Columnar metallomesogens based on vanadyl(VI) and cobalt(II) complexes of N,N'-bis[3-(3,4-dialkoxyphenyl)3-oxopropenyl]ethylenediamines

The preparation, characterization and mesomorphic properties of vanadyl(VI) and cobalt(II) complexes derived from N, N -bis[3-(3,4-dialkoxyphenyl)-3-oxopropenyl]ethylenediamines are described. These half-disk-shaped molecules exhibited columnar mesophases over a wide range of temperature, as characterized by DSC analysis and polarizing optical microscopy. The structure of the mesophases was also confirmed as columnar hexagonal (Col_ho) by powder XRD. The vanadyl complexes were found to have substantially higher clearing temperatures and wider mesophase temperatures than the analogous cobalt complexes. The influence of the metal centres on the mesomorphic temperatures may be attributed to better intermolecular dative association in the vanadyl complexes than in the cobalt complexes.     

Synthesis and properties of hexakis(6-octyl-2-azulenyl)benzene as a multielectron redox system with liquid crystalline behavior

[structure: see text] This paper describes the cyclotrimerization reaction of di(2-azulenyl)acetylenes (2a,b) catalyzed by Co2(CO)8 to produce hexa(2-azulenyl)benzene derivatives (1a,b). The cyclooligomerization of 2a and 2b utilizing CpCo(CO)2 as a catalyst produced (eta5-cyclopentadienyl)[tetra(2-azulenyl)cyclobutadiene]cobalt complexes (3a,b). The redox behavior of hexakis(6-octyl-2-azulenyl)benzene (1b), bis(6-octyl-2-azulenyl)acetylene (2b), and the cobalt complexes 3a and 3b along with 6-octyl-2-phenylazulene (19) was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The reduction of compound 1b exhibited multiple-electron transfers in one step upon CV with a reduction potential similar to that of compound 19. However, the CVs of compounds 2b, 3a, and 3b were characterized by stepwise waves because of the reduction of each azulene ring. The mesomorphic behaviors of 1b, 2b, and 19 were also studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. A new series of azulene derivatives, 1b, 2b, and 19, substituted by a long alkyl chain at the 6-position shows mesomorphism with crystalline polymorphs. Compound 1b showed a large temperature range of hexagonal columnar mesophases (Col(ho)) from 115.5 to 199.9 degrees C. Compound 2b has rectangular columnar (Col(ro)), smectic E (S(E)), and nematic (N) mesophases. Compound 19 exhibited an S(E) mesophase.     

Bis(salicylaldiminate) copper(II) and palladium(II) complexes: towards columnar mesophases

Copper and palladium complexes of new salicylaldimines derived from 3,4,5-tridecyloxyaniline, 2,3,4-tridecyloxyaniline and 4-decyloxyaniline have been synthesized and characterized. All the ligands bear four or more aliphatic chains with the aim of inducing columnar mesophases at low temperatures. In particular, metal complexes derived from 4-(3,4,5-tridecyloxybenzoyloxy)-salicyliden-3,4,5-tridecyloxyaninile display rectangular columnar mesophases at (or near) room temperature. These mesophase assignments have been confirmed by X-ray diffraction. A significant decrease of the melting points of the compounds is observed in the tridecyloxyaniline derivatives compared with those of similar complexes derived from mono- or di-decyloxyaniline.     

Discotic Metallomesogens: Effects of Sidechains Density in Transition Metal Bis(β-Diketonate) Complexes

The preparation and mesogenic properties of a series of discotic β-diketonate metal complexes are reported. The results show that the density of side chains, positions of side chains, and the geometries of the metal centers play important roles in determining the mesomorphic behaviors and thermodynamic stability of these complexes. In the series of copper complexes 3, all these disc-like molecules with eight alkoxy side chains exhibit columnar hexagonal disordered (D_hd) mesophases. In the series of copper complexes 2 with six side chains, only compounds substituted with longer alkoxy chains (n = C₁₄ or C₁₆) exhibit discotic columnar mesophase. However, in the series of complexes 1, only crystal-to-isotropic transitions were observed. The results showed that induction of liquid crystallinity not only depends on the numbers of side chains (i.e. side chain density), but also on the degree of distribution over the central core. Palladium complexes analogs exhibit similar discotic mesophases, and due to their greater core-core organization, they also have higher clearing points and wider temperature range of mesophases than copper complexes.     

Bis(salicylaldiminate) copper(II) and palladium(II) complexes: towards columnar mesophases

Copper and palladium complexes of new salicylaldimines derived from 3,4,5-tridecyloxyaniline, 2,3,4-tridecyloxyaniline and 4-decyloxyaniline have been synthesized and characterized. All the ligands bear four or more aliphatic chains with the aim of inducing columnar mesophases at low temperatures. In particular, metal complexes derived from 4-(3,4,5-tridecyloxybenzoyloxy)-salicyliden-3,4,5-tridecyloxyaninile display rectangular columnar mesophases at (or near) room temperature. These mesophase assignments have been confirmed by X-ray diffraction. A significant decrease of the melting points of the compounds is observed in the tridecyloxyaniline derivatives compared with those of similar complexes derived from mono- or di-decyloxyaniline.     

Columnar mesomorphism of bi- and trinuclear Ni(II), Cu(II), and VO(II) cis-enamonoketone complexes with low symmetry

New enaminoketone tetradentate bi- and trinuclear complexes creating columnar mesophases are reported. Various combinations of nickel, copper, or vanadyl ions were applied as metallic centers. Because of the bowlike structure of chelating centers and the low molecular symmetry (Cs) the bivanadyl complexes form two diastereoisomers, which were separated. The superexchange coupling of the electron spins of paramagnetic centers copper-copper and vanadyl-vanadyl was found for binuclear complexes in ESR studies.     

Discotic metallomesogens: Synthesis and properties of square planar metal bis(β-diketonate) complexes

Discotic β-diketonate liquid crystals containing palladium(II), and oxovanadium(IV), (V≡0), analogous to known copper complexes (which display discotic lamellar and columnar mesophases), have been prepared and characterized. These are the first enantiotropic discotics containing Pd(II) and among the earliest examples containing VO(IV). The best-behaved Pd(II) complex is [Pd(DK 10, 10)₂], and it also is probable that the complexes [Pd(DKn,n)₂] (n = 7-9) are mesomorphic, however their characterization is difficult due to decomposition in the isotropic phase. The mesophase of [Pd(DK 10²,10²)₂], which appears below 100°C, is suggested to be an example of the rare N_d phase on the basis of optical microscopy. The complex [VO(DK8,8)₂] is an enantiotropic discotic vanadyl complex; the monotropic behaviour of [VO(DK 10,10)₂] was also confirmed. It is suggested that the discotic phase which occurs for [VO(DK 8,8)₂] is more organized than that of [Cu(DK 8,8)₂].     

Liquid-crystalline oxovanadium(IV) complexes accessed from bidentate [N,O] donor salicylaldimine Schiff-base ligands

A series of bis[4-(n-alkoxy)-N-(4′-R-phenyl)salicylideneiminato]oxovanadium(IV) complexes (n?=?6,?10,?14,?16,?18 and R?=?C₃H₇) were prepared and their mesogenic properties were investigated. The mesomorphic behaviors of the compounds were studied by polarized optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Ligands display SmA/SmC and unexpected nematic mesophases. The complexes bearing longer alkoxy carbon chain (n?=?10,?14,?16, and 18) showed both monotropic or enantiotropic transitions with smectic A and high ordered smectic E phases. However, the complex with shorter carbon chain length (n?=?6) showed monotropic transition with an unprecedented nematic (N) phase. A density functional theory study was carried out using DMol3 at BLYP/DNP level to obtain a stable optimized structure. A square-pyramidal geometry for the vanadyl complexes has been suggested. A ν_V=O stretching value of ～970?cm^?1 corroborated absence of any V?=?O?···?V?=?O interactions. Cyclic voltammetry revealed a quasireversible one-electron response at 0.61?V for the VO(IV)–VO(V) redox couple. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of the vanadyl complexes suggested absence of any exchange interactions among the vanadyl spin centers.     

Liquid crystalline behaviour of hydrogen bonded complexes of a non-mesogenic anil with p-n-alkoxybenzoic acids

Phase diagrams of binary mixtures of the non-mesogenic N -( p -methoxy- o -hydroxybenzylidbe ene)- p -aminopyridine with a series of p - n -alkoxybenzoic acids ranging from methoxy to hexadecyloxy were established using differential scanning calorimetry and polarising optical microscopy. The key results obtained are: (1) the formation of 1 1 hydrogen bonded complexes between the pyridine derivative and the alkoxybenzoic acids, (2) the stability of the alkoxybenzoic acid mesophases over a wide range of compositions (up to slightly over 50 mol% of the pyridine derivative), (3) the absence of additional mesophases corresponding specifically to the 1 1 complexes, and (4) the complete miscibility of the acids with the complexes in the mesomorphic state. With alkoxy chains from methoxy to heptyloxy, mixtures produce only nematic phases; they produce both nematic and smectic phases with chains from octyloxy to dodecyloxy, and only smectic phases with chains from tetradecyloxy to hexadecyloxy. The formation of hydrogen bonded complexes was investigated at various temperatures using FTIR spectroscopy. Molecular ordering was studied by X-ray diffraction as a function of temperature and composition both for the crystalline and the mesomorphic states.     

Liquid crystalline salen manganese(III) complexes. Mesomorphic and catalytic behaviour

Several salen manganese(III) complexes displaying stable columnar mesophases in a wide range of temperatures have been synthesized. In condensed phases the molecules are assembled into dimers through intermolecular manganese-oxygen interactions and the columnar structure of the mesophases consist of the stacking of supramolecular discs formed by the association of two or three dimers, depending on the number and location of alkoxy chains in the complex. The catalytic activity of the complexes in solution has been studied, and they behave as efficient homogeneous catalysts in the epoxidation of styrene with iodosylbenzene as oxidant.     

Smectic bimetallomesogens: synthesis, characterization and mesomorphic properties and the crystal structure of bis[N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-4-octanoylsalicylaldiminato]copper(II) complex

The synthesis, characterization and mesomorphic properties of copper(II), palladium(II), vanadyl(IV) and iron(III) chloride complexes derived from salicylaldimine structures are reported. The copper and palladium complexes exhibited smectic A phases, however vanadyl and iron chloride complexes showed crystalline phase. The palladium complexes have lower melting and clearing points, and a wider temperature range of mesophase. This lowering in clearing points between M = Pd and M = Cu analogues was attributed to the weaker core-core interaction between palladium centres within layers in the mesophase. The crystal and molecular structures of bis[N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-4-octanoylsalicylaldiminato]copper(II) were determined by means of X-ray analysis. This complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group p21/c, with a = 5.4908(23) A, b = 19.847(5) A, c = 16.636(4) A, beta = 96.87(3) degree, and Z = 2. The intramolecular separation of Cu-Cu atoms is 3.022(3)A. The structure shows that the molecular shape is nearly flat with two copper atoms lying 0.067(4)A above and below the plane of N1, O1a, O1 and O2 atoms.     

Columnar mesomorphism from hemi-disklike metallomesogens derived from 2,6-bis[3',4',5'-tri(alkoxy)phenyliminomethyl]pyridines (L): crystal and molecular structures of [M(L)Cl2] (M=Mn,Ni, Zn)

Four new series of non-disklike complexes of general formula [MCl(2)(L(n))] based upon substituted 2,6-bis(3',4',5'-trialkoxyphenyliminomethyl)pyridine ligands (L(n)) and with M=Zn(II), Co(II), Mn(II), and Ni(II) have been prepared and examined for liquid crystallinity. A complete analysis of the thermal behavior by polarized-light optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and small-angle Xray scattering revealed a rich and varied mesomorphism. Moreover, the high thermal stability of the compounds leads to rather extended mesomorphic ranges. The nature and thermal stability of each mesophase depend on both the length of the six terminal alkoxy chains, n (n=8, 10, 12, 14, 16), and on the metal ions. As demonstrated by small-angle Xray diffraction experiments, the mesomorphism of these complexes is solely of the columnar type. One compound shows an oblique columnar phase, while most of them show a hexagonal columnar phase, Col(h), and several types of rectangular columnar phase, Col(r). Xray single-crystal structures obtained for three methoxy derivatives confirm the 1:1 metal-ligand stoichiometry of the complexes, in which the metal is pentacoordinate with a distorted, trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The crystalline structures also reveal the existence of some columnar organization in the solid state, the columns resulting from an alternated stacking of the complexes in one direction. By combining these results with those obtained from dilatometry experiments, a model for the molecular organization within the mesophases is proposed in which an antiparallel arrangement of the metallomesogens is retained in the mesophase.     

Induction of mesomorphism in mixtures of poly[4-(3-methacryloylpropyl)pyridine] with partially fluorinated derivatives of benzoic acid

LC complexes of nonmesomorphic poly[4-(3-methacryloylpropyl)pyridine] with partially fluorinated derivatives of benzoic acid have been prepared via intermolecular hydrogen bonding between complex components. The induction of mesomorphic state has been observed for both mesomorphic and nonmesomorphic acids. It has been shown that the type of a mesophase manifested by the complexes varies from layered to columnar and cubic depending on the number of substituents in a low-molecular-mass component.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of some platinum(II) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes

The synthesis and mesomorphic properties of a homologous series of N-(2-hydroxy-4-n-alkoxybenzylidene)-4'-n-decylphenylanilines and their platinum(II) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes are reported. All the ligands and their metal chelates exhibit enantiotropic mesophases, predominantly smectic A and smectic C phases. The transition temperatures and enthalpies have been determined for most of the compounds. The platinum(II) complexes have higher melting points and mesophase thermal stabilities. However, the oxovanadium(IV) complexes have a wider thermal range for the mesophase. Both platinum(II) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes containing only a chain on the biphenyl moiety exhibit a nematic phase.     

Rod-like phases formed by Ni(II) and VO(II) complexes of tetradentate enaminoketone ligands

Most of the nickel(II) complexes of tetradentate enaminoketone ligands obtained, although not strictly calamitic and with a rather low length to width ratio, form enantiotropic rod-like nematic and smectic A phases. Corresponding vanadyl(II) complexes exhibit only monotropic mesophases. The vanadyl complexes, due to their non-planar structure, are chiral with an asymmetry centre placed at the metal ion.     

Mesogenic palladium complexes with pincer ligands derived from dipicolinic acid

4-Substituted pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acids, (E)-dipicH2, and 4-substituted pyridine-2,6-bis(thiocarboxylic) acids, (E)-pdtcH2, (E = OCnH2n + 1, SCnH2n + 1) have been synthesized and used as O,N,O- and S,N,S-pincer ligands with palladium. In the fourth coordination site the complexes bear 4-decyloxy-4'-stilbazole (L1), 4-decyloxy-N-(4-pyridylmethylene)anilines (L2), decyl 4-pyridinecarboxylate (L3), 4-(4'-decyloxyphenyl)pyridinecarboxylate (L4), 4-(3',4',5'-tridecyloxybenzyl)pyridinecarboxylate (L5), 4-isocyano-1-decyloxybenzene (L6), or 4-isocyano-4'-decyloxybiphenyl (L7). Thermotropic mesomorphism is observed for the (E)-dipic complexes with L5 and n = 12, which display columnar phases. The complexes with S,N,S-pincers show an important depression in the melting point compared to their O,N,O homologues and this change gives rise to mesomorphic materials (SC). However, in the case of L5 the mesomorphic behavior observed for the O,N,O derivative is lost in its S,N,S analogue. The alkylsulfanyl compounds exhibit lower transition temperatures and wider mesophase ranges than their alkoxy analogues.     

Photoluminescent nickel(II)-metallomesogens derived from salphen ligands: influence of halogens at the spacer on mesomorphism and emission properties

Three new series of photoluminescent nickel(II) metallomesogens, [NiL]; H₂L = N,N′-Bis(4-n-alkoxysalicylidene)-4-fluoro/bromo/chloro-1,2-diaminobenzene (n = 12, 14, 16) based on ‘salphen’ ligands have been synthesised and their mesomorphic and photophysical properties explored. The complexes, isolated as orange microcrystalline solids were characterised by elemental analyses, FT-IR, ¹H NMR and UV-visible spectroscopy. Thermal studies show all the compounds to be enantiotropic liquid crystals displaying columnar mesophase over a wide temperature range. Electronegativity and steric requirement of the halogen substituent at the ligand’s spacer remarkably influence the 2-D packing of the columns in the lattice in these complexes controlling the supramolecular mesomorphic order and photoluminescence. The mesophase behaviour of the fluoro-substituted complex is characterised by a transition from a columnar oblique (p1) to columnar rectangular (p2mm) phase, former stable till ambient temperature. The chloro and bromo analogues, on the other hand, displayed exclusively columnar rectangular (p2mm) mesophase with the former transforming into a glassy state and latter into a crystalline phase during cooling to ambient temperature. Molecular model based on interdigitated anti-parallel and back to back arrangements in the different columnar mesophase are proposed on the basis of X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The complexes emit in the blue region when excited with near UV wavelength.     

Propeller-like hydrogen-bonded banana-melamine complexes inducing helical supramolecular organizations

The results of the study presented here show a new example of the use of liquid crystals and the interactions involved in the mesomorphic state to build up complex molecular organizations. We have pursued a design strategy in which hydrogen bonding allows the combination of the pi-stacking tendency of melamine and the lateral interaction capability of V-shaped molecules, which has been extensively demonstrated through nematic, smectic, or columnar mesophases. This combination addresses the formation of columnar arrangements with inherent helical organization. In this work, nonmesomorphic as well as mesomorphic V-shaped acids, with a structure similar to banana liquid crystals, have been complexed to a 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine derivative in a proportion 3 to 1, respectively. Hydrogen-bonded supramolecules whose formation and stability in solution have been proven by infrared and NMR techniques have been thus obtained. DOSY experiments have allowed us to assess in solution the presence of the complexes and their tetrameric composition. All the complexes display mesogenic ability, and their mesomorphic organization has been studied by X-ray diffraction and CD spectroscopy. Results allow us to propose a helical columnar model for the mesophase originated from a propeller-like conformation of the supramolecular complexes.     

Heterocyclic columnar pyrimidines: synthesis, characterization and mesomorphic properties

The synthesis, characterization, and mesomorphic properties of two series of heterocyclic compounds derived from a pyrimidine core are reported. These series, 1a and 1b, are substituted with a variety of functional groups (X=NHSO₂CF₃, F, Cl, Br, I, OCH₃, CH₃, C₂H₅) at the C^3' (meta)- or C^4' (para)-position of the terminal phenyl ring, and the substituent effect on mesophase formation was studied. The compounds were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and the mesomorphic behavior of the compounds was characterized and studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. Most of the compounds were mesogenic at room temperature, and the mesophases were assigned as lamellar columnar (Col_L) phases, as expected for disk-like molecules. The results also revealed that compounds with a para-substituent (1a; except for -OCH₃) at the C^4'-position, exhibited higher clearing temperatures and wider temperature mesophase ranges than those of compounds with a meta-substituent (1b) at the C^3'-position. The higher clearing temperatures may be attributed to stronger dipolar interactions resulting from a greater resonance effect with the central core for para-substitution than for meta-substitution. The results also indicated that the columnar mesophases observed show a correlation with the electronic properties of the substituents; compounds containing electron-withdrawing substituents (X=F, Cl, Br, I, NHSO₂CF₃) also have higher clearing temperatures than compounds containing electron-donating substituents (X=Me, Et, OMe).