Synthesis and Study of Molecular Structure and Its Relation to Liquid Crystal Behavior in a Novel Azoester Series

A novel liquid crystal (LC) homologous series of 12 azoesters was synthesized and evaluated, and nine members of the series exhibited enantiotropically or monotropically nematogenic LC behavior. Smectogenic character is totally absent. The methoxy, tetradecyloxy, and hexadecyloxy homologues are non-liquid crystals (NLC). Textures of nematic phase are threaded, or schlieren. The solid–isotropic/nematic and N-I or vice versa transition curves behave in normal manner. The N-I transition curve exhibits an odd-even effect. The average thermal stability for nematic is 113.25°C. Mesomorphic phase length ranges from 21 to 35°C. The textures of nematic mesophase and transition temperatures were determined by an optical polarizing microscope equipped with a heating stage. Analytical and spectral data confirm the molecular structures of homologues. The LC behavior of the present novel series is compared with a structurally similar known series. The present series is predominantly nematogenic with the absence of smectic property, and is of a middle-ordered melting type.