In situ photopolymerization of an oriented liquid‐crystalline acrylate, 2

Abstract

Abstract During the photo‐initiated free‐radical bulk polymerization of 4‐biphenylyl 4‐(6‐acryloyloxy‐hexyloxy)benzoate ( 1 ) in the liquid‐crystalline state, the ordering is maintained, leading to an oriented liquid‐crystalline side‐chain polymer. The course of the photopolymerization depends on the phase of monomer 1 . In the monotropic smetic‐A and in the monotropic nematic phase the polymerization rate and conversion are affected by crystallization during polymerization. In the stable nematic phase the bulk polymerization is fast and complete. In this temperature region the transition from nematic 1 to smectic poly( 1 ) is passed during which temporary segregation may occur, affecting the molecular ordering. Starting with isotropic 1 , the polymerization proceeds considerably more slowly.