Non-Symmetric Liquid Crystal Dimers Containing Azobenzene and 1,3,4- Oxadiazole Group: Synthesis and Mesomorphic Behaviour

We report on the synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour of a new series of non-symmetric liquid crystal dimers with long terminal chains containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole group and azobenzene group as the mesogenic units. These nonsymmetric liquid crystal dimers are evidenced to display monolayer smectic A phase. Microphase segregation and specific intermolecular interactions between the two different mesogenic units are the major driving forces for the formation of the monolayer smectic A structure.