Synthesis and characterization of side chain polyacrylate containing salicyladimine pendant group

A series of side chain liquid crystalline polymers containing salicyladimine pendant groups with an acrylic backbone have been synthesized. Side chain acrylate monomers containing the mesogenic salicyladimine pendant groups were polymerized in tetrahydrofuran (THF) using 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as initiator at 70 degrees C. The monomers and polymers were characterized by H-1-NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The molecular weights (M) over bar (w) and (M) over bar (n) of the polymers were determined by gel premeation chromatography. The thermal properties of the polymers such as thermal stability, glass transition temperature and liquid crystalline property were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. The polyacrylate showed nematic mesophase in the range 100-120 degrees C. Polymers are soluble in common organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene dichloride and chloroform etc.