Liquid Crystalline π-Conjugated Copolymers Bearing a Pyrimidine Type Mesogenic Group

Phenylene-thiophene-based liquid crystalline π-conjugated copolymers bearing mesogenic groups as side chains were synthesized via a Stille polycondensation reaction and confirmed to exhibit a nematic liquid crystal phase at appropriate temperatures. The formation of a nematic phase, but not a smectic phase indicates cooperation of the main chain and side chain in the formation of a nematic main-chain/side-chain liquid crystal phase. The generation of polarons in the main chain as charge carriers during in-situ vapor doping of iodine is confirmed to increase with a doping progresses, exhibiting Dysonian paramagnetic behavior typical of conductive polymers.