Abstract

The synthesis, characterization, mesomorphism and photoinitiated polymerization of new thermotropic derivatives of bis{4-[6-(acryloyloxy)hexyloxy]halobenzoate}-1,4-phenylene were studied. Halogen incorporation in the mesogenic unit decreases the stability of the mesophases of monomers containing three aromatic rings. The monomer MIII exhibits a nematic phase which has been macroscopically oriented by surface pre-treatment and fixed by photopolymerization in situ, yielding a uniaxially crosslinked network. The molecular ordering of liquid crystalline diacrylate films was visualized by examining the fracture surface by scanning electron microscopy. These films exhibit a fine texture, illustrating the presence of an oriented layered structure.