Synthesis and Characterization of Photo-Responsive Thermotropic Liquid Crystals Based on Azobenzene

A series of new thermotropic liquid crystals (LCs) containing azobenzene units was synthesized. The structures of the compounds were characterized by means of NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. Their mesomorphic behaviors were investigated via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM). Based on the POM and DSC measurements, the optical properties of the Razo-ester were tested using UV-vis spectroscopy. The azobenzene side chain displayed a strong ability to influence the formation of thermotropic LCs