THE SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL THIOPHENE-BASED LIQUID-CRYSTAL EXHIBITING FERRO-ELECTRIC, FERRI-ELECTRIC AND ANTIFERRO-ELECTRIC PHASE TYPES

The synthesis and liquid crystal properties of (R)-(-)-4-(1-methylhept yloxycarbonyl)phenyl 5-(4-decyloxyphenyl)thiophene-2- carboxylate is r eported. This material exhibits the following phase types (degrees C): I 97.4 S-A 92.2 S-C 81.4 ferri 78.8 antiferroelectric 48.6 glass stat e (characterised by thermal optical microscopy and differential scanni ng calorimetry). Results from electro-optical investigations, for exam ple, field-induced transitions, temperature and voltage dependence and current and electro-optic response,clearly illustrate the presence of the S-C ferro-, ferri- and antiferro-electric phase types.