NAPHTHYL BENZOATES VERSUS PHENYL BENZOATES - A MOLECULAR-STRUCTURE LIQUID-CRYSTAL AND FERROELECTRIC BEHAVIOR RELATIONSHIP STUDY

A comparative study of the liquid crystal and ferroelectric properties of several achiral, racemic and non-racemic 2,6-naphthyl benzoates an d their 1,4-phenyl benzoate analogues is reported. In terms of pure co mpounds, both central core structures give rise to similar mesophase s equences; however, the naphthalene derivatives exhibit broader and mor e thermally stable liquid crystalline states. On the other hand, both central core units give rise to equivalent electric and optoelectronic properties when the compounds are used as chiral dopants in ferroelec tric liquid crystal mixtures.