Liquid crystal compositions

Abstract

This invention relates to a liquid crystal composition and articles comprising the composition. The composition comprises at least one compound of each of the Formulas (I), (II) and (III), as defined herein. A process for making the composition is also provided.

1 . A process for making a composition comprising:
 (a) providing one or more organic polyol(s) comprising at least two hydroxyl groups and at least two covalently bonded carbon atoms, each hydroxyl group being bonded to a different carbon atom within an organic polyol;   (b) reacting the organic polyol(s), optionally in the presence of a base, with (i) one or more functionalized alkyl acid(s) or acid halide(s) represented by the structure of the following Formula (X):
   Z-(CH 2 ) n —C(O)X   (X) 
   
       wherein X is Cl, Br, I, or OH; Z is F, Cl, Br, I, —OTs, —OTf, —OMs, CN, or NO 2 ; and n is an integer equal to 3 to 20; and
 (ii) one or more non-functionalized alkyl acid(s) or acid halide(s) represented by the structure of the following Formula (XI):
   Y—(CH 2 ) t —C(O)X   (XI) 
 
 
       wherein X is Cl, Br, I, or OH; Y is H, F, Cl, Br, I, —OTs, —OTf, —OMs, CN, or NO 2 ; and t is an integer equal to 3 to 20;
 with the proviso that Z is not equal to Y; in a reaction solvent and at a reaction temperature to provide a mixture comprising a composition and a spent reaction mixture. 
 
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the polyol comprises a diol selected from the group of compounds represented by the structures of the following Formulas (XIIIa-XIIIg): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 3 -R 10  are selected from the group: H, C 1 -C 8  straight or branched chain alkyl, C 1 -C 8  straight or branched chain alkyloxy, F, Cl, phenyl, —C(O)CH 3 , CN and CF 3 ; and R 11  is H, —CH 3  or —OCH 3 . 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the polyol comprises a diester diol selected from the group of materials represented by the structures of the following Formulas (XIVa-XIVf): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 3 -R 10  are selected from the group: H, C 1 -C 8  straight or branched chain alkyl, C 1 -C 8  straight or branched chain alkyloxy, F, Cl, phenyl, —C(O)CH 3 , CN and CF 3 ; and R 11  is H, —CH 3  or —OCH 3 . 
     
     
         4 . A composition as prepared according to the process of  claim 1 .