Observation of polar order and thermochromic behaviour in a chiral bent-core system exhibiting exotic mesophases due to superstructural frustration

Chem Commun (Camb). 2018 Apr 3;54(28):3452-3455. doi: 10.1039/C7CC08885J.

Abstract

A new approach accompanied by superstructural frustration is reported. By attaching a cholesterol moiety directly to the central bent-core system it displayed exotic BPIII, BPII/I, Ncyb*, TGBA, SmAPA, SmA and SmX phases as shown by X-ray scattering results. While higher homologues of the series exhibited spontaneous formation of polar order (Ps ∼ 61 nC cm-2) upon applied voltage, the lower homologues showed thermochromic behaviour which can also be trapped via temperature quenching.