Induction of smectic polymorphism in bent-core derivatives of the 6-oxoverdazyl by partial fluorination of alkyl chains

Abstract

A series of bent-core mesogens 2[m,n] derived from the 6-oxoverdazyl radical and containing partially fluorinated alkyl tails was prepared and investigated by thermal, optical, XRD and EPR methods. In contrast to non-fluorinated analogs, the series 2[m,n] exhibits SmA and SmC phases with thermal stability dependent on the degree of fluorination and the F/H ratio (m/n) in the alkyl chain.