Polymers with mesogenic elements and flexible spacers in the main chain: Aromatic‐aliphatic polyesters

A new series of aromatic‐aliphatic polyesters of general structure: magnified image R1 = terphenyl, biphenyl, stilbene R2 = (CH2)n;  CH2C(Me)2CH2;CH2;C(Et)2CH2; (CH2CH2O)n CH2CH2 has been synthesised. The existence of thermotrpic liquid crystalline phases has been shown by polarised light microscopy. The texture observations have suggested the existence of nematic, SA or/and SC phases depending on the chemical structure. The temperature of transition between the phases and, as a consequence, the range of mesomorphism are highly dependent upon the chemical structure. The clearing point is high, even for the longest aliphatic group, while the melting point is depressed.