Ferroelectric cyclic oligosiloxane liquid crystals

Chiral, smectogenic pendant groups have been covalently attached to cyclic oligosiloxanes by hydrosilylation. These materials and the olefinic compounds from which they were derived exhibit ferroelectric behavior. The mesomorphic range, and in particular the S-C* phase, of these oligomers is greatly enhanced relative to the vinylogous parents. The electro-optic and thermal properties, in addition to the synthetic procedures used to prepare these materials, are described in detail. These compounds are seen as potential precursors to liquid crystalline polymers with desirable processing capabilities.