Steric effect on the formation of columnar phases in β-diketonate copper(II) complexes

A systematic study of the mesomorphic properties of three series of copper(II) complexes based on β-diketonate ligands containing branched side chains is reported. These disc-like compounds have four, six and eight flexible alkoxy side chains appended to the central core, in which two or four side chains were substituted by bulkier secondary alkoxy groups: 1-methylbutyloxy R ' = C₅(2°) or 1-methylheptyloxy R ' = C₈(2°). The mesomorphic results indicated that at least eight side chains are required to form stable columnar mesophases; other compounds with four or six side chains are not mesogenic regardless of the combination of the carbon length on the alkoxy or secondary alkoxy groups of the side chains. The compounds 3 with shorter R ' = C₅(2°) side chains were all non-mesogenic regardless of the carbon length of three alkoxy side chains (R = C₈, C₁₀, C₁₂) used. However, when the longer 1-methylheptyloxy side chain R ' = C₈(2°) was substituted, the compounds 3b-3e with various alkoxy groups (R = C₆, C₇, C₈, C₁₀, C₁₂) exhibited columnar phases. The mesophases were characterized and identified as columnar hexagonal phases (Col_h), as expected, by thermal analysis and optical polarized microscopy. The presence of the introduced secondary alkoxy groups apparently appeared to influence the formation of columnar phases. The clearing points were relatively lower than other similar copper(II) compounds not substituted by secondary alkoxy side chains.     

Columnar liquid crystalline benzenetrisamides with pendant 1,3,4-oxadiazole groups

Novel liquid crystal materials based on 1,3,5-benzenetrisamide derivatives with three pendant 2-phenyl-5-(mono-, di-, and/or tri-n-alkoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole arms (Ia–c, IIa–c) were prepared. The mesomorphic properties of these compounds were characterised and studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarising optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The formation of a columnar mesophase was found to be dependent on the number of alkoxy side chains. The compounds Ib and IIb, with a total of six alkoxy chains, and compounds Ic and IIc, with nine alkoxy chains, exhibited an enantiotropic hexagonal columnar (Col_h ) phase with high isotropisation temperatures; however, compounds Ia and IIa with a total of three alkoxy chains formed a crystalline phase. Compounds IIb and c were room temperature liquid crystals.     

Columnar liquid crystals based on amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives

Novel liquid crystal materials base on amino-thiadiazoles, specifically 5-(3,4-di-, and/or 3,4,5-tri-n-alkoxy)phenyl-2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazoles (3a–f, n?=?10, 12, 14) and 5-(3,4-di- and/or 3,4,5-tri-n-alkoxy)phenyl-2-(4-amino)phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazoles (6a–f, n?=?10, 12, 14) were synthesised. The mesomorphic properties of these compounds were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and polarising optical microscopy. All the compounds in series 3a–f and series 6a–f display an enantiotropic columnar phase. The mesomorphic properties were found to be dependent on the number of the side alkoxy chains, and on the length of the rigid core, and on the position of the thiadiazole ring. The best results were obtained with compounds of series 3a–f.     

Columnar liquid crystalline tris-(ether)triazines with pendant 1,3,4-thiadiazole groups: synthesis,mesomorphic, luminescence,solvatofluorochromic and electrochemical properties

Novel columnar liquid crystals whose molecular structures consist of a C₃ star-shaped 1,3,5-triazine unit as a central core, and three pendant 2-phenyl-5-(di-, and/or tri-n-alkoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole arms, containing ether connecting groups, variable number and positions of linear alkoxy chains were synthesised and their mesomorphic properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarised optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The mesomorphic properties were found to be dependent on the length, position and number of the peripheral alkoxy chains. Most compounds form enantiotropic hexagonal columnar phases. These compounds also show photoluminescent properties in the visible region with good quantum yields. Photophysical studies were realised in solution and in solid state. Also, solvatofluorochromism and cyclic voltammetry studies were performed.     

Mesomorphic phase transitions of tetraphenylporphyrins with four long aliphatic chains

Abstract

Studies of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-n-alkylphenyl)porphyrins revealed that the homologues with longer alkyl chains than hexyl were mesomorphic, in contrast to the non-mesomorphic alkoxy derivatives. Metal complexes (Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pd) of the dodecyl derivative were also shown to exhibit mesophases. These mesophases were assigned as discotic lamellar (D_L) phases by X-ray diffraction studies.     

δ‐Methyl Branching in the Side Chain Makes the Difference: Access to Room‐Temperature Discotics

Although discotic liquid crystals are attractive functional materials, their use in electronic devices is often restricted by high melting and clearing points. Among the promising candidates for applications are [15]crown‐5 ether‐based liquid crystals with peripheral n‐alkoxy side chains, which, however, still have melting points above room temperature. To overcome this problem, a series of o‐terphenyl and triphenylene [15]crown‐5 ether derivatives was prepared in which δ‐methyl‐branched alkoxy side chains of varying lengths substitute the peripheral linear alkoxy chains. The mesomorphic properties of the novel crown ethers were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. δ‐Methyl branching indeed lowers melting points resulting in room‐temperature hexagonal columnar mesophases. The mesophase widths, which ranged from 87 to 30 K for o‐terphenyls, significantly increased to 106–147 K for the triphenylenes depending on the chain lengths, revealing the beneficial effect of a flat mesogen, due to improved π–π interactions.     

Synthesis of new benzobisthiazole materials and a study of their mesomorphic and luminescence properties

Novel tetra- and hexacatenar materials based on benzobisthiazole derivatives have been synthesised (4a–c, 5a–c and 6a–c) and their mesomorphic properties have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarised optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. All compounds in series 4a–c display an enantiotropic hexagonal columnar phase, whereas their analogous compounds in series 5a–c did not show mesomorphic behaviour. Compound 6a displays an unidentified monotropic columnar phase, whereas compounds 6b and 6c show an enantiotropic rectangular columnar mesophase. The mesomorphic properties were found to be dependent on the length, position and number of alkoxy chains attached at the end of the rigid core. These compounds also show photoluminescence properties in the visible region and have good quantum yields. A thermogravimetric analysis was also performed.     

New polycatenar Schiff bases derived from 1,3,4-thiadiazole: synthesis,mesomorphism and luminescence behaviour

Two new series of columnar liquid crystal materials based on tetra- and hexacatenar Schiff bases were synthesised by reaction of 4-aminophenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives with terephthalaldehyde (series 2a–f) and with 2,5-thiophenedicarbaldehyde (series 3a–f). The mesomorphic properties of these compounds were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarised optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mesomorphic behaviour was found to be dependent on the nature of the central ring (benzene in series 2a–f, thiophene in series 3a–f), on length and on number of alkoxy chains. Both tetra- and hexacatenar compounds in series 2a–f display an enantiotropic hexagonal columnar phase. Whereas, in the case of the series 3, only the tetracatenar Schiff bases (3a, 3c and 3e) display enantiotropic hexagonal columnar mesomorphism, hexacatenar Schiff bases (3b, 3d and 3f) do not show mesomorphic properties. Photophysical studies were realised in solution and in solid state. Also, a thermogravimetric analysis was performed. A fibre obtained from compound 3b was analysed by POM showing that the mesophase is maintained in the fibre.     

Novel supramolecular columnar liquid crystals based on thiosemicarbazides

Novel liquid crystal materials based on 3,4-di-n-alkoxybenzoylthiosemicarbazides (3a–h, n = 5–10, 12, 14) were synthesised. The mesomorphic properties of these compounds were characterised and studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarising optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Compound 3a did not show mesomorphic properties; 3b shows a monotropic hexagonal columnar (Col_h) phase. Compounds 3c–h display an enantiotropic Col_h phase. The mesomorphic properties were found to be dependent on the length of alkoxy side chains. In N,N-dimethylformamide solution, all the compounds displayed a room temperature emission with λ_max at 361–332 nm. A thermogravimetric analysis also was performed.     

The synthesis and mesomorphic properties of 4-n-alkoxyphenyl 4-[(4-n-alkoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)ethyl]benzoates

4-n-Alkoxyphenyl4-[(4-n-alkoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)ethynyl]benzoates (compound A) are synthesised by a convenient method. These compounds exhibit only enantiotropic nematic phases and have very high clearing points. These compounds (As) can be transformed into corresponding ethane derivatives, via hydrogenation using a palladium catalyst (Pd/C), which exhibit monotropic nematic phases. The effect of the ethylene bridge (–CH₂CH₂–) on the mesomorphic behaviour is discussed.     

Synthesis,characterisation and mesomorphic properties of ester containing aroylhydrazones and their nickel(II) complexes

A new series of mesogenic aroylhydrazone-based ligands, N-[4-(4′-alkoxy)benzoyloxybenzylidene]-N′-[4″-alkoxybenzoyl]hydrazine with either the same or different peripheral alkyl chains, and nickel(II) complexes of some of them have been synthesised. They were characterised by elemental analyses, Fourier transform infrared, proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The mesomorphic properties of these compounds were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and polarising optical microscopy. All the aroylhydrazones, except those with no lateral chains on either end of the molecule and where m?=?n?=?14, 16, exhibit a monotropic or enantiotropic smectic C mesophase, which are almost insensitive to the peripheral alkoxy chain length. The square planar nickel(II) complexes of the ligands show only an isotropic phase at higher temperature (>175°C) and no mesogenic nature is observed. Density functional theory calculations have been performed using the GAUSSIAN-03 program at the Becke, three-parameter, Lee–Yang–Parr level to obtain the stable electronic structure of the ligand.     

Thiacalixarene Appended Azo-based Supramolecular Systems: Self-assembly and Photo Tuning Reversible Liquid Crystalline Properties

Four new azo-based supramolecular materials containing thiacalixarene core substituted by variable alkoxy groups ( TFA₁ – TFA₄ ) have been designed and synthesized for the mesomorphic and photoswitching properties. The liquid crystalline behavior were accomplished by using DSC, POM, and XRD studies. All azo-based thiacalixarene based materials with short and higher chain length display columnar hexagonal mesophase with broad temperature range. The thermal behavior of all the materials was investigated by DSC and TGA study. The structural and conformational study of the lower rim functionalized materials was confirmed by using different techniques. These thiacalixarene moulded liquid crystalline compounds shows columnar self-assembly type behavior and higher thermal stability. The introduction of bi-substituted azo-ester network towards the lower rim of thiacalixarene core has impact on the electron delocalization and liquid crystalline properties. The photoswitching properties suggested cis and trans azo-isomerization under radiation of UV light and higher thermal back relaxation time. The mesogenic behaviour of compound TFA₂ and TFA₄ were demolished by the influence of cis and trans isomerization. The structure-property correlation is studied to understand the variation in mesogenic properties with the substitution of variable alkoxy side chain.     

Mesogenic heterocyclic pyrazoles,isoxazoles and 1,3,4-oxadiazoles

Three new series of liquid crystals 1-3 derived from heterocyclic pyrazoles, isoxazoles and 1,3,4-oxadiazoles exhibiting smectic A or C phases were reported. Compound 1a exhibited monotropic smectic A phase, while the other two compounds 2-3a were not mesogenic. In contrast, all other compounds 1-3b bearing longer alkoxy chains exhibited smectic X and C phases, which were confirmed by powder XRD diffractometer. The clearing temperatures decreased in the order of compounds 1b > 2b > 3b, in contrast the temperature range of smectic C phases increased in the order of compounds 1b < 2b < 3b. The smectic phases in 1-3b were formed by a monomeric structure, confirmed and consistent with powder X-ray diffraction data. The formation of mesomorphic behavior might be probably attributed to their exocyclic angles and/or H-bonds. All derivatives showed good stabilities at temperature below T = 346 °C on TGA analysis.     

Mesomorphic behaviour and TSDC measurements of ortho-metallated palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with S,O-donor co-ligands

A series of ortho-metallated Pd and Pt complexes containing an imine ligand carrying three alkoxy chains and N-benzoylthiourea derivatives as co-ligands were prepared and their liquid crystalline properties investigated. Their structures were assigned based on elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, whereas thermal properties were investigated by differential scanning calotimetry and polarising optical microscopy. All the compounds exhibit monotropic transitions involving nematic and smectic A phases, with the mesomorphic behaviour strongly related to the type of N-benzoylthiourea as well as the metal centre used. The thermally stimulated depolarisation current technique was employed to determine the conduction mechanism, phase transition temperature and the activation energies for one of the ortho-metallated Pd complexes.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour of unsymmetrical tetracatenar [1,2,3]-triazole derivatives

New nonsymmetric four-chained and three-chained [1,2,3]-triazole derivatives were synthesised. Their phase behaviours were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarised optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses. The tetracatenar derivatives show a columnar mesophase and a lamellar crystalline phase. The effects of the length of the terminal alkoxy chain and the nature of the terminal group attached to the side phenyltriazole unit of the mesogenic core are discussed.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour of novel discotic meso‐tetra(3,4,5‐n‐trialkoxybenzoylaminophenyl)porphyrins

Novel porphyrin derivatives with twelve flexible alkyl chains, namely meso‐tetra[4‐(3,4,5‐n‐trialkoxybenzoylamino)phenyl]porphyrins (1a, n = 12; 1b, n = 16) and the zinc complex (2a) were synthesized. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by DSC, WAXD and polarizing optical microscopy; the results showed that 1a and 2a exhibit a pseudo‐hexagonal columnar phase, and 1b a rectangular (Col) phase over a wide temperature range including room temperature.     

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.     

Star-shaped molecules as functional materials based on 1,3,5-benzenetriesters with pendant 1,3,4-thiadiazole groups: liquid crystals,optical, solvatofluorochromic and electrochemical properties

New molecular structures consisting of a C₃ star-shaped 1,3,5-benzene unit as a central core, and three pendant 2-phenyl-5-(di-, and/or tri-n-alkoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole arms, containing ester connecting groups, variable number and positions of linear alkoxy chains (2an, 2b10 and 2c10) were synthesised. The mesomorphic properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarised optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Compounds bearing nine peripheral n-decyloxy chains (2a10) and nine peripheral n-dodecyloxy chains (2a12) form an enantiotropic hexagonal columnar phase, whereas their homologue 2a14, bearing nine peripheral n-tetradecyloxy chains, does not show mesomorphic behaviour. Compound bearing six peripheral n-decyloxy chains, which are in the 3,4-positions of the terminal benzene rings (2c10) does not show mesomorphic properties, whereas its analogous compound 2b10, bearing six n-decyloxy chains in the 3,5-positions of the terminal benzene rings, is liquid. The electrochemical behaviour of the liquid crystalline compounds 2a10 and 2a12 was investigated by cyclic voltammetry which revealed the hole-blocker character of these compounds. The ultraviolet–visible absorption and emission properties of the compounds 2an, 2b10 and 2c10 have been investigated. Photophysical studies were carried out in solution and in film. In addition, solvatofluorochromism studies were performed with compound 2a12 as a representative member of the compounds of series 2.     

苯并菲盘状液晶的合成、亲氟效应及分子对称性对介晶性的影响

New symmetrical and asymmetrical triphenylene-containing discotic liquid crystals with two different peripheral alkyl chains, known as sym-TP(OC6H13)3(OR)3 and asym-TP(OC6H13)3(OR)3, were synthesized. Their thermotropic liquid crystal properties were investigated through polarizing optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The asyrranetdcal discogens are 2,6,11-rialkoxy-3,7,10-trihexyloxytriphenylenes, with the alkyl chain carbon numbers varying from 3-10, 12, and 14, while the symmetrical compounds are 2,6,10-trialkyloxy-3,7,11-trihexyloxytriphenylene. Two fluoroalkoxy substituted triphenylene discogens, 2,6,10-td(4,4,4-trifluorobutoxy)-3,7,11-trihexyloxytriphenylene and its asymmetrical isomer 2,6,11-tri(4,4,4-trifluorobutoxy)-3,7,10-trihexyloxytdphenylene were prepared. These two compounds show higher melting and clearing points than their alkoxy analogs, which implies that fluorophilic effect exists in the formation and stabilization of discotic columnar mesophase. The triphenylene derivatives TP(OC6H13)3(OR)3 with two different peripheral chains, symmetrically or asymmetrically attached on triphenylene cores, have lower melting points and clearing points than those of the higher symmetrical compounds TP(OR)6 with the same total chain carbon numbers. The mixed-chain-triphenylenes with longer alkoxy chains (n=9,10,12,14) show columnarmesophase at room temperature.     

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.