Influence of Chiral Maltose on the Mesomorphic Properties of Main-Chain Liquid-Crystalline Polymers

Abstract

A series of main-chain liquid-crystalline polymers containing maltose were synthesized by interfacial condensation reactions of sebacyl chloride, 4,4’-Dihydroxy-2,2’-dimethyl Benzalazine(DDBA), and 1-O-[4´-O-(α-D-glucopyranosyl)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl]-methanol(MM). The effects of MM on characteristics of liquid-crystalline properties were studied. P1- P3 exhibited nematic mesophase on heating and cooling cycle, while P4- P7 exhibited both chiral smectic A and nematic mesophases on heating cycle and nematic mesophase on cooling cycle. P8 did not exhibit any mesophase on heating and cooling cycle. The glass-transition temperature decreased with increasing concentration of MM.