Mesogenic dimers composed of bent-core molecules with flexible alkylene spacer.

The synthesis and characterization of six symmetrical mesogenic dimers composed of bent-core molecules containing alkylene spacers are reported. The mesophase was characterized by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and electric field experiments. The X-ray diffraction studies revealed a columnar structure with an oblique lattice for the mesophase. The electric field experiments indicated a ferroelectric behaviour for the mesophase. On the basis of obtained experimental data, a possible structural model for the mesophase has been proposed.