Design and synthesis of a new family of fluorinated liquid crystals.

A convenient and simple three-step pathway to the new family of CF(2)CF(2)S-bridged alkanes and CF(2)S-, CF(2)O-bridged alkenes and alkynes was elaborated by using catalytic olefination reaction as a key step of the synthetic sequence. The obtained compounds revealed attractive liquid crystalline characteristics.

Fragmentation of trifluoromethylated alkenes and acetylenes by N,N-binucleophiles. Synthesis of imidazolines or imidazolidines (oxazolidines) controlled by substituent.

The reaction of beta-halogeno-beta-polyfluoromethylstyrenes with N,N- or N,O-binucleophiles leads to unexpected fragmentation products (imidazolines) or to heterocyclization giving CF(3)-substituted imidazolidines (N,N-) and oxazolidines (N,O-) depending on aryl substituent. The scope and the reaction mechanism are discussed.