Debromination and Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals

Significance

Conjugated polymer bound liquid crystals (LC) have attracted much attention because they afford electrical and optical anisotropies through alignment from an external electric field. However, alignment can be hindered by the high viscosity of the polymer. Ferroelectric LCs should provide a strong driving force for alignment because of strong interactions with the applied electric field. The authors synthesize a series of LC polyphenylene derivatives that form chiral smectic C (S_C*) phases, responsible for ferroelectricity, which show quick switching in macroscopic alignment (under 1 s). Additionally, residual polarization is maintained once the field is removed, providing the opportunity for molecular memory function.