Cholesteryl oleyl carbonate

Cholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate (COC) is an ester of cholesterol and oleyl alcohol. It is a clear, colorless liquid crystal material at room temperature, known for its unique properties in the field of liquid crystal technology. COC is widely used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays (LCDs), thermometers, and in optical and photonics applications due to its ability to modulate light efficiently.

Properties

Cholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate has a chiral nematic phase, which makes it suitable for use in liquid crystal displays. This phase allows COC to reflect circularly polarized light, making it useful in various optical applications. The material's phase transition temperature can be adjusted by mixing it with other cholesteryl esters, which is beneficial for creating liquid crystal mixtures with specific properties.

Applications

Liquid Crystal Displays

In LCDs, COC is used to enhance the performance of the display. It helps in stabilizing the liquid crystal phase and improving the display's contrast and color properties. COC's ability to reflect circularly polarized light is exploited in certain types of displays to improve viewing angles and display quality.

Optical and Photonics Applications

COC finds applications in optical and photonics devices due to its unique light modulation properties. It is used in optical filters, polarizers, and switchable windows. These applications benefit from COC's ability to change its optical properties in response to temperature changes or the application of an electric field.

Thermometry

Cholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate is also used in liquid crystal thermometers. Its temperature-sensitive color change property makes it ideal for creating thermometers that are easy to read and can measure a wide range of temperatures.

Synthesis

Cholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate is synthesized through the esterification of cholesterol with oleyl alcohol. This reaction typically involves the use of a catalyst and may require purification steps to obtain COC with the desired purity and properties.

Safety and Handling

COC should be handled with care, as it is a chemical compound that may pose health risks if not handled properly. Safety data sheets (SDS) provide detailed information on handling, storage, and disposal of COC.