Influence of difluoro substitution on the mesomorphic and thermal behavior of azo-cinnamate ester liquid crystals: experimental and DFT analysis
Abstract
A new series of difluoro-substituted azo-cinnamate ester liquid crystals (C3–C16) was synthesized to investigate the influence of fluorine substitution on mesomor`phic behavior. Compounds C4, C6, and C8 exhibited monotropic nematic phases, while C10–C16 showed enantiotropic SmA phases. Mesomorphic properties and thermal transitions were studied using POM, DSC, and TGA, revealing smectic thermal stability up to 114.8 °C with mesophase ranges of 14.5–29.4 °C. Structures were confirmed by FT-IR, Mass, and NMR (1H and 13C). UV–Vis spectroscopy demonstrated the characteristic azo absorption and light-induced trans–cis photoisomerization. DFT calculations provided insights into optimized geometries, HOMO–LUMO energy gaps, and electrostatic potential distributions.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Liquid Crystal Research Advancements
Synthesis and properties of polymers
Synthesis and Properties of Aromatic Compounds
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Volume
- 770
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 1127–1147
- Publication date
- 27 March 2026
- Language
- EN