DFT Calculations and Mesophase Study of Coumarin Esters and Its Azoesters

Two groups of coumarin derivatives, 4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl 4-alkoxybenzoates (coumarin esters), In, and 4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl 4-(2-(4-alkoxyphenyl)diazenyl) benzoates (coumarin azoesters), IIn, were synthesized and investigated for their mesophase behavior and stability. Each group constitutes five series that differ from each other by length of the mesogenic part. Within each homologous series, the length of the terminal alkoxy group varies between 6, 8, 10, 12 and 16 carbons. Mesophase behavior was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and identified by polarized light microscopy (PLM). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations for coumarin derivatives were discussed. The results revealed that the incorporation of azo group incorporated in the mesogenic core decreases the energy differences, increases the dipole moments and stabilities of coumarin azoesters series more than coumarin esters.