An Efficient Asymmetric Synthesis of a Liquid Crystal

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1988-27458

A synthesis of L-(-)-4-(2-methylbutyl)phenyl4'-(2-methylbutyl)biphenyl-4-carboxylate (CE2) and of related chiral liquid crystals has been reported; nevertheless, a detailed experimental and spectrometric characterization of both the intermediates and the final product has been lacking in the literature.We present here the first synthesis of the enantiomer of CE2 with full experimental details including spectroscopic data for each of the intermediates.The description of the synthesis of (R)-(+)-2-methylbutanyl will be broadly useful for preparing other liquid crystals with optically active (R)-2-methylbutyl side chains.