Preparation and characterization of polypyrrole, N-substituted with liquid crystalline moieties

We describe the synthesis and polymerization of an N-substituted pyrrole. The substituent is an organic spacer chain culminating in a mesogenic cyanobiphenyl group. The monomer molecule is symmetrical, and its polymerization produces effectively exclusive head-to-tail coupling, resulting in increased chemical perfection of the polymer backbone. It is therefore not sensitive to head-tail or head-head coupling effects. The liquid crystallinities of the monomer and polymer have both been examined.