4-Pentyloxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4'-carbonitrile

Under nitrogen protection, 20 mmol of 4-bromobenzonitrile, 0.1 mmol of palladium acetate, 0.12 mmol of Ph3P, and 2 mmol of zinc bromide were dissolved in 30 mL of THF. Then, 50 mL of Grignard reagent prepared from 20 mmol of 4-pentoxybromobenzene was added dropwise. After the addition was complete, the reaction was allowed to proceed at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction solution was then cooled in an ice-water bath, and 50 mL of a 1% (w/w) dilute salt solution was added dropwise. After the addition was complete, the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. The organic phase was separated, and the aqueous phase was extracted twice with 50 mL of ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were washed twice with 50 mL of water, and the solvent was removed by rotary evaporation to obtain the crude product.

The crude product was recrystallized from methanol and decolorized with activated carbon to obtain pure 4-Pentyloxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4'-carbonitrile. Yield: 48.7%.

4'-Pentyloxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-carbonitrile (cas# 52364-71-3) is a useful research chemical.

White liquid

5-OCB may be used in indicators and storage devices.

Intermediates of Liquid Crystals

4′-(Pentyloxy)-4-biphenylcarbonitrile (5-OCB) liquid crystals are the member of the oxycyanobiphenyl family. It exhibits liquid crystalline phase in the temperature range of 47-67.5^oC. Crystal and molecular structure of 5-OCB was reported. The crystals belong to the monoclinic system (a=21.378, b=5.695, c=12.789). The 5-OCB molecules are antiparallel in layers. H NMR of the phase transitions has been studied.