The Synthesis and Liquid Crystal Behavior ofp-Benzotrifluoride Compounds III

Abstract
Two compounds with the general structure R‒CY‒CY‒CH2‒CH2‒Ph‒CF3 were synthesized where CY is a 1,4 disubstituted trans cyclohexyl ring, and R is a n-alkyl group. The synthesis procedure is discussed and structural assignments confirmed by proton and carbon 13 NMR spectroscopy. Liquid crystal behavior was evaluated by DTA and polarized microscope. We discovered that the two compounds have smectic and nematic phases and can be used in fast switching liquid crystal mixtures.