Induced cholesteric systems based on some cyano derivatives as host phases

Macroscopical properties of some induced cholesteric compositions based on 4-pentyl-4'-cyano derivatives of biphenyl and phenylcyclohexane as host phases have been investigated. The series of N-arylidene derivatives of (S)-1-phenylethylamine with varied both rigid moiety of the N-arylidene fragment and terminal substituent was used as chiral dopants. The influence of the chiral dopant molecular structure as well as of physical properties of the host phases used on the helical twisting power, the temperature dependence of the induced helical pitch and the N* mesophase thermal stability has been characterized. It has been concluded that the distinctions in properties of the LC systems containing the OCH2 and COO linking groups are caused by their different conformational states.