New side chain LC polysiloxanes with carbonyl-bound chiral terminal group

A synthetic route has been developed to a new series of homo- and co-polysiloxanes with a terminal chiral 2-(S)-butyl fragment attached to the mesogenic biphenyl core via the ketone binding group, >C˭O. The synthesis, structure and ferroelectric properties of the polymers are reported. All the polymers show in their SA phases an unusual decrease in the interlayer distance with increasing temperature.