Mesomorphic Properties of 4-[3′,4′,5′-tri(p-n−Dodecyloxybenzyloxy)]-Benzoyloxy-4‴-p-n−Dodecyloxybenzyloxybiphenyl

Abstract
The diester was resynthesized to study its reported thermotropic biaxial nematic (Nb ) phase. A slightly different synthesis route using a monoprotected biphenol was used. All intermediates, as well as the final diester, were thoroughly characterized by high resolution NMR and in some cases elemental analysis to be certain that the product isolated had the correct structure. Mesomorphic properties were determined by both hot-stage polarizing microscopy and DSC. An I−nematic-smectic C sequence was observed rather than the Nb and Nu phases reported earlier. X-ray analysis confirmed the presence of a nematic above a smectic C phase.