Effect of lateral substituents on the mesophases formed by some achiral banana-shaped molecules

Abstract

Several compounds composed of banana-shaped molecules and exhibiting mesophases are reported. The effect of different lateral substituents on the type of mesophase formed is examined and a comparison made with unsubstituted compounds. The mesophases have been characterized using techniques such as polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction. The B2 phase shows antiferroelectric switching behaviour.