Nematic and Smectic Mesophase from Calamitic Bisazobenzene Liquid Crystal: Synthesis and Characterization of 1- Methoxyhexyloxy-4'-(4-Phenylazo) Azobenzene Hybrid Molecule

A new hybrid calamitic liquid crystal material with rod-shape bisazobenzene moieties as a core has been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning colorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-Ray diffraction. The rod-shaped molecule 1- methoxyhexyloxy-4`-(4-phenylazo)azobenzene was prepared by diazotization of 4-phenylazoaniline, coupling with phenol and subsequent etherification of 1-Bromohexyloxy-4`-(4-phenylazo)azobenzene in methanol. The presence of enantiotropic nematic and smectic A mesophases were confirmed by the textures and X-Ray diffraction.