Liquid crystalline carbosilane dendrimers: First generation

Abstract An approach to the synthesis of a new class of liquid crystalline (LC) compounds, dendrimers of regular structure with terminal mesogenic groups, was elaborated. LC dendrimers based on the carbosilane dendritic matrix of first generation were synthesized. Cyanobiphenyl, methoxyphenyl benzoate and cholesteryl groups were used as mesogenic fragments. Individuality and structure of all compounds obtained was proved by GPC together with 1H- and 29Si NMR methods. The mesomorphic behaviour and structure of the LC dendrimers synthesized were investigated. It is argued that different mesophases of the smectic type are realized in all cases. It is shown that the mesophase type of these compounds essentially depends on the chemical nature of the mesogenic groups.