Abstract: The present invention provides liquid crystal having a spiral coil structure and a dipole moment along its axis and a helical discotic switch using the same, wherein the helicene compound has the structure: wherein X is O, or S and Y is —O—C(═O)CH2—O—R5, wherein R5 is H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl, wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently the same or different and are substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl.

Abstract: This invention provides a compound having the structure: ##STR1## wherein rings A and B represent independent electron accepting ring systems and wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are the same or different and are H, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl, --SR, --NRR', --OR, --OC(O)R, SC(O)R, --SCR, wherein R and R' are independently substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl.This invention also provides thin films comprising a compound having the above structure or suitable derivatives thereof.This invention further provides liquid crystal display devices and non-linear optical devises comprising a compound having the above structure or a suitable derivative thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides an aggregate of a compound capable of forming helical structures such that the aggregate is capable of achieving a specific rotation of at least 100,000.degree. for plane polarized light having a wavelength of 589 nm.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of preparing an allylic amine having the structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, linear or branched chain alkyl, aryl, etc.; wherein each alkyl or arylalkyl if present is independently unsubstituted or substituted by fluoro, cyano, nitro, linear or branched chain acyl, dialkylamino, etc.; wherein each aryl if present is independently unsubstituted or substituted by fluoro, cyano, nitro, linear or branched chain alkyl, arylmercapto, etc.; and wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 optionally is covalently bonded linking pairwise a suitable atom from each to form from 0 to about 10 rings, wherein each ring contains between about four and about twelve atoms, using disubstituted sulfur diimides prepared in situ. Also provided are methods of preparing cyclic allylic amines in which allylic double bonds are endocyclic and exocyclic.

Abstract: Optically active ladder polymers that are chiral and have an unbroken network of conjugated double bonds along a helical path are synthesized.

Abstract: The invention describes a helicene compound having the structure ##SPC1##which contains seven six-membered conjugated aromatic rings capped by two five-membered rings which do not superimpose on each other.The invention also describes a helical metallocene oligomer capped by unsaturated five-membered rings, having the structure: ##SPC2##wherein M is a transition metal halide and n=1 to 100.Method for the preparation of these compounds are also presented.

Abstract: Olefin Methathesis is accomplished by combining olefins with acetylenes and ungsten salts such as tungsten hexachloride. This process simplifies olefin metathesis as acetylenes can be handled in the atmosphere, while ethylaluminum dichloride or related materials which have been used in the past instantaneously ignite when exposed to the atmosphere. Furthermore, the acetylenes bring about the reaction with much greater speed than when the initiator is a combination of a metal carbene and an acetylene. Besides, double bonds introduced in the polymer are highly stereoselective.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing cycloalkenes into polyalkenamers is described wherein trisubstituted silyl groups are attached to the cycloalkenes. The silyl groups thus attached do not act as a poison to the polymerization process. Trimethylsilyl group can be substituted by other desired functional groups after the polymerization.

Abstract: A process is described for the polymerization of cyclic olefins by ring-opening employing a coinitiator such as acetylene or substituted acetylenes. The polymers obtained by this method are highly stereoselective.