High-resolution x-ray scattering studies of thin smectic-C (SmC) samples prepared between solid plates by cooling from the smectic-^ phase reveal a surprising "chevron" structure of tilted layers. This structure is formed as a response to the shrinking of the SmC layers while anchored to the solid plates. The layer tilt is independent of surface treatment. Our results provide fundamental new information on the structure and surface interactions of SmC layers and provide evidence for a new SmC defect.

In combination with the "bent cylinder binding site" model for the molecular origins of the ferroelectric polarization P in ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs), the observed sign and magnitude of P in mixtures of nonracemic guests with a low-polarization host is used to establish absolute and relative configuration of the guests. The assignments are fully confirmed by conventional methods. It is shown that fluorination with (diethylamido)sulfur trifluoride (DAST) of the benzylic epoxy alcohol 4'-(«-decyloxy)phenyl 4-[(5,S)-2,3-epoxy-(S)-l-hydroxynonyl(benzoate (3) proceeds with predominant retention of configuration, while DAST fluorination of the benzylic alcohol 4'-(decyloxy)phenyl 4-[(S)-1 -hydroxynonyl]benzoate (6) proceeds

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract