Polymerization of a Nematic Liquid Crystal Monomer

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether a single component liquid crystalline phase represents an ordered matrix in which topochemical control can be exercised in intermolecular reactions. A detailed kinetic study of the polymerization of the new nematic liquid crystal monomer N-(p-methoxy-o-hydroxy-benzylidene)-p-aminostyrene was conducted in the nematic and isotropic phases. In addition, the polymerization in the nematic phase was conducted in a magnetic field of 1300 Oe. In disagreement with previous reports on other liquid crystal systems, no significant effect on the rates of polymerization or the nature of the product appears to be associated with the existence of the nematic phase or the presence of a magnetic field during the reaction.