NEW LIQUID-CRYSTAL POLYMERS WITH 1,3-DITHIANE OR 1,3-DIOXANE RINGS

New polymerizable liquid crystal materials: lkyl-1,3-dithian-2-yl]phen yloxy}decylmethacrylates (10) and 10-{4-[5-alkyl-1,3-dioxan-2-yl]pheny loxy} decylmethacrylates (11) were synthesized and converted into poly mers. The mesomorphic behaviour of these compounds was measured. Thoug h the 1,3-dithiane-type monomer did not exhibit any liquid crystal pha ses, the corresponding polymer exhibited the schlieren texture of a ne matic liquid crystal phase at around room temperature (for example 11- 1: G30N76I). To exhibit a nematic liquid crystal phase at around room temperature is a principal feature of these 1,3-dithiane type polymer. The corresponding 1,3-dioxane-type polymer exhibited the focal conic fan textures of a smectic A phase (for example 10-1: Cr80 S-A 101I).