Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of tolane‐based liquid crystals with a fluorinated polar end group.

Three series of tolane‐based liquid crystalline compounds with a fluorinated polar end group have been synthesized. Their phase transition temperatures were measured by texture observation in a polarizing microscope and confirmed by DSC. The all‐fluorinated trifluoromethyl and trifluoromethoxy group have a tendency to promote the smectic A phase, but the difluoromethoxy group has the tendency to promote a wide nematic phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]