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From the Molecular Structure to Spectroscopic and Material Properties: Computational Investigation of a Bent‐Core Nematic Liquid Crystal
Author(s) -
Greco Cristina,
Marini Alberto,
Frezza Elisa,
Ferrarini Alberta
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemphyschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.016
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1439-7641
pISSN - 1439-4235
DOI - 10.1002/cphc.201301030
Subject(s) - bent molecular geometry , liquid crystal , core (optical fiber) , phase (matter) , chemical physics , materials science , molecule , density functional theory , molecular geometry , molecular dynamics , crystal (programming language) , crystallography , chemistry , computational chemistry , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , computer science , composite material , programming language
Abstract We present a computational investigation of the nematic phase of the bent‐core liquid crystal A131. We use an integrated approach that bridges density functional theory calculations of molecular geometry and torsional potentials to elastic properties through the molecular conformational and orientational distribution function. This unique capability to simultaneously access different length scales enables us to consistently describe molecular and material properties. We can reassign 13 C NMR chemical shifts and analyze the dependence of phase properties on molecular shape. Focusing on the elastic constants we can draw some general conclusions on the unconventional behavior of bent‐core nematics and highlight the crucial role of a properly‐bent shape.