Synthesis of pentafluoro-λ6-sulfanyl substituted acetylenes for novel liquid crystals

Synthetic routes towards SF5-substituted acetylenes as novel liquid crystal molecules were studied. Key steps of the synthetic sequence were based upon radical addition of SF5Cl to double and triple bonds of the corresponding liquid crystal precursors followed by dehydrochlorination of the corresponding products. The physical properties of the new liquid crystals 10a–c were investigated.