Several synthetic strategies for the construction of linear and branched oligomesogenic
phosphonic acids are examined, which differ in the method of building the key bimesogen
unit. An efficient synthetic approach to the most promising compounds employs regioselective
Kumada cross-coupling between [11-(4′-pentylbiphenyl-4-yl)undecyl]magnesium bromide
and 4-(11-bromoundecyl)-4′-iodobiphenyl as the key step. Preliminary studies on the
ability of the new ligands to stabilize nanoparticles colloids in nematic liquid crystals
are undertaken for the example of quantum dots.
Key words
acylation - cross-coupling - phosphonic acids - total synthesis - ligands