Mesomorphic complexes of silver trifluoromethanesulfonate and silver dodecylsulfate with 2- and 3-fluoro-4-alkoxy-4′-stilbazoles

Abstract

2-Fluoro- and 3-fluoro-4-alkoxystilbazoles (n-O-2F-PhVPy and n-O-3F-PhVPy, respectively) react with AgCF₃SO₃(AgOTf) or AgC₁₂H₂₅OSO₃(AgDOS) to generate the mesomorphic complexes [Ag(n-O-yF-PhVPy)₂][X](y= 2 or 3; X = OTf or DOS). The phase behaviour of these new complexes is described and is compared with that of the ‘parent’, unfluorinated materials. While the 3-fluorinated isomers promote smectic phases and suppress formation of the cubic mesophase in the DOS salts, the 2-fluoro isomers promote both the nematic phase and the cubic mesophase.