THERMAL-PROPERTIES OF LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE POLYITACONATES WITH PAIRED MESOGENS

2-Methylenesuccinates (Itaconates) (2) having two 4-methoxyazobenzene moieties as paired mesogenic groups were prepared. The monomer 2 was radically homo-polymerized and copolymerized with non-mesogenic monomer, dioctadecyl itaconate (DOI). Paired mesogenic homopolyitaconate exhibits a nematic phase and the copolymers of the monomer 2 with DOI also show a mesomorphic phase up to 25 mol% of DOI content. The enhancement of mesophase formation by paired mesogens is discussed.