Synthesis and characterization of chalcone-linked bis-cinnamate-based liquid crystals: structure–property relationship

The rod-shaped materials based on chalcone and cinnamate groups were designed and synthesized for the study of liquid crystalline properties. In the present study, seven homologous have been synthesized by varying alkoxy side chains, and the liquid crystalline property was preliminarily investigated by POM, DSC, and XRD study. The lower alkoxy chain displays nematic mesophase, while the higher chain displays smectic C and nematic mesogenic behavior. Also, the structure–property relationship was studied by changing terminal alkoxy chains. The analytical approaches such as FT-IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy were used to confirm the molecular structure of the compounds.