4-[2-(Trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]benzoates: Synthesis and evaluation for mesomorphic properties of some novel calamitic molecules

Abstract

A series of novel terminal trimethylsilylacetylene benzoate derivatives with various linking groups were synthesized using Friedel-Craft's O-acylation reaction. The chemical structures of the novel 4-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]benzoates were confirmed by standard spectroscopic techniques. The compounds were investigated for their liquid crystalline properties employing polarised optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The esters 5c – 5f, 5h and 5n possessing three phenyl rings exhibited liquid crystalline property of SmA/SmC phases with wide thermal range.