Rapid Conformational Analysis of Semi-Flexible Liquid Crystals

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Hobbs, Jordan L., Gibb, Calum J., Cruickshank, Ewan, Walker, Rebecca, Mandle, Richard J.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Hobbs, Jordan L.
Gibb, Calum J.
Cruickshank, Ewan
Walker, Rebecca
Mandle, Richard J.
author_facet Hobbs, Jordan L.
Gibb, Calum J.
Cruickshank, Ewan
Walker, Rebecca
Mandle, Richard J.
contents We present an approach for rapid conformational analysis of semi-flexible liquid crystals. We use a simple graphical user interface (GUI) tool that leverages rules-based methods for efficient generation of bend-angle distributions, offering a significant improvement over traditional single-conformer analysis. Our methods demonstrated proficiency in approximating molecular shapes comparable to those obtained from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, albeit with notable deviations in the under sampling of hairpin conformations and oversampling of extended configurations. Re-evaluation of existing data revealed an apparent weak correlation between NTB transition temperatures and bend angles, underscoring the complexity of molecular shapes beyond mere geometry. Furthermore, we integrated this conformational analysis into a pipeline of algorithmic molecular design, utilizing a fragment-based genetic algorithm to generate novel cyanobiphenyl-containing materials. This integration opens new avenues for the exploration of liquid crystalline materials, particularly in systems where systematic conformer searches are impractical, such as large oligomeric systems. Our findings highlight the potential and growing importance of computational approaches in accelerating the design and synthesis of next-generation liquid crystalline materials.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2402_13900
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Rapid Conformational Analysis of Semi-Flexible Liquid Crystals
Hobbs, Jordan L.
Gibb, Calum J.
Cruickshank, Ewan
Walker, Rebecca
Mandle, Richard J.
Soft Condensed Matter
We present an approach for rapid conformational analysis of semi-flexible liquid crystals. We use a simple graphical user interface (GUI) tool that leverages rules-based methods for efficient generation of bend-angle distributions, offering a significant improvement over traditional single-conformer analysis. Our methods demonstrated proficiency in approximating molecular shapes comparable to those obtained from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, albeit with notable deviations in the under sampling of hairpin conformations and oversampling of extended configurations. Re-evaluation of existing data revealed an apparent weak correlation between NTB transition temperatures and bend angles, underscoring the complexity of molecular shapes beyond mere geometry. Furthermore, we integrated this conformational analysis into a pipeline of algorithmic molecular design, utilizing a fragment-based genetic algorithm to generate novel cyanobiphenyl-containing materials. This integration opens new avenues for the exploration of liquid crystalline materials, particularly in systems where systematic conformer searches are impractical, such as large oligomeric systems. Our findings highlight the potential and growing importance of computational approaches in accelerating the design and synthesis of next-generation liquid crystalline materials.
title Rapid Conformational Analysis of Semi-Flexible Liquid Crystals
topic Soft Condensed Matter
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.13900