Bent-core molecules with lateral halogen atoms forming tilted, synclinic and anticlinic, lamellar phases

Four homologous series of symmetric bent-core molecules containing lateral fluorine or iodine substituents in the branches were synthesised and studied. Depending on the central ring and the lateral substituent the studied compounds exhibit a B7 phase or B2 type phases with anticlinic (SmCAPA) or synclinic (SmCSPA) interlayer structures. For the SmCSPA phase the C2v symmetry structure is proposed, with regularly spaced anticlinic–ferroelectric interlayer boundaries. In the SmCAPA phase strong optical activity was detected, chiral domain segregation could be induced by applying a weak electric field.