Hydrogen-bonded ferroelectric liquid-crystalline complexes based on a chiral benzoic acid and stilbazoles. induction of chiral smectic C phases by molecular self-assembly

Abstract Hydrogen-bonded ferroelectric liquid-crystalline complexes have been obtained by self-assembly of S-(+)-4-(2-methylbutoxy)benzoic acid and trans-4-alkoxy-4'-stilbazoles. Chiral smectic C phases are induced by the formation of the hydrogen bonds between the chiral nonmesogenic benzoic acid and the achiral stilbazoles. The chiral smectic C phase of the complex has been characterized by X-ray measurement. The hydrogen-bonded complex shows stable ferroelectric behavior in electric fields.