title: New para-substituted non-symmetric isoflavones for their fast photo-switching ability: synthesis and their liquid crystal characterization.
abstract: The first example of non-symmetric isoflavone-based fast photo-switchable liquid crystals with different functional groups at the terminal position were synthesized and characterized. Polarizing optical microscopy study revealed that the compounds showed least ordered nematic phase. Optical photo switching study exhibited very fast photoisomerization effect in solution. The E-Z and Z-E conversion occurred around 3-5s and 40-700 s respectively. This is also the first example of para-substituted non-symmetric isoflavone liquid crystals exhibiting very fast photo switching property in solution. Argument based on non-symmetrical behaviour might be the reason for the observed behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300 Gambang, Kuantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Yuvaraj
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wan Sinn
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Yam
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Tze Nee
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Yit Peng
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300 Gambang, Kuantan, Malaysia. Electronic address: murthyhegde@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gurumurthy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hegde
mesh_terms: D007529:Isoflavones / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D007536:Isomerism; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry*; D044367:Phase Transition / Q000528:radiation effects; D055668:Photochemical Processes / Q000528:radiation effects; D044366:Transition Temperature; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D007529:Isoflavones
keywords: Cis-trans isomerization; Fast photoswitching; Isoflavones; Non-symmetric; Photoisomerization