Liquid crystals answers
1. (a) The cyanide group is polar (due to the difference in electronegativity between carbon and nitrogen). This ensures that the intermolecular forces are string enough to align in a particular direction. (b) The pentyl group is a long alkyl chain, which ensures that the molecules cannot pack to closely together. This helps to maintain the liquid crystal state. (c) The two disubstituted phenyl groups help to ensure...