Synthesis and Properties of Semi-flexible Liquid Crystalline Polyesters with Rigid Lateral Group

A series of liquid crystalline polyesters containing the 4-chloro benzoate group on the hydroquinone unit of rigid group were synthesized through solution polymerization of 2,5-di(4-chlorobenzoate) hydroquinones and 4,4'-dicarboxy-alpha,omega-diphenoxy alkane. The structure and properties for synthesized polymers were investigated by H-1-NMR, FT-IR, DSC, TGA, and POM. As result of investigations, The presence of the methylene group and bulky lateral groups in polymer chain have a great influence on the properties of polymers such as solubilities and thermal transitions. The optical textures of polymers revealed a weak birefringence in the melt and indicated that they form nematic mesophase. All polymers have very narrow mesophase temperature ranges.