Calamitic liquid crystals containing metal–metal bonds: design of mesomorphic materials based on the Ru2(CO)4(µ-η2-O2CR)2L2 sawhorse unit†
Abstract
A series of complexes based on the stable [Ru2(CO)4(µ-η2-O2CR)2L2] sawhorse unit has been prepared and characterized. The derivatives [Ru2(CO)4(µ-η2-O2CR)2{NC5H4(CO2C6H4OCnH2n+1-p)-p}2] (R = H, n = 10; R = C6H5, n = 6, 10, 12, 14 or 16; R = C6H4CH3-p, n = 10; R = C6H4OCH3-p, n = 6, 10 or 16) proved to be mesomorphic, giving rise to nematic phases.