinylcyclopropane monomers with a perfluorinated (CF2)nF chain (n = 6, 8, or 10). The polymers were in fact copolymers composed of 1,5-linear and cyclobutane isomer units, the relative content of which depended on n. Surprisingly, they formed liquid-crystalline mesophases (SmBd and/or SmAd), which was attributed to phase separation of the incompatible fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon components of the repeat unit.