Structure–property relationships in main chain liquid crystal polyesters with flexible spacers†

Investigations have been carried out in this laboratory over the past four years on the structure—property relationship in main chain, thermotropic liquid crystal polymers containing a variety of different types of mesogenic groups and flexible spacers. Our goal has been to relate the effect of polymer structure to the type of mesophase formed in the melt and to the melting and clearing temperatures of the mesophases. Many interesting, unusual, and unexpected results have been obtained in our survey, and this review is concerned with our observations on the molecular factors which determine the types of mesophases formed, nematic or smectic, and their transition temperatures and behaviors.