New antiferroelectric compounds containing partially fluorinated terminal chains. Synthesis and mesomorphic properties

Methods for preparing optically active hydroxyesters: 1-hydroxy-4-(1-methylheptyloxycarbonyl)benzene and 4-hydroxy-4'-(1-methylheptyloxy-carbonyl)biphenyl, 4-(1-methylheptyloxycarbonyl)phenyl 4'-hydroxybiphenyl-4-carboxylate and 4'-(1-methylheptyloxy carbonyl)biphenyl-4-yl 4-hydroxybenzoate have been elaborated. These compounds were used as intermediates for preparing liquid crystalline homologous series of di- and triesters exhibiting tilted smectic phases C-A* and C*. The phase transitions have been measured by DSC and thermomicroscopic methods and the smectic phases have been identified by microscopic textures and miscibility studies.