SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SIDE-CHAIN LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE POLYDIENES AND THEIR HYDROGENATED DERIVATIVES

Polydienes having mesogenic groups in the side chain and their hydroge nated derivatives were synthesized by the radical polymerization of di ene derivatives with siloxane linkage in the spacer and benzoates as m esogenic groups, followed by hydrogenation of the double bond of the m ain chain. The stereochemistry of the main chain is principally (E)-1, 4) elucidated by NOESY spectrum. The diene polymers take smectic liqui d crystalline state, basically with fan like structure, irrespective o f spacer length. The hydrogenated polymers did not take clear mesophas e structures.