New fluorescent N-heterocyclic liquid crystals with high birefringence

• Published in: Journal of molecular liquids Vol. 224; pp. 909 - 913
• Main Authors: Jian, Junsheng, Hong, Fengying, Xia, Zhengce, Zhu, Dezhao, Wu, Hongxiang, Liu, Jianhui, Bu, Xiao'e, Cui, Ming, Zeng, Zhuo, Wang, Hui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2016
• Subjects: Birefringence; Fluorescence; Liquid crystal; Mesophase; N-heterocycle; Fluorescence; N-heterocycle; Birefringence; Mesophase; Liquid crystal
• ISSN: 0167-7322; 1873-3166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2016.10.071

A new series of tolane-based liquid crystals with different five-membered N-heterocycle as molecular rigid core have been prepared in good yield. All of these new compounds show mesomorphic behaviors, good thermal stability and intrinsic fluorescence nature. The physical and electro-optical properties of these liquid crystal materials were evaluated. Their properties can be adjusted by varying the alkyl/alkoxyl chain or N-heterocycles. Most of the new compounds exhibit high birefringence, and compounds with propyl chain display stronger fluorescence intensity than those with methoxyl. These tolane-based N-heterocyclic liquid crystals may be used as new high birefringence fluorescent liquid crystal materials. A series of tolane-type N-heterocyclic liquid crystal materials were synthesized. Their fluorescene intensity and mesophase behavior can be adjusted by varying the terminal chain or N-heterocycle. These molecules displayed nematic or smectic A(B) phase, strong fluorescene intensity and high Δn value, which suggested as new fluorescent liquid crystals. [Display omitted] •Liquid crystals with N-heterocyclic rigid core have been synthesized in high yield.•Most compounds display strong fluorescence and high birefringence.•Their properties can be adjusted by varying the terminal chain or N-heterocycles.•The structure–property relationship of these molecules was investigated.•Fluorescent N-heterocyclic liquid crystals were developed.