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Synthesis main page

This section of the website is devoted to providing procedures for synthesis of chemical constituents and preparation of LC materials. Procedure found on the website contain an interactive image gallery for reference. Procedures are provided online as part of an interactive gallery, and may also be downloaded as MS Word or pdf files. The interactive gallery is in the form of 'pop-up' pictures located at the right side of the page. When calculations are required, embedded spreadsheets that automatically calculate the required amounts of materials are incorporated the Word documents. There is a considerable amount information available on the website, so please take a few moments to look at the 'User Guide'.

Procedure Organization

Each material on the website has it's own 'material overview' page that briefly describes material characteristic, links to related publications, and the procedures, located in the bottom left of the page. Individual materials are organized according to the research group where the material was developed. The procedures are designed of sufficient detail so scientists and engineers of any training should be able to make the materials, with multiple reference images and detailed descriptions.

User Guide

Layouts for chemical synthesis and material preparation are very similar. The top of the page shows either a chemical or material structure. To the right of the image a table of requisite chemicals with their corresponding Chemical Abstract Service number [CAS] to make ordering easier. Below, a table of required materials and equipment is found. Detailed descriptions of equipment setup are contained as links inside chemical synthesis and material preparation procedures, or may be accessed through the top menu.

Text procedures and image galleries are below the equipment table, with the image gallery located to the right. Clicking on an image will cause it to expand. Multiple images may be opened at once. The procedures, with limited images, are available for download as Word or pdf files at the top, right hand side of the page.

If you have any questions about the procedures, do not hesitate to email

This image is a representative introduction page for synthesis of chemical components of a LC material. The chemical structure of the product is shown at the top left, while chemical structures of the individual component may be viewed by clicking on the list of chemical structure on the right hand side of the page. This list is pointed to by the blue arrow above the 'Chemical structures link & structure popup' box. When clicked, a box with the chemical structure of the product will open. Multiple boxes may be opened at once. Individual steps of the reaction may be accessed through the menu at the bottom of the page, pointed out by the 'menu for each step' at the bottom of the page. Menu button abbreviations: mI = mesogen step 1, cl = crosslinker, chrl= chiral, S = step .

This image is a representative synthesis page. Document downloads are found at the top of the page. The chemical structure is to the left, while a list of required chemicals and their corresponding Chemical Abstract Services # [CAS#] are provided for easy identification and ordering. Below, a table of required equipment is found. The procedure and corresponding picture are found at the bottom of the page. Clicking on a link in the text will cause the picture to expand. Multiple pictures may be opened at one time.