Synthesis and Characterization of Liquid Crystalline Cholesteryl-Modified Poly(monomethyl itaconate)

Itaconic acid (IA) is an unsaturated dicarbonic organic acid with one carboxyl group conjugated to the methylene group. The outstanding properties in polymer chemistry, pharmacyand agriculture open up new applications [1,2]. Cholesterol and its derivatives are fat-soluble molecules that occur innature. Ordered arrays of cholesterol molecules or mesogens result in the formation of liquid crystalline (LC) mesophases [3]. This study aims to the synthesis of monomethyl itaconatepolymers bearing variety amount of cholesterol side chains (PMMI-Chol-C6) containing an alkyl chain spacer andinvestigate their improved physical and chemical properties in comparison with itaconic acid homopolymer. Thermal and liquid crystal properties of the samples were investigated.