Molecular order in a homlogous series of liquid-crystalline side group polymers from multidimensional carbon-13 and silicon-29 NMR spectroscopy

The variation in the degree of orientational order as a function of molecular site is investigated in a homologous series of liquid‐crystalline side group polymers based on a polysiloxane backbone using multidimensional carbon‐13 and silicon‐29 NMR spectroscopy. Significant differences in ordering behavior are observed amongst the members of the series as the length of the flexible spacer group is increased. In particular the degree of order on the polymer backbone and the size of the order gradient away from the aligned mesogen are correlated with the parity of the spacer chain.