PROPERTIES OF CHIRAL LIQUID-CRYSTALS WITH INNER HYDROGEN-BONDS

A sequence of tilted smectic phases, SmC-SmF-SmG-SmH, has been observe d in a series of enamino ketone derivatives with a 2-methylbutoxy chir al terminal group. In spite of the rather weak chiral centre, these co mpounds are characterized by high spontaneous polarization (ca. 0.5 mu C cm(-2)), which seems to be induced by the large molecular tilt (ca. 40 degrees) observed in all mesophases. A memory effect in the switch ing process has been observed due to the formation of ion layers at el ectrodes. The high hydrogen ion concentration is a result of the disso ciation of hydrogen bonded material under an applied electric field.