RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN TAILOR-MADE LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE POLYMERS

The present state of the art in the molecular engineering of liquid cr ystalline polymers with were defined phase transitions are reviewed. T he thermodynamic considerations underlying phase transitions and their manipulation through structural variations are discussed. The influen ce of chemical heterogeneity on the behaviour of main chain LC copolym ers are considered. Recent developments in flexible and semiflexible L C polyethers and hyperbranched dendritic LC polymers are highlighted. The application of living polymerization methods for the molecular eng ineering of side chain LC polymers with well defined molecular weight and molecular weight distribution are illustrated. Novel supramolecula r architectures as well as application of the concept of molecular rec ognition and directed self assembly to the synthesis of LC polymers ar e discussed.