Liquid crystal polymers containing macroheterocyclic ligands. 4. Synthesis of mesomorphic polymers containing crown ethers by cationic cyclocopolymerization of 1,2-bis(2-ethenyloxyethoxy)benzene with mesogenic vinyl ethers

Cationic cyclopolymerization, polymerization and/or cyclocopolymerization of 1,2-bis(2-ethenyloxyethoxy)benzene (DVE), 11- [(4′-cyano-4-biphenyl)oxy]undecanyl vinylether (CVE), and 3 - [2 - (1,2,2- trifluoroethoxy - 2 - (4- methoxy - 4′- (α - methylstilbene)oxy)) - 1 - (trifluorometh - yl)trifluoroethoxy] - 1 - [2-(ethenyloxy)ethoxy]-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropane (MVE) initiated with H2O/EtAlCl2/S(CH3)2 lead to polymers and copolymers with narrow molecular weight distribution. Poly (DVE) is amorphous, while poly(CVE) and poly(MVE) display a SA and crystalline mesophase. The poly(DVE-co-MVE)s are amorphous. Poly(DVE-co-CVE)s containing 50 mol % and above of CVE structural units displays a SA mesophase.