Synthesis and phase transitions of monomers carrying a biphenyleneazobenzene or an azotolane group. Precursors of photo-responsive liquid crystal polymers
New phenyleneazobenzene and azotolane monomers were synthesized. Both types of monomers display a liquid crystal behavior of the smectic type. The molecular stacking in smectic phases may be determined by π-interactions. Monomers are precursors of photo-active liquid crystal polymers for optical devices.