Ferrocene-based organophosphorus liquid-crystalline polymers: Synthesis and characterization

Ferrocene-containing polyphosphate and phosphonate esters were synthesized by the solution polycondensation method. The structure of the polymers was confirmed using various spectroscopic techniques. The formation of two type s of chain blocks was confirmed by P-31 NMR spectroscopy. Hot stage optical polarized microscope (HOPM) analysis revealed that all the polymers have a liquid- crystalline property. The char yields of the synthesized similar p olymers were much higher than those of nonphosphorus polymers already repor ted in the literature. DSC analysis confirmed our predictions over the liqu id-crystalline property, glass-transition temperature, isotropization tempe rature, and thermal stability of the polymers. The effects of substitution on the side chain, structure of the liquid-crystalline phase, and thermal s tability of the polymers have also been discussed. (C) 2001 John Wiley & So ns, Inc.