Synthesis and Mesomorphic Properties of Fishbone-Like Liquid Crystalline Polysilsesquioxanes 2. Imine-Based Side Chain Mesogenic Polysilsesquioxanes

Fishbone-like, imine-based liquid crystalline polysilsesquioxanes (FP) including homopolymeric H-FP and copolymeric (C-FP) have been first synthesized by hydrosilylation reaction of a vinyl-terminated imine mesogen compound with highly ordered ladderlike polyhydrosilsesquioxane [H-T] and random copolymethylhydrosilsesquioxane [MH-T] in the presence of Cp 2 PtCl 2 used as the catalyst. This novel thermotropic side-chain liquid ctystalline polymer with Mw of 10 5-6 can form a transparent uniform film on melting. Their clearing temperature Tcl and mesophase range ΔH are much higher than those of the corresponding comb-like, imine-based liquid crystalline polysiloxane (single main chain) by about 200°C.