Preparation and properties of lateral monofluoro-substituted benzoxazole-based mesogenic compounds

A series of 2-(3ʹ-fluoro-4ʹ-alkoxy-1,1ʹ-biphenyl-4-yl)-benzoxazole liquid crystals (coded as nPF(3)PBx) were prepared, where a lateral fluorine substituent, as well as methyl, chlorine and nitro terminal groups, was introduced into the molecules to investigate the effects of different polar substituents on the liquid crystal properties. The mesomorphic and photophysical properties were investigated. The results show that compounds nPF(3)PBx have enantiotropic mesophases; meanwhile, they exhibit UV–vis absorption bands with maxima at 323–326 nm and photoluminescence emission peaks at 389–395 nm, respectively.

It is noted that nPF(3)PBx with terminal polar groups or electron-withdrawing groups (NO 2 , Cl) display higher clearing temperatures and wider mesophase range than those of the corresponding homologues with terminal non-polar groups or electron-donating groups (CH 3 , H). Meanwhile, compared with two lateral fluorine-substituted analogues containing 3,5-difluorophenyl unit, lateral monofluoro-substituted nPF(3)PBx display enhanced mesophase range both in heating and cooling except for terminal methyl-substituted compounds, as well as show obvious red-shifted UV–vis absorption bands and photoluminescence emission, which are attributed to the enhanced dipole–dipole interaction caused by increased dipole moment.