Gallic Esters of 4,5-Dinitrocatechol as Potential Building Blocks for Thermotropic Liquid Crystals

Abstract

A series of unsubstituted and 1,4-disubstituted gallic catecholates 1, 6 and 7 as possible candidates for wedge-shaped mesogens were prepared starting from the respective benzene derivatives 2a–c and gallic esters 5a–h. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by DSC. However, only the 4,5-dinitro derivatives 1d,f–h with C8H17 and C10H21 to C12H25 alkyl side chains displayed mesophases, as evaluated by fluidity and optical anisotropy.