Thermal behavior of some cholesteric esters

Taking into account the importance of thermal stability in the liquid crystals field, the study presents thermal behavior of some cholesteric esters, which differ by the nature of the functional group attached to the cholesteryl unit and the connecting position of the nitro or amino functions to the aromatic ring. The cholesteric esters present liquid crystalline properties, with high melting and clearing points and may be used as intermediates in the synthesis of liquid crystals. Some other kinetic characteristics, such as reaction order (n), activation energy (E-a) and pre-exponential factor (lnA) have been also evaluated. The type of functional units adjacent to the aromatic unit determines thermal stability of the cholesteryl compounds. Groups with a powerful withdrawing effect induce a decreasing of the temperatures at which the material starts to lose mass. An increased thermal stability for the amino esters has been observed, probably because of some intermolecular hydrogen bonds formation.