Side-Chain Polyacrylates with 4-Dimethylamino-4'-Stilbenecarboxylic Ester Mesogens

Abstract : Omega-Acryloxyalkyl 4-dimethylamino-trans-stilbene-4'-carboxylates with (CH2)n spacer chains having n=2,4,6,8,and 10 have been synthesized and polymerized to give side chain liquid crystal polymers. DSC and polarizing microscopy show that the polymers have glass and isotropization transition temperatures that decrease with increasing length of the spacer chain to Tg=83C and Ti=125C for the (CH2)10 polymer. Low isotropization enthalpies of < or = 1.2 cal/g and polarizing microscopic textures indicate a low degree of order in the liquid crystals phases. The polymers are soluble, which indicates no significant cross-linking through the stilbene double bond, and the trans configuration of the stilbene was maintained throughout the syntheses.