On the photophysical properties of a liquid crystal dimer based on 4-nitrostilbene: A combined experimental and theoretical study

Abstract A new liquid crystal dimer, 1,12-bis(4-(2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl)phenoxy)dodecane, was synthesized and structurally characterized. The compound exhibited enantiotropic nematic phase. The spectroscopic properties were analysed by UV–Vis and fluorescence techniques. Theoretical calculations were used to predict the UV–Vis spectral properties of three isomers and propose a mechanism of conversion between them. The obtained results present a solid basis for the future studies on the stilbene-based liquid crystal dimers, thus affording guidelines for development of a structure–property relationship of these compounds.