Abstract

The construction of multifunctional molecular self-assembly is one of the fascinating areas of current research. Herein we reported a series of biphenyl benzoate derived mesogenic material EBPCH-(2–16), containing ester-imine and chalcone as connecting units. Compounds were substituted by decyloxy chain at one end while the other end has been systematically varied from C2-C16. By using various spectroscopic techniques, and elemental analysis, the structures of the biphenyl benzoates were determined; the results are consistent with the suggested structure. The mesomorphism of new molecules has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. Initial members of the series up to C8 exhibited enantiotropic Smectic-A (SmA) as well as nematic mesophase with good thermal stability, whereas compounds above C10 up to C16 revealed only smectogenic behaviour with enantiotropic SmA as well as SmC mesophase. Apart from these findings, additional variables like the alkyloxy groups in the molecules and the polarity and polarizability of the linking units may also have an impact on these mesogens. Further, the structure–property relationship was carried out by thorough investigations and comparison with structurally related literature on the target compounds' mesomorphism. In addition, Density functional theory simulations verify the potential conformer of biphenyl benzoates, whereas studies conducted by frontier molecular orbitals and molecular electrostatic potential delve into the molecular surroundings and quantum chemical behaviour of these compounds.