Designed new mesogens via Vilsmeier–Haack reagent: synthesis and phase transition study.

A new four series of 2,2′-([1,1′- phenyl or biphenyl]-4,4′-diylbis(azanediyl)) bis(N′-((E)-1-(4-alkoxyphenyl) ethylidene) acetohydrazide) [V-XI]a,b and 1,1′-(2,2′-([1,1′- phenyl or biphenyl]-4,4′-diyl bis(azanediyl)) bis- (acetyl)) bis(3-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbalde hyde) [XII-XVIII]a,b have been synthesized by varying terminal lateral alkoxy chain length (n = 1–3, 5–8), central linkage group (phenyl or biphenyl) and induced pyrazole heterocyclic ring in the main chain. The last two series were synthesized by the cyclization of substituted acetophenone hydrazones with Vilsmeier–Haack reagent (DMF/POCl3) to produce 4-formylpyrazole derivatives. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were examined by elemental analysis, FTIR and 1H-NMR. The results are in agreement with the considered molecular structure. The liquid crystalline behaviors were studied by using hot-stage optical polarizing microscopy (OPM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The correlation between the molecular structures and mesomorphic behavior and transition temperatures was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]