Polymers containing substituted 2-phenyl-benzoxazole side-chain groups: Synthesis and phase behavior

SYNOPSIS The synthesis of substituted 2-phenyl-benzoxazoles has been accomplished by ring closure of Schiff bases. The compounds have been used as precursors of acrylic derivatives displaying LC properties : formula chem. R 1 = NO 2 , CN ; R 2 = -OOC-pC 6 H 4 -O(CH 2 ) 6 OOCCH=CH 2 ; R 1 = - OOC - pC 6 H 4 - O(CH 2 ) 6 OOCCH=CH 2 , -N(CH 3 )(CH 2 ) 6 OOCCH =CH 2 ; R 2 = NO 2 Four comb-like homopolymers have been obtained by radical catalysis from the acrylic monomers. The polymers have been characterized by 1 H-NMR, DSC, x-ray diffraction, viscometry, and polarizing microscopy. Three of the polymers exhibit liquid crystalline properties of smectic type.