Magnetomesogens: Bis(1,3-di(4'-decoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dionato)oxovanadium (IV)

β-Diketonate complexes of oxovanadium (IV) have been synthesized and their mesomorphic behaviour investigated. The title complex exhibits a short range monotropic columnar discotic phase, identified by its optical texture and by miscibility studies. The optical texture of the phase is retained on cooling to the crystal. As a consequence of the unpaired electron on vanadium the complexes are paramagnetic.