Mesomorphic phase transition of a cyclotetraphosphazene containing Schiff base moieties: comparison with the corresponding cyclotriphosphazene

Abstract

Newly prepared octakis{4-[N-(4′-heptyloxyphenyl)iminomethyl]phenoxy }cyclotetraphosphazene, consisting of a cyclotetraphosphazene ring backbone and Schiff base side-chain groups has been found to generate an enantiotropic smectic A phase; this is a first example of a mesomorphic cyclotetraphosphazene.