Exploring mesophase behavior and biological potential of liquid crystalline Schiff base derivatives of vanilloxy ester: experimental and theoretical studies†

To design and develop a stable structural composition and geometry of liquid crystal (LC) materials, functionality adjustment is an interesting concept affecting mesomorphism. Thus, in this study, a similar concept was applied to design a novel homologous series of a Schiff base of vanillic ester possessing a 4′-benzal-2′′-amino benzothiazole functionality in order to investigate their mesophase characteristics. The synthesized materials were analyzed for their structural, surface texture and mesophase behavior elucidation using spectral, thermal and computational analyses. As a result, samples showed liquid crystalline nature with the “nematic–smectic A” phase in a good temperature range. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of these LC samples of vanillic ester derivatives was investigated, and the corresponding results show promising biological potential.