Z-Isomers of Azobenzenes Highly Compatible with Liquid Crystals

Novel guest-host liquid crystal systems containing 3,3-disubstituted azobenzenes as guests were prepared on the basis of molecular design by molecular calculations to achieve the improvement of compatibility of the chromophore with nematic phases. No phase change of nematic liquid crystals was induced by the E-to-Z photoisomerization of the guests even at doped concentrations as high as 20 wt%.