SYNTHESIS OF SIDE-CHAIN LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE POLYSALTS WITH A POLY(METHYLSILOXANE) BACKBONE

The synthesis and thermal properties of side-chain liquid-crystalline polysiloxanes, incorporating quaternized pyridyl groups, are described . The polymers are obtained by hydrosilylation of poly(hydrogenmethyls iloxane) with a protected alcohol. Reaction of the deprotected polysil oxanes with 4-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine and subsequent reaction with mes ogenic alkyl bromides of different structure yielded the desired xy)al kyl]-4-pyridinio-methoxy}hexyl)methylsiloxane bromide]. Four different types of polymers are prepared with either octyl or dodecyl alkyl cha in, and with either methoxy or S-2-methyl-1-butoxy as an alkoxy group. Degrees of quaternization up to 80% are obtained. First results of th eir liquid-crystalline behaviour investigated by optical polarizing mi croscopy and differential scanning calorimetry are reported.