Paramagnetic rod-like liquid crystals with lateral branches: bis{N-alkyl[5-(4-decyloxybenzoyloxy)]salicylaldiminate} copper(II)

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of a homologous series of copper(II) complexes (CuL₂) with a large lateral substituent and of their respective ligands, N-alkyl[5-(4-decyloxybenzoyloxy)]salicylaldimines (LH), are reported. The ligands showed monotropic smectic A mesophases, whereas the copper(II) complexes exhibit monotropic nematic mesophases for n= 3,6,7,8 and 9, enantiotropic smectic C and nematic phases for n= 1, an enantiotropic nematic mesophase when n= 2 and non-liquid-crystal properties for n= 4,5,10,16. The relationship between molecular structure and mesomorphic behaviour is discussed.