| abstract |
Certain polymeric compounds of general formula (I) wherein X, X1, X2 are independently selected from straight or branched chain C1-16 alkyl, halogen and H; (a) is any suitable mesogenic group; Z = single covalent bond, oxygen CO2, OCO; n = 1-20; Y = oxygen, CO2, OCO, CH2, CHOH, CH2O; m = 3-10,000. The compounds are liquid crystal polymers useful in liquid crystal devices, sensors, and in non-linear optical devices. The compounds are prepared by polymerisation of the oxitane monomer to obtain the side-chain liquid crystalline polyoxitane compound. In this way the mesogenic groups are spaced on every fourth carbon atom in the polymer chain; allowing greater mobility for the mesogenic group. |