Macromolecules, Vol.33, No.26, 9688-9695, 2000
Molecular structure in the crystalline phase of a segmented liquid crystalline polyester
Molecular structure refinement of a liquid crystalline segmented polymer using X-ray diffraction methods is reported. The investigated polymer contains the 3-allylbiphenyl unit as nematogenic unit. The space group is P2(1)/a, with cell parameters a = 12.82 Angstrom, b = 8.44 Angstrom, c = 19.72 Angstrom, and beta = 153.2 degrees, with two chains per unit cell. The main feature of this molecular packing is the layered organization of chains with a transversal intercalation of the flexible and the rigid units in the layer. Repetition of layers in space leads to an herringbone packing of biphenyl units along [001]. Transversal register between chains is such that the two phenyl rings of biphenyl unit are involved in "edge to face" contact.