Synthesis and characterization of novel rod-like ester-based liquid crystalline homologous series: Effect of tert-butyl tail on mesomorphism

Abstract

A new rod-like homologous series consisting twelve compounds with central ester linkage and terminal tert-butyl group, tert-butyl [4- (4’-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)benzoates] has been synthesized and characterized through standard spectroscopic techniques like UV, FT-IR, 1HNMR, DSC, POM, and XRD. Methoxy and ethoxy derivatives are nonmesogenic. Nematic mesophase commences as enantiotropy from propyloxy derivative and persists up to the octadecyloxy derivatives. Smectic A mesophase commences as monotropy from propyloxy to the octadecyloxy derivatives. The mesomorphic properties of present series are compared with other structurally related series to evaluate the effect of terminal tert-butyl group on mesomorphism. Two derivatives are subjected to in vitro antimicrobial activity.