Synthesis and characterisation of laterally substituted noncentrosymmetric main chain hydrogen-bonded polymers

A series of laterally substituted noncentrosymmetric hydrogen-bonded liquid crystalline polymers which incorporate stilbazole acceptor units, alkyl or ethylene glycol linkers units, and benzoic acid or phenol donor units were prepared and investigated for their hydrogen bonding behaviour and phase transitions. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) indicated that these polymers possess strong intermolecular donor–acceptor hydrogen bonding. These polymers have lower melting points than their non-substituted analogue, and some of the polymers are mesomorphic.