Tuning the thermal properties of azopolymers synthesized by post‐functionalization of poly(propargyl methacrylate) with azobenzene azides: Influence on the generation of linear and circular birefringences

A series of side‐chain polymers with a bifunctional repeating unit are prepared by post‐polymerization functionalization of poly(propargyl methacrylate) (PPMA) with several azides derived from bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (bis‐MPA). The azide incorporates one photoresponsive 4‐cyanoazobenzene unit and one photoinert promesogenic moiety at each repeating unit. Both the effect of the photoinert (4‐cyanobipheynyl vs 4‐cyanotolane) and of the linking group (ester vs carbamate) on the liquid crystalline properties and the generation of optical anisotropy, linear or circular birefringences are explored.This work was supported by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, under the project MAT2017-84838-P, Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) and Gobierno de Aragón. The authors acknowledge the CEQMA (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas—Universidad de Zaragoza) for the NMR, MS, EA, and thermal analysis general facilities. The authors additionally acknowledge the use of the Servicio General de Apoyo a la Investigación of the Universidad de Zaragoza. A.R. acknowledges MINECO (BES-2015-071235) and H.G.-J. acknowledges Gobierno de Aragón for their Ph.D. grants.Peer reviewe