Synthetic Cationic Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Polymers

Abstract

We report the synthesis of six multifunctional cationic cholesteric liquid crystals polyesters functionalized with choline, amine and amide groups, to obtain new chemical formulations involving macromolecular features with new properties added to those of precursor chiral cholesteric polyesters. They are designed as: PTOBDME-Choline [(C34H36O8)n-C5H13N]; PTOBEE-Choline [(C26H20O8)n-C5H13N]; PTOBDME-Ammonium [(C34H36O8)n-C5H13N]; PTOBEE-Ammonium [(C26H20O8)n-C5H13N]; PTOBUME-Amide (C33H33O9N)n and PTOBEE-Amide (C26H19O9N)n. Structural characterization is performed by NMR. Thermal behaviour is studied by Thermogravimetry (TG) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), showing all the polymers endothermic transition from the crystal phase to liquid crystal mesophase. Chirality is determined by optical rotatory dispersion (ORD). The cationic cholesteric liquid crystal polymers described here have proved to act as non-viral vectors in Gene Therapy, transfecting DNA to the nucleus cell.