Boron clusters as structural elements of novel liquid crystalline materials

closo-Boranes are characterised by high thermal and oxidative stability due in part to highly delocalised bonding within a σ-framework. These boron clusters when employed as structural elements of liquid crystals give rise to novel structures with unique properties and vast potential in applications. The neutral closo-boranes such as the carboranes provide opportunity to perform fundamental structure–property relationship studies that may provide additional insight on the liquid crystalline state. The anionic closo-borates possessing a highly delocalised negative two charge can be used as structural elements of zwitterionic, quadrupolar liquid crystalline materials. Such materials may be of use for understanding the effects of polarity on the liquid crystalline state. Lastly, the anionic closo-monocarbaborates possessing a single highly delocalised negative charge can be envisioned as structural elements of either highly polar or ionic liquid crystalline materials. The highly polar materials may also serve as models for understanding the effects of polarity on the liquid crystalline state. Additionally, they should have application as positive Δ? additives for nematic liquid crystalline mixture formulations. The ionic materials, where the anionic fragment drives liquid crystalline behaviour, lend themselves as potential electrolytes for anisotropic ion transport in battery technologies. The review presented here introduces these concepts and highlights the current status of boron cluster containing liquid crystalline materials.