Synthesis and Characterization of Liquid Crystalline Derivatives Derived from Alkoxy Vanillic Acid and α, β-Unsaturated Nitriles: Liquid Crystals

Abstract

Liquid crystals (LCs) are unique materials that combine the fluidity of liquids with the molecular ordering of crystals, making them valuable in optoelectronic and advanced material applications. In this work, new liquid crystalline compounds were synthesized from (Z)-3-(4-butoxyphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acrylonitrile and alkoxy-substituted vanillic acid derivatives. These structural modifications were introduced to enhance mesophase stability and tailor thermal and optical properties for potential technological applications. The synthesis was achieved via esterification or condensation reactions under controlled conditions. Structures were confirmed using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was employed to determine phase transition temperatures, while Polarized Optical Microscopy (POM) was used to observe mesophase textures. The findings reveal that alkoxy vanillic acid units significantly influence mesophase behavior, yielding compounds with stable mesophases and tunable transition points. This study highlights the relationship between molecular structure and mesomorphic properties, providing a foundation for designing advanced liquid crystal materials for optoelectronic devices.