Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals Containing the Chiral Oxirane Carboxylic Ester Unit Positioned Terminally to or Inside of the Mesogenic Part

Abstract

Abstract The synthesis, phase behaviour, spontaneous polarization and response times of a new class of chiral LCs of general structure 6, 7, possessing a (2R, 3S)-2-oxirane carboxylic acid unit connected with mesogenic building blocks are described. Several of the new compounds exhibit ferroelectric LC phases (Sc*). First examples of ferroelectric LCs having the chriral unit incorporated in the mesogenic moiety are described. They show better mesomorphic properties (broader Sc*-phases) compared with analogous compounds bearing the chiral unit terminally. Some of the new compounds are useful as dopants to induce ferroelectric properties in LCs possessing Sc-phases. The ester group adjacent to the oxirane ring increases the chemical stability of the three membered ring system.