Mixed-dimer formation in binary systems of 4-substituted benzoic acids and structure considerations

The phase behavior of binary systems of 4-substituted benzoic acids is governed by the formation of mixed dimers. This study was conducted to determine the effect of the components’ structural difference on mixed-dimer formation in crystalline and liquid-crystalline phases. The phase diagrams of two systems, with 4-[(S)-(–)-2-methylbutoxy]benzoic acid (MBOBA) as one component and 4-(hex-5-enoxy)benzoic acid (HOBA) and 4-(dec-9-enoxy)benzoic acid (DOBA), respectively, as the second component, were determined by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized-light microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The MBOBA-HOBA system exhibited a cholesteric phase, two solid solutions, and above 58 °C for compositions between 40 and 80 mol% HOBA a crystalline phase of mixed dimers. The MBOBA-DOBA system showed a crystalline phase of mixed dimers at all compositions, a cholesteric phase, and a twisted smectic C phase, which was dominated by mixed dimers at 60 and 70 mol% DOBA. We conclude that liquid-crystalline phases are generally dominated by mixed dimers, but in crystalline phases the formation of mixed dimers is promoted by a greater difference in molecular structure. The crystal structure of two of the pure compounds MBOBA and DOBA and comparable compounds have been determined for an evaluation of the arrangements of the molecules in the crystal and liquid-crystalline state.Key words: benzoic acid, crystal arrangement, phase diagrams, liquid crystal.