Structural effects in three-ring mesogenic derivatives ofp-carborane and their hydrocarbon analogues

Several series of structurally related three-ring esters containing benzene, cyclohexane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane and p-carborane rings were synthesized and their mesogenic properties investigated using thermal analysis and optical microscopy. Carborane derivatives show only nematic phases, while the richest smectic polymorphism (up to three phases) was observed in the biphenyl series D. The structure–property relationships were studied by comparison of T NI between series. The ring effectiveness in stabilization of nematic phases generally follows the order carborane