Ferroelectric cyclic oligosiloxane liquid crystals

Chiral, smectogenic pendant groups have been covalently attached to cyclic oligosiloxanes by hydrosilylation. These materials and the olefinic compoun ds from which they were derived exhibit ferroelectric behavior. The mesomor phic range, and in particular the S-C* phase, of these oligomers is greatly enhanced relative to the vinylogous parents. The electro-optic and thermal properties, in addition to the synthetic procedures used to prepare these materials, are described in detail. These compounds are seen as potential p recursors to liquid crystalline polymers with desirable processing capabili ties.