Patent Application
20190292460
The present invention relates to liquid-crystalline media and to high-frequency components comprising these media, especially microwave components for high-frequency devices, such as devices for shifting the phase of microwaves, tunable filters, tunable metamaterial structures, and electronic beam steering antennas (e.g. phased array antennas).
Liquid-crystalline media have a been used for many years in electro-optical displays (liquid crystal displays: LCDs) in order to display information. More recently, however, liquid-crystalline media have also been proposed for use in components for microwave technology, such as, for example, in DE 10 2004 029 429.1 A and in JP 2005-120208 (A).
A. Gaebler, F. Goelden, S. Müller, A. Penirschke and R. Jakoby “Direct Simulation of Material Permittivites using an Eigen-Susceptibility Formulation of the Vector Variational Approach”, 12MTC 2009—International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, Singapore, 2009 (IEEE), pp. 463-467, describe the corresponding properties of the known liquid-crystal mixture E7 (Merck KGaA, Germany).
DE 10 2004 029 429 A describes the use of liquid-crystal media in microwave technology, inter alia in phase shifters. Therein, liquid-crystalline media with respect to their properties in the corresponding frequency range have been discussed and liquid-crystalline media based on mixtures of mostly aromatic nitriles and isothiocyanates have been shown.
In EP 2 982 730 A1, mixtures are described that completely consist of isothiocyanate compounds.
However, these compositions are all still afflicted with several disadvantages. It is required to improve these media with respect to their general physical properties, in particular the shelf life and the stability under operation in a device have to be improved.
Surprisingly, it has been found that it is possible to achieve liquid-crystalline media having excellent stability and at the same time a high dielectric anisotropy, suitably fast switching times, a suitable, nematic phase range, high tunability and low dielectric loss, by using compounds of formula D below.
The present invention relates to liquid-crystalline media comprising
a) one or more compounds of the formula D,
in which
denotes
and in which one or more H atoms may be replaced by halogen,
in which
preferably denotes
and the other preferably denotes
preferably
more preferably
denotes
denotes
denotes
preferably denotes
preferably denotes
alternatively independently denotes
preferably
more preferably
denotes
denotes
denotes
The media according to the present invention are surprisingly stable towards heat and/or light, especially UV light. In particular, the thermal stability is very high. The media according to the present invention are furthermore distinguished by a high clearing temperature and broad nematic phase range. As a result, devices containing the media are operable under extreme temperature conditions.
The media are further distinguished by high values of the dielectric anisotropy and low rotational viscosities. As a result, the threshold voltage, i.e. the minimum voltage at which a device is switchable, is very low. A low operating voltage and low threshold voltage is desired in order to enable a device having improved switching characteristics and high energy efficiency. Low rotational viscosities enable fast switching of the devices according to the invention.
These properties as a whole make the media particularly suitable for use in components and devices for high-frequency technology and applications in the microwave range, in particular devices for shifting the phase of microwaves, tunable filters, tunable metamaterial structures, and electronic beam steering antennas (e.g. phased array antennas).
A further object of the present invention are components operable in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum and devices comprising said components.
Preferred components are phase shifters, varactors, wireless and radio wave antenna arrays, matching circuits, adaptive filters and others.
Halogen is F, Cl, Br or I, preferably F or Cl, particularly preferably F.
Preferred compounds of the formula D are the compounds selected from the group of compounds of the formulae D-1 and D-2, particularly preferred from the compounds of the formula D-1:
wherein
The medium according to the invention preferably comprises one or more compounds of formula D-1, preferably selected from the group of compounds of the formulae D-1a to D-1e
In a preferred embodiment, the media according to the invention comprise, in addition to the compounds of formula D, one or more stabilisers selected from the group of compounds of the following formulae:
in which
—CO—O—, —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another, and in which, in addition, one or more H atoms may be replaced by halogen,
denotes
Of the compounds of the formula ST, special preference is given to the compounds of the formulae
in which n=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, preferably n=1 or 7
in which n=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, preferably n=3
In the compounds of the formulae ST-3a, n preferably denotes 3. In the compounds of the formula ST-2a, n more preferably denotes 7.
Very particularly preferred mixtures according to the invention comprise one or more stabilisers from the group of the compounds of the formulae ST-2a-1, ST-3a-1, ST-8-1, ST-9-1 and ST-12:
The compounds of the formulae ST-1 to ST-18 are preferably each present in the liquid-crystal mixtures according to the invention in amounts of 0.005-0.5%, based on the mixture.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compounds of formula I are selected from the group of compounds of the formulae I-1 to I-5:
in which
The media preferably comprise one or more compounds of formula I-1, which are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae I-1a to I-1d, preferably of formula I-1b:
in which R1 has the meaning indicated above for formula I and preferably denotes unfluorinated alkyl having 1 to 7 C atoms or unfluorinated alkenyl having 2 to 7 C atoms.
The media preferably comprise one or more compounds of formula I-2, which are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae I-2a to I-2e, preferably of formula I-2c:
in which R1 has the meaning indicated above for formula I and preferably denotes unfluorinated alkyl having 1 to 7 C atoms or unfluorinated alkenyl having 2 to 7 C atoms.
The media preferably comprise one or more compounds of formula I-3, which are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae I-3a to I-3d, particularly preferably of formula I-3b:
in which R1 has the meaning indicated above for formula I and preferably denotes unfluorinated alkyl having 1 to 7 C atoms or unfluorinated alkenyl having 2 to 7 C atoms.
The media preferably comprise one or more compounds of formula I-4, which are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae I-4a to I-4e, particularly preferably of formula I-4b:
in which R1 has the meaning indicated above for formula I and preferably denotes unfluorinated alkyl having 1 to 7 C atoms or unfluorinated alkenyl having 2 to 7 C atoms.
The media preferably comprise one or more compounds of formula I-5, which are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae I-5a to I-5d, particularly preferably of formula I-5b:
in which R1 has the meaning indicated above for formula I and preferably denotes unfluorinated alkyl having 1 to 7 C atoms or unfluorinated alkenyl having 2 to 7 C atoms.
The media preferably comprise one or more compounds of formula II, which are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae II-1 to II-3, preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae II-1 and II-2:
in which the occurring groups have the meanings given under formula II above and preferably
denotes
and preferably
The compounds of formula II-1 are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae II-1a to II-1e:
in which
The compounds of formula II-2 are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae II-2a and II-2b:
in which
The compounds of formula II-3 are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the of formulae II-3a to II-3d:
in which
The compounds of formula III are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae III-1 to III-6, more preferably of the formulae selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae III-1, III-2, III-3 and III-4, and particularly preferably of formula III-1:
in which
preferably
denotes
preferably
and preferably
The compounds of formula III-1 are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae III-1a to III-1f, more preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae III-1a and III-1b, particularly preferably of formula III-1b:
in which
The compounds of formula III-2 are preferably compounds of formula III-2a to III-2h:
in which
The compounds of formula III-5 are preferably selected from the compounds of formula III-5a:
In a preferred embodiment, the media according to the invention comprise one or more compounds selected from the group of compounds of the formulae II-1a-1 to II-1a-12, very preferably II-1a-1 or II-1a-2:
in which
Additionally, the liquid-crystalline media according to the present invention in a certain embodiment, which may be the same or different from the previous preferred embodiments preferably comprise one or more compounds of formula IV,
in which s is 0 or 1, preferably 1,
denotes
preferably
particularly preferably
In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the liquid-crystal medium additionally comprises one or more compounds selected from the group of compounds of the formulae V, VI, VII, VIII and IX:
in which
and
denote
denotes
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid-crystal medium comprises one or more compounds of the formula V, preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae V-1 to V-3, preferably of the formulae V-1 and/or V-2 and/or V-3, preferably of the formulae V-1 and V-2:
in which the parameters have the respective meanings indicated above for formula V and preferably
The compounds of the formula V-1 are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae V-1a to V-1d, preferably V-1c and V-1d:
in which the parameters have the respective meanings indicated above for formula V-1 and in which
The compounds of the formula V-2 are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae V-2a to V-2e and/or from the group of the compounds of the formulae V-2f and V-2g:
where in each case the compounds of the formula V-2a are excluded from the compounds of the formulae V-2b and V-2c, the compounds of the formula V-2b are excluded from the compounds of the formula V-2c and the compounds of the formula V-2e are excluded from the compounds of the formula V-2, and
in which the parameters have the respective meanings indicated above for formula V-1 and in which
The compounds of the formula V-3 are preferably compounds of the formula V-3a:
in which the parameters have the respective meanings indicated above for formula V-1 and in which preferably
The compounds of the formula V-1a are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae V-1a-1 and V-1a-2, more preferably these compounds of the formula V predominantly consist, even more preferably essentially consist and very particularly preferably completely consist thereof:
in which
The compounds of the formula V-1b are preferably compounds of the formula V-1b-1:
in which
The compounds of the formula V-1c are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae V-1c-1 to V-1c-4, particularly preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae V-1c-1 and V-1c-2:
in which
The compounds of the formula V-1d are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae V-1d-1 and V-1d-2, particularly preferably the compound of the formula V-1d-2:
in which
The compounds of the formula V-2a are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae V-2a-1 and V-2a-2, particularly preferably the compounds of the formula V-2a-1:
in which
Preferred combinations of (R51 and R52), in particular in the case of formula V-2a-1, are (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1), (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1), (CH2═CH—(CH2)z and CmH2m+1), (CH2═CH—(CH2)z and O—CmH2m+1) and (CnH2n+1 and (CH2)z—CH═CH2).
Preferred compounds of the formula V-2b are the compounds of the formula V-2b-1:
in which
The preferred combination of (R51 and R52) here is, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1).
Preferred compounds of the formula V-2c are the compounds of the formula V-2c-1:
in which
The preferred combination of (R51 and R52) here is, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1).
Preferred compounds of the formula V-2d are the compounds of the formula V-2d-1:
in which
The preferred combination of (R51 and R52) here is, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1).
Preferred compounds of the formula V-2e are the compounds of the formula V-2e-1:
in which
The preferred combination of (R51 and R52) here is, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1).
Preferred compounds of the formula V-2f are the compounds of the formula V-2f-1:
in which
The preferred combinations of (R51 and R52) here are, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1) and (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1), particularly preferably (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1).
Preferred compounds of the formula V-2g are the compounds of the formula V-2g-1:
in which
The preferred combinations of (R51 and R52) here are, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1) and (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1), particularly preferably (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1).
The compounds of the formula VI are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae VI-1 to VI-5:
in which
The compounds of the formula VI-1 are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae VI-1a and VI-1b, more preferably selected from compounds of the formula VI-1a:
in which
The preferred combinations of (R61 and R62) here are, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1) and (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1), in the case of formula VI-1a particularly preferably (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1) and in the case of formula VI-1b particularly preferably (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1).
The compounds of the formula VI-3 are preferably selected from the compounds of the formula VI-3a to VI-3c:
in which the parameters have the meaning given above under formula VI-3 and preferably
The compounds of the formula VI-4 are preferably selected from compounds of the formulae VI-4a to VI-4e:
in which the parameters have the meaning given above under formula VI-4 and preferably
The compounds of the formula VI-5 are preferably selected from the compounds of the formula VI-5b:
in which the parameters have the meaning given above under formula VI-5 and preferably
The compounds of the formula VII are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae VII-1 to VII-6:
where the compounds of the formula VII-5 are excluded from the compounds of the formula VII-6, and
in which the parameters have the respective meanings indicated above for formula VII,
The compounds of the formula VII-1 are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae VII-1a to VII-1d:
in which X72 has the meaning given above for formula VII-2 and
The compounds of the formula VII-2 are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae VII-2a and VII-2b, particularly preferably of the formula VII-2a:
in which
The preferred combinations of (R71 and R72) here are, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1) and (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1), particularly preferably (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1).
The compounds of the formula VII-3 are preferably compounds of the formula VII-3a:
in which
The preferred combinations of (R71 and R72) here are, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1) and (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1), particularly preferably (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1).
The compounds of the formula VII-4 are preferably compounds of the formula VII-4a:
in which
The preferred combinations of (R71 and R72) here are, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1) and (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1), particularly preferably (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1).
The compounds of the formula VII-5 are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae VII-5a and VII-5b, more preferably of the formula VII-5a:
The preferred combinations of (R71 and R72) here are, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1) and (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1), particularly preferably (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1).
The compounds of the formula VII-6 are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae VII-6a and VII-6b:
in which
The preferred combinations of (R71 and R72) here are, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1) and (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1), particularly preferably (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1).
The compounds of the formula VII-7 are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae VII-7a and VII-7b:
in which
The compounds of the formula VIII are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae VIII-1 to VIII-3, more preferably these compounds of the formula VIII predominantly consist, even more preferably essentially consist and very particularly preferably completely consist thereof:
in which
one of
The preferred combinations of (R81 and R82) here are, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1) and (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1), particularly preferably (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1).
The compounds of the formula VIII-1 are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae VIII-1a to VIII-1c:
in which
The preferred combinations of (R81 and R82) here are, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1) and (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1), particularly preferably (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1).
The compounds of the formula VIII-2 are preferably compounds of the formula VIII-2a:
in which
The preferred combinations of (R81 and R82) here are, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1), (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1) and (CH2═CH—(CH2)z and CmH2m+1), particularly preferably (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1).
The compounds of the formula VIII-3 are preferably compounds of the formula VIII-3a:
in which
The preferred combinations of (R81 and R82) here are, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1) and (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1).
The compounds of the formula IX are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae IX-1 to IX-3:
in which the parameters have the respective meaning indicated above under formula IX and preferably
one of
denotes
and
in which
The preferred combinations of (R91 and R92) here are, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1) and (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1).
The compounds of the formula IX-1 are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae IX-1a to IX-1e:
in which the parameters have the meaning given above and preferably
The compounds of the formula IX-2 are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae IX-2a and IX-2b:
in which
The preferred combination of (R91 and R92) here is, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1).
The compounds of the formula IX-3 are preferably compounds of the formulae IX-3a and IX-3b:
in which
The preferred combinations of (R91 and R92) here are, in particular, (CnH2n+1 and CmH2m+1) and (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1), particularly preferably (CnH2n+1 and O—CmH2m+1).
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the medium comprises one or more compounds of formula X
in which
and where
alternatively denotes
in which the occurring groups and parameters have the meanings given above for formula X.
Particularly preferably, the media according to the invention comprise one or more compounds selected from the group of compounds of the formulae X-1-1 to X-1-9
Where R101 has the meaning indicated above.
The media according to the present invention comprise one or more chiral dopants. Preferably these chiral dopants have an absolute value of the helical twisting power (HTP) in the range of from 1 μm−1 to 150 μm−1, preferably in the range of from 10 μm−1 to 100 μm−1. In case the media comprise two or more chiral dopants, these may have opposite signs of their HTP-values. This condition is preferred for some specific embodiments, as it allows to compensate the chirality of the respective compounds to some degree and, thus, may be used to compensate various temperature dependent properties of the resulting media in the devices. Generally, however, it is preferred that most, preferably all of the chiral compounds present in the media according to the present invention have the same sign of their HTP-values.
Preferably the chiral dopants present in the media according to the instant application are mesogenic compounds and most preferably they exhibit a mesophase on their own.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the medium comprises two or more chiral compounds which all have the same algebraic sign of the HTP.
The temperature dependence of the HTP of the individual compounds may be high or low. The temperature dependence of the pitch of the medium can be compensated by mixing compounds having different temperature dependencies of the HTP in corresponding ratios.
For the optically active component, a multitude of chiral dopants, some of which are commercially available, is available to the person skilled in the art, such as, for example, cholesteryl nonanoate, R- and S-811, R- and S-1011, R- and S-2011, R- and S-3011, R- and S-4011, or CB15 (all Merck KGaA, Darmstadt).
Particularly suitable dopants are compounds which contain one or more chiral groups and one or more mesogenic groups, or one or more aromatic or alicyclic groups which form a mesogenic group with the chiral group.
Suitable chiral groups are, for example, chiral branched hydrocarbon radicals, chiral ethane diols, binaphthols or dioxolanes, furthermore mono- or polyvalent chiral groups selected from the group consisting of sugar derivatives, sugar alcohols, sugar acids, lactic acids, chiral substituted glycols, steroid derivatives, terpene derivatives, amino acids or sequences of a few, preferably 1-5, amino acids.
Preferred chiral groups are sugar derivatives, such as glucose, mannose, galactose, fructose, arabinose and dextrose; sugar alcohols, such as, for example, sorbitol, mannitol, iditol, galactitol or anhydro derivatives thereof, in particular dianhydrohexitols, such as dianhydrosorbide (1,4:3,6-dianhydro-D-sorbide, isosorbide), dianhydromannitol (isosorbitol) or dianhydroiditol (isoiditol); sugar acids, such as, for example, gluconic acid, gulonic acid and ketogulonic acid; chiral substituted glycol radicals, such as, for example, mono- or oligoethylene or propylene glycols, in which one or more CH2 groups are substituted by alkyl or alkoxy; amino acids, such as, for example, alanine, valine, phenylglycine or phenylalanine, or sequences of from 1 to 5 of these amino acids; steroid derivatives, such as, for example, cholesteryl or cholic acid radicals; terpene derivatives, such as, for example, menthyl, neomenthyl, campheyl, pineyl, terpineyl, isolongifolyl, fenchyl, carreyl, myrthenyl, nopyl, geraniyl, linaloyl, neryl, citronellyl or dihydrocitronellyl.
The media according to the present invention preferably comprise chiral dopants which are selected from the group of known chiral dopants. Suitable chiral groups and mesogenic chiral compounds are described, for example, in DE 34 25 503, DE 35 34 777, DE 35 34 778, DE 35 34 779 and DE 35 34 780, DE 43 42 280, EP 01 038 941 and DE 195 41 820. Examples are also compounds listed in Table F below.
Chiral compounds preferably used according to the present invention are selected from the group consisting of the formulae shown below.
Particular preference is given to chiral dopants selected from the group consisting of compounds of the following formulae A-I to A-III and A-Ch:
in which
Particular preference is given to dopants selected from the group consisting of the compounds of the following formulae:
in which
m is, on each occurrence, identically or differently, an integer from 1 to 9 and
Particularly preferred compounds of formula A are compounds of formula A-III.
Further preferred dopants are derivatives of the isosorbide, isomannitol or isoiditol of the following formula A-IV:
in which the group
preferably dianhydrosorbitol,
and chiral ethane diols, such as, for example, diphenylethanediol (hydrobenzoin), in particular mesogenic hydrobenzoin derivatives of the following formula A-V:
including the (S,S) enantiomers, which are not shown,
in which
Examples of compounds of formula IV are:
Wherein RIV has the meaning of R0.
The compounds of the formula A-IV are described in WO 98/00428. The compounds of the formula A-V are described in GB-A-2,328,207.
Very particularly preferred dopants are chiral binaphthyl derivatives, as described in WO 02/94805, chiral binaphthol acetal derivatives, as described in WO 02/34739, chiral TADDOL derivatives, as described in WO 02/06265, and chiral dopants having at least one fluorinated bridging group and a terminal or central chiral group, as described in WO 02/06196 and WO 02/06195.
Particular preference is given to chiral compounds of the formula A-VI
in which
both are a single bond,
Particular preference is given to chiral binaphthyl derivatives of the formula A-VI-1
in which ring B, R0 and Z0 are as defined for the formulae A-IV and A-V, and b is 0, 1, or 2,
in particular those selected from the following formulae A-VI-1a to A-VI-1c:
in which Z0 is as defined for the formula A-VI-1, and
The concentration of the one or more chiral dopant(s), in the LC medium is preferably in the range from 0.001% to 20%, preferably from 0.05% to 5%, more preferably from 0.1% to 2%, and, most preferably from 0.5% to 1.5%. These preferred concentration ranges apply in particular to the chiral dopant S-4011 or R-4011 (both from Merck KGaA) and for chiral dopants having the same or a similar HTP. For Chiral dopants having either a higher or a lower absolute value of the HTP compared to S-4011 these preferred concentrations have to be decreased, respectively increased proportionally according to the ratio of their HTP values relatively to that of S-4011.
The pitch p of the LC media or host mixtures according to the invention is preferably in the range of from 5 to 50 μm, more preferably from 8 to 30 μm and particularly preferably from 10 to 20 μm.
The compounds according to the present invention can be synthesized by or in analogy to known methods described in the literature (for example in the standard works such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der Organischen Chemie [Methods of Organic Chemistry], Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart), under reaction conditions which are known and suitable for said reactions. Use may also be made here of variants which are known per se, but are not mentioned here. In particular, they can be prepared as described in or in analogy to the following reaction schemes. Further methods for preparing the inventive compounds can be taken from the examples.
Other mesogenic compounds which are not explicitly mentioned above can optionally and advantageously also be used in the media in accordance with the present invention. Such compounds are known to the person skilled in the art.
The total concentration of compounds of formula D in the liquid-crystalline medium is in the range of from 0.01% to 1%, preferably from 0.05% to 0.75%, more preferably from 0.08% to 0.4%, more preferably from 0.09% to 0.3%, particularly preferably from 0.1% to 0.2%.
Preferably the total concentration of the compounds of formulae I to III in the medium is in the range of from 80% to 99%, more preferably from 90% to 99% and most preferably in the range of from 95% to 99%.
The total concentration of the compounds of formula I-3, preferably of the formula I-3b, in the media is in the range of from 10% to 70%, more preferably from 20% to 60%, more preferably from 30% to 55% and, most preferably from 40% to 50%.
The liquid-crystalline media according to the present invention preferably comprise in total 5% to 45%, preferably 10% to 40% and particularly preferably 15% to 35%, of compounds of formula III.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the medium comprises one or more compounds of formula III-1, in a total concentration of 2% to 25%, more preferably 5% to 20%, particularly preferably 8% to 16%.
In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the liquid-crystalline media comprise in each case one or more compounds of the formulae I, II and III, the concentration of the compounds of formula I is preferably 15% to 40%, preferably 20% to 35% and particularly preferably 25% to 30%, the concentration of the compounds of formula II is preferably 10% to 35%, preferably 15% to 30% and particularly preferably 20% to 25% and the concentration of the compounds of formula III is preferably 25% to 50%, preferably 30% to 45% and particularly preferably 35% to 40%.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the liquid-crystalline media comprise in each case one or more compounds of the formulae I and II, but at most 5% and preferably no compounds of formula III, the concentration of the compounds of formula I is preferably 10% to 50%, preferably 20% to 40% and particularly preferably 25% to 35% the concentration of the compounds of formula II is preferably 40% to 70% preferably 50% to 65% and particularly preferably 55% to 60%, and the concentration of the compounds of formula III is preferably 1% to 4%, preferably 1% to 3% and particularly preferably 0%.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid-crystalline medium comprises in total 30% or more, preferably 40% or more and particularly preferably 50% or more compounds of formula I, preferably selected from the group of compounds of the I-1, 1-2 and I-3, particularly preferably selected from the compounds of the formulae I-2 and I-3.
Preferably, the medium according to the invention comprises a total concentration of less than 40% of compounds of formula I-1, preferably less than 20%, and particularly preferably less than 15%.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid-crystalline medium comprises one or more compounds of formula I in the range of from 1% to 20%, preferably from 5% to 15%.
In a preferred embodiment, the medium comprises one or more compounds of formula I-2 in a total concentration in the range of from 5% to 30%, more preferably from 10% to 25%, and particularly preferably from 15% to 20%.
In a preferred embodiment, the total concentration of the compounds of formula I-3 in the media according to the present invention is in the range of from 10% to 70%, more preferably from 20% to 60%, and particularly preferably from 25% to 55%.
In a preferred embodiment, the total concentration of the compounds of formula I-3 in the media according to the present invention is 20% or more, more preferably 25% or more and particularly preferably 30% or more.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the medium comprises one or more compounds of formula II in a total concentration of 5% to 35%, more preferably 10% to 30%, particularly preferably 15% to 20%.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the medium comprises one or more compounds of formula II-1 in a total concentration of 5% to 25%, more preferably 7% to 20%, particularly preferably 10% to 15%.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the medium comprises one or more compounds of formula II-1 in an total concentration of 25% or less, more preferably 20% or less, particularly preferably 15% or less, very particularly preferably 10% or less.
Further preferred embodiments of the present invention are as follows, wherein some compounds are abbreviated using the acronyms given in Table C:
The liquid-crystal media in accordance with the present invention preferably have a clearing point of 90° C. or more, more preferably 100° C. or more, more preferably 110° C. or more, more preferably 120° C. or more, more preferably 130° C. or more, particularly preferably 140° C. or more and very particularly preferably 150° C. or more.
The liquid-crystal media in accordance with the present invention preferably have a clearing point of 160° C. or less, more preferably 140° C. or less, particularly preferably 120° C. or less, and very particularly preferably 100° C. or less.
The nematic phase of the media according to the invention preferably extends at least from 00° C. or less to 90° C. or more. It is advantageous for the media according to the invention to exhibit even broader nematic phase ranges, preferably at least from −10° C. or less to 120° C. or more, very preferably at least from −20° C. or less to 140° C. or more and in particular at least from −30° C. or less to 150° C. or more, very particularly preferably at least from −40° C. or less to 170° C. or more.
The Δε of the liquid-crystal medium according to the present invention, at 1 kHz and 20° C., is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 2 or more and very preferably 3 or more.
The Δn of the liquid-crystal media according to the present invention, at 589 nm (NaD) and 20° C., is preferably in the range from 0.200 or more to 0.90 or less, more preferably in the range from 0.250 or more to 0.90 or less, even more preferably in the range from 0.300 or more to 0.85 or less and very particularly preferably in the range from 0.350 or more to 0.800 or less.
In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the Δn of the liquid-crystal media in accordance with the present invention is preferably 0.50 or more, more preferably 0.55 or more.
The compounds of the formulae I to III in each case include dielectrically positive compounds having a dielectric anisotropy of greater than 3, dielectrically neutral compounds having a dielectric anisotropy of less than 3 and greater than −1.5 and dielectrically negative compounds having a dielectric anisotropy of −1.5 or less.
The compounds of the formulae I, II and III are preferably dielectrically positive.
In the present application, the expression dielectrically positive describes compounds or components where Δε>3.0, dielectrically neutral describes those where −1.5<Δε<3.0 and dielectrically negative describes those where Δϵ<−1.5. Δε is determined at a frequency of 1 kHz and at 20° C. The dielectric anisotropy of the respective compound is determined from the results of a solution of 10% of the respective individual compound in a nematic host mixture. If the solubility of the respective compound in the host mixture is less than 10%, the concentration is reduced to 5%. The capacitances of the test mixtures are determined both in a cell having homeotropic alignment and in a cell having homogeneous alignment. The cell thickness of both types of cells is approximately 20 μm. The voltage applied is a rectangular wave having a frequency of 1 kHz and an effective value of typically 0.5 V to 1.0 V, but it is always selected to be below the capacitive threshold of the respective test mixture.
Δε is defined as (ε∥−ϵ⊥), while εave. is (ε∥+2ε⊥)/3.
The host mixture used for dielectrically positive compounds is mixture ZLI-4792 and that used for dielectrically neutral and dielectrically negative compounds is mixture ZLI-3086, both from Merck KGaA, Germany. The absolute values of the dielectric constants of the compounds are determined from the change in the respective values of the host mixture on addition of the compounds of interest. The values are extrapolated to a concentration of the compounds of interest of 100%.
Components having a nematic phase at the measurement temperature of 20° C. are measured as such, all others are treated like compounds.
The expression threshold voltage in the present application refers to the optical threshold and is quoted for 10% relative contrast (V10), and the expression saturation voltage refers to the optical saturation and is quoted for 90% relative contrast (V90), in both cases unless expressly stated otherwise. The capacitive threshold voltage (V0), also called the Freedericks threshold (VFr), is only used if expressly mentioned.
The parameter ranges indicated in this application all include the limit values, unless expressly stated otherwise.
The different upper and lower limit values indicated for various ranges of properties in combination with one another give rise to additional preferred ranges.
Throughout this application, the following conditions and definitions apply, unless expressly stated otherwise. All concentrations are quoted in percent by weight and relate to the respective mixture as a whole, all temperatures are quoted in degrees Celsius and all temperature differences are quoted in differential degrees. All physical properties are determined in accordance with “Merck Liquid Crystals, Physical Properties of Liquid Crystals”, Status November 1997, Merck KGaA, Germany, and are quoted for a temperature of 20° C., unless expressly stated otherwise. The optical anisotropy (Δn) is determined at a wavelength of 589.3 nm. The dielectric anisotropy (Δε) is determined at a frequency of 1 kHz. The threshold voltages, as well as all other electro-optical properties, are determined using test cells produced at Merck KGaA, Germany. The test cells for the determination of Δε have a cell thickness of approximately 20 μm. The electrode is a circular ITO electrode having an area of 1.13 cm2 and a guard ring. The orientation layers are SE-1211 from Nissan Chemicals, Japan, for homeotropic orientation (ε∥) and polyimide AL-1054 from Japan Synthetic Rubber, Japan, for homogeneous orientation (ε⊥). The capacitances are determined using a Solatron 1260 frequency response analyser using a sine wave with a voltage of 0.3 Vrms. The light used in the electro-optical measurements is white light. A set-up using a commercially available DMS instrument from Autronic-Melchers, Germany, is used here. The characteristic voltages have been determined under perpendicular observation. The threshold (V10), mid-grey (V50) and saturation (V90) voltages have been determined for 10%, 50% and 90% relative contrast, respectively.
The liquid-crystalline media are investigated with respect to their properties in the microwave frequency range as described in A.
Penirschke et al. “Cavity Perturbation Method for Characterization of Liquid Crystals up to 35 GHz”, 34th European Microwave Conference—Amsterdam, pp. 545-548. Compare in this respect also A. Gaebler et al. “Direct Simulation of Material Permittivities . . . ”, 12MTC 2009—International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, Singapore, 2009 (IEEE), pp. 463-467, and DE 10 2004 029 429 A, in which a measurement method is likewise described in detail.
The liquid crystal is introduced into a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or quartz capillary. The capillary has an inner diameter of 0.5 mm and an outer diameter of 0.78 mm. The effective length is 2.0 cm. The filled capillary is introduced into the centre of the cylindrical cavity with a resonance frequency of 19 GHz. This cavity has a length of 11.5 mm and a radius of 6 mm. The input signal (source) is then applied, and the frequency depending response of the cavity is recorded using a commercial vector network analyser (N5227A PNA Microwave Network Analyzer, Keysight Technologies Inc. USA. For other frequencies, the dimensions of the cavity are adapted correspondingly.
The change in the resonance frequency and the Q factor between the measurement with the capillary filled with the liquid crystal and the measurement without the capillary filled with the liquid crystal is used to determine the dielectric constant and the loss angle at the corresponding target frequency by means of equations 10 and 11 in the above-mentioned publication A. Penirschke et al., 34th European Microwave Conference—Amsterdam, pp. 545-548, as described therein.
The values for the components of the properties perpendicular and parallel to the director of the liquid crystal are obtained by alignment of the liquid crystal in a magnetic field. To this end, the magnetic field of a permanent magnet is used. The strength of the magnetic field is 0.35 tesla.
Preferred components are phase shifters, varactors, wireless and radio wave antenna arrays, matching circuit adaptive filters and others.
In the present application, the term compounds is taken to mean both one compound and a plurality of compounds, unless expressly stated otherwise.
The liquid-crystal media according to the invention preferably have nematic phases in preferred ranges given above. The expression have a nematic phase here means on the one hand that no smectic phase and no crystallisation are observed at low temperatures at the corresponding temperature and on the other hand that no clearing occurs on heating from the nematic phase. At high temperatures, the clearing point is measured in capillaries by conventional methods. The investigation at low temperatures is carried out in a flow viscometer at the corresponding temperature and checked by storage of bulk samples: The storage stability in the bulk (LTS) of the media according to the invention at a given temperature T is determined by visual inspection. 2 g of the media of interest are filled into a closed glass vessel (bottle) of appropriate size placed in a refrigerator at a predetermined temperature. The bottles are checked at defined time intervals for the occurrence of smectic phases or crystallisation. For every material and at each temperature two bottles are stored. If crystallisation or the appearance of a smectic phase is observed in at least one of the two correspondent bottles the test is terminated and the time of the last inspection before the one at which the occurrence of a higher ordered phase is observed is recorded as the respective storage stability. The test is finally terminated after 1000 h, i.e. an LTS value of 1000 h means that the mixture is stable at the given temperature for at least 1000 h.
Furthermore, the liquid-crystal media according to the invention are characterised by high optical anisotropy values in the visible range, especially at a wavelength of 589.0 nm (i.e. at the Na“D” line). The birefringence at 589 nm is preferably 0.20 or more, particularly preferably 0.25 or more, particularly preferably 0.30 or more, particularly preferably 0.40 or more and very particularly preferably 0.45 or more. In addition, the birefringence is preferably 0.80 or less.
The liquid crystals employed preferably have a positive dielectric anisotropy. This is preferably 2 or more, preferably 4 or more, particularly preferably 6 or more and very particularly preferably 10 or more.
Furthermore, the liquid-crystal media according to the invention are characterised by high anisotropy values in the microwave range. The birefringence at about 19 GHz is, for example, preferably 0.14 or more, particularly preferably 0.15 or more, particularly preferably 0.20 or more, particularly preferably 0.25 or more and very particularly preferably 0.30 or more.
In addition, the birefringence is preferably 0.80 or less.
The dielectric anisotropy in the microwave range is defined as
Δεr≡(εr,∥−εr,⊥).
The tunability (τ) is defined as
τ≡(Δεr/εr,∥)
The material quality (η) is defined as
η≡(τ/tan δε
the maximum dielectric loss is
tan δε
The material quality (η) of the preferred liquid-crystal materials is 6 or more, preferably 8 or more, preferably 10 or more, preferably 15 or more, preferably 17 or more, preferably 20 or more, particularly preferably 25 or more and very particularly preferably 30 or more.
In the corresponding components, the preferred liquid-crystal materials have phase shifter qualities of 15°/dB or more, preferably 20°/dB or more, preferably 30°/dB or more, preferably 40°/dB or more, preferably 50°/dB or more, particularly preferably 80°/dB or more and very particularly preferably 100°/dB or more.
In some embodiments, however, liquid crystals having a negative value of the dielectric anisotropy can also advantageously be used.
The liquid crystals employed are either individual substances or mixtures. They preferably have a nematic phase.
The term “alkyl” preferably encompasses straight-chain and branched alkyl groups having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, in particular the straight-chain groups methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl and heptyl. Groups having 2 to 10 carbon atoms are generally preferred.
The term “alkenyl” preferably encompasses straight-chain and branched alkenyl groups having 2 to 15 carbon atoms, in particular the straight-chain groups. Particularly preferred alkenyl groups are C2- to C7-1E-alkenyl, C4- to C7-3E-alkenyl, C5- to C7-4-alkenyl, C6- to C7-5-alkenyl and C7-6-alkenyl, in particular C2- to C7-1E-alkenyl, C4- to C7-3E-alkenyl and C5- to C7-4-alkenyl. Examples of further preferred alkenyl groups are vinyl, 1E-propenyl, 1E-butenyl, 1E-pentenyl, 1E-hexenyl, 1E-heptenyl, 3-butenyl, 3E-pentenyl, 3E-hexenyl, 3E-heptenyl, 4-pentenyl, 4Z-hexenyl, 4E-hexenyl, 4Z-heptenyl, 5-hexenyl, 6-heptenyl and the like. Groups having up to 5 carbon atoms are generally preferred.
The term “fluoroalkyl” preferably encompasses straight-chain groups having a terminal fluorine, i.e. fluoromethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 3-fluoropropyl, 4-fluorobutyl, 5-fluoropentyl, 6-fluorohexyl and 7-fluoroheptyl. However, other positions of the fluorine are not excluded.
The term “oxaalkyl” or “alkoxyalkyl” preferably encompasses straight-chain radicals of the formula CnH2n+1—O—(CH2)m, in which n and m each, independently of one another, denote 1 to 10. Preferably, n is 1 and m is 1 to 6.
Compounds containing a vinyl end group and compounds containing a methyl end group have low rotational viscosity.
In the present application, high-frequency technology means applications of electromagnetic radiation having frequencies in the range of from 1 MHz to 1 THz, preferably from 1 GHz to 500 GHz, more preferably 2 GHz to 300 GHz, particularly preferably from about 5 GHz to 150 GHz.
The liquid-crystal media in accordance with the present invention may comprise further additives and chiral dopants in the usual concentrations. The total concentration of these further constituents is in the range from 0% to 10%, preferably 0.1% to 6%, based on the mixture as a whole. The concentrations of the individual compounds used are each preferably in the range from 0.1% to 3%. The concentration of these and similar additives is not taken into consideration when quoting the values and concentration ranges of the liquid-crystal components and liquid-crystal compounds of the liquid-crystal media in this application.
Preferably the media according to the present invention comprise one or more chiral compounds as chiral dopants in order to adjust their cholesteric pitch. Their total concentration in the media according to the instant invention is preferably in the range 0.05% to 15%, more preferably from 1% to 10% and most preferably from 2% to 6%.
Optionally the media according to the present invention may comprise further liquid crystal compounds in order to adjust the physical properties. Such compounds are known to the expert. Their concentration in the media according to the instant invention is preferably 0% to 30%, more preferably 0.1% to 20% and most preferably 1% to 15%.
The response times are given as rise time (τon) for the time for the change of the relative tuning, respectively of the relative contrast for the electro-optical response, from 0% to 90% (τ90−t0), i.e. including the delay time (t10−t0), as decay time (τoff) for the time for the change of the relative tuning, respectively of the relative contrast for the electro-optical response, from 100% back to 10% (t100−t10) and as the total response time (τtotal=τon+τoff), respectively.
The liquid-crystal media according to the invention consist of a plurality of compounds, preferably 3 to 30, more preferably 4 to 20 and very preferably 4 to 16 compounds. These compounds are mixed in a conventional manner. In general, the desired amount of the compound used in the smaller amount is dissolved in the compound used in the larger amount. If the temperature is above the clearing point of the compound used in the higher concentration, it is particularly easy to observe completion of the dissolution process. It is, however, also possible to prepare the media in other conventional ways, for example using so-called pre-mixes, which can be, for example, homologous or eutectic mixtures of compounds, or using so-called “multibottle” systems, the constituents of which are themselves ready-to-use mixtures.
All temperatures, such as, for example, the melting point T(C,N) or T(C,S), the transition from the smectic (S) to the nematic (N) phase T(S,N) and the clearing point T(N,I) of the liquid crystals, are quoted in degrees Celsius. All temperature differences are quoted in differential degrees.
In the present invention and especially in the following examples, the structures of the mesogenic compounds are indicated by means of abbreviations, also referred to as acronyms. In these acronyms, the chemical formulae are abbreviated as follows using Tables A to D below. All groups CnH2n+1, CmH2m+1 and ClH2l+1 or CnH2n−1, CmH2m−1 and ClH2l−1 denote straight-chain alkyl or alkenyl, preferably 1-E-alkenyl, respectively, in each case having n, m or I C atoms. Table A lists the codes used for the ring elements of the core structures of the compounds, while Table B shows the linking groups. Table C gives the meanings of the codes for the left-hand or right-hand end groups. Table D shows illustrative structures of compounds with their respective abbreviations.
in which n and m each denote integers, and the three dots “ . . . ” are placeholders for other abbreviations from this table.
The following table shows illustrative structures together with their respective abbreviations. These are shown in order to illustrate the meaning of the rules for the abbreviations. They furthermore represent compounds which are preferably used.
The following table, Table E, shows further illustrative compounds which can be used as stabiliser in the mesogenic media in accordance with the present invention. The total concentration of these and similar compounds in the media is preferably 5% or less.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mesogenic media comprise one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds from Table E.
The following table, Table F, shows illustrative compounds which can preferably be used as chiral dopants in the mesogenic media in accordance with the present invention.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mesogenic media comprise one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of Table F.
The mesogenic media in accordance with the present application preferably comprise two or more, preferably four or more, compounds selected from the group consisting of the compounds from the above tables.
The liquid-crystal media in accordance with the present invention preferably comprise
The following examples illustrate the present invention without limiting it in any way.
However, it is clear to the person skilled in the art from the physical properties what properties can be achieved and in what ranges they can be modified. In particular, the combination of the various properties which can preferably be achieved is thus well defined for the person skilled in the art.
The voltage holding ratio (VHR) is determined in test cells produced at Merck Japan. The test cells have alkali-free glass substrates and are provided with polyimide alignment layers with a layer thickness of 50 nm, which result in planar alignment of the liquid crystals. The layer gap is uniform (3.0 μm). The surface area of the transparent ITO electrodes is 1 cm2.
Unless indicated otherwise, the VHR is determined at 20° C. (VHR20) and after 5 minutes in an oven at 100° C. (VHR100) in a commercially available instrument from Autronic Melchers, Germany. The voltage used has a frequency of 60 Hz, unless indicated otherwise.
The accuracy of the VHR measurement values depends on the respective value of the VHR. The accuracy decreases with decreasing values. The deviations generally observed in the case of values in the various magnitude ranges are compiled in their order of magnitude in the following table.
The stability to UV irradiation is investigated in a “Suntest CPS”, a commercial instrument from Heraeus, Germany. The sealed test cells are irradiated for between 30 min and 2.0 hours, unless explicitly indicated, without additional heating. The irradiation power in the wavelength range from 300 nm to 800 nm is 765 W/m2 V. A UV “cut-off” filter having an edge wavelength of 310 nm is used in order to simulate the so-called window glass mode. In each series of experiments, at least four test cells are investigated for each condition, and the respective results are indicated as averages of the corresponding individual measurements.
The decrease in the voltage holding ratio (ΔVHR) usually caused by the exposure, for example by heat, by UV irradiation or by LCD backlighting, is determined in accordance with the following equation (1):
ΔVHR(t)=VHR(t)−VHR(t=0) (1).
Liquid-crystal mixtures N1 to N5 having the compositions and properties as indicated in the following tables are prepared and characterized with respect to their general physical properties and their applicability in microwave components at 19 GHz and 20° C. These data are given in the tables below the composition tables for the individual mixture examples.
The mixtures N1 to N5 are stabilised with the compound D-1c
The stabilised mixtures S1 to S5 consist of 99.90% of mixtures N1 to N5, respectively, and 0.10% of the compound D-1c.
Comparative Mixture C1 comprises the alternative stabiliser ST-3a-1 from the state of the art:
The VHR of the mixtures N1 to N5, S1 to S5 and C1 is determined as described above (VHR100initial). Next, the mixtures are split into two parts and are each filled into sealed ampoules under nitrogen and stored in an oven for 24 h and 100 h, respectively. Afterwards the VHR is determined again (VHRheat load24 and VHRheat load100). The results are summarised in the Table 1.
The stabilised mixtures S1 to S5 exhibit significantly improved VHR values after heat load compared to the unstabilised mixtures N1 to N5. Furthermore, the VHR values of comparative mixture C1 show that the stabiliser D-1c according to the invention is also effective after long term stress of 100 h, whereas the use of the stabiliser ST-3a-1 from the state of the art gives a very similar result as the unstabilised mixture N1.
The liquid-crystal mixtures S6 to S9 and Ch1 to Ch6 are prepared according to the following tables. S6 to S9 and Ch1 to Ch6 show equally high VHR values after heat load as the examples above.
Preferred cholesteric mixtures are preferred using the chiral dopants A-II-1-1 or A-III-1-1 shown below.
The cholesteric mixtures Ch1 to Ch6 have the following composition:
The mixtures Ch1 to Ch6 show faster switching than the host mixture S7 without chiral dopant.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18163563.2 | Mar 2018 | EP | regional |
