Synthesis and mesomorphic behaviours of a homologous series of 2-(4-alkyloxybenzylidenamino)benzothiazoles

The synthesis and characterisation of a series of new rod-shaped liquid crystal (LC), 2-(4-alkyloxybenzylidenamino)benzothiazoles possessing even number of carbon atoms at the alkyloxy chain (CnH2n + 1O-, n=2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18) are reported. The molecular structures of title compounds were elucidated using FTIR and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques. The phase behaviour of these new compounds was characterised and studied by differential scanning calorimetry and polarising optical microscopy. Lower members (n=2, 4 and 6) did not exhibit mesophase. Octyloxy derivative was monotropic LC. Enantiotropic smectic A phase was observed from n-decyloxy derivatives onward to the last homologous synthesised.