Synthesis, structure and properties of liquid crystalline polymers

Abstract

A number of new liquid crystalline polymers have been synthesized and their mesophase behaviour studied. Two different approaches have been chosen to chemically vary the “classical” thermotropic side group polymers in order to obtain more insight into the structure-property-relationships of these molecules. (i) The constituents (polymer main chain, spacer and mesogenic units) have been widely varied. Thus, side group polymers with polyester main chains, spacers with oligoethylene oxide or siloxane units, non-mesogenic comonomers (dyes), and disclike mesogenic units (as side groups as well as within the polymer main chain) have been investigated. (ii) The structural principles of liquid crystalline polymers have been varied by synthesizing side group polymers with paired mesogens (containing two mesogenic units per monomer unit) and of combined main chain and side group polymers (containing mesogenic units as side groups and within the polymer main chain). © 1985 IUPAC