Liquid crystalline properties of linear and network polymers containing allyl groups as lateral substituents

The synthesis and the mesomorphic properties of liquid crystalline polymer networks and the linear polymers upon which networks are based are reported . The linear polymers, synthesised from trimellitic acid, 2-allyl ester wit h the appropriate 4,4'-l,n diphenoxyalkane, exhibit a nematic mesophase, as indicated by calorimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction data, and polarising microscopy. Polymer networks were prepared from the linear polymers in the anisotropic state by thermal crosslinking in the bulk producing a very sta ble liquid crystalline phase.