4-/Trans-4′-n-Alkylcyclohezxyl/Isothiocyanatobenzenes a New Class Of Low-Melting Stable Nematics

Abstract The mesogenic properties of four series of compounds with the iso;hiocyanate terminal group are compared, viz.: 4-n-alkyl-4′-isothiocyanatobiphenyls /1/, 4–/trans-4′-n-alkylcyclohexyl/benzeneisothiocyanates /2/, isothiocyanatophenyl 4-n-alkylbenzoates /3 / and isothiocyanatophenyl 4-/trans-4′-n-alkylcyclohexyl/benzoates /4/. It has been found that compounds 2 have only the nematic phase in the homologous series from 2 to 10 carbon atom in the alkyl chain, and compounds 4 the nematic and smectic A phases, while the so far known compounds 1 and 3 are E or A smectics.