The effect of ΔΛ chirality on molecular organization in two-dimensional films of a Ru(ii) complex with a mesogenic ligand

Abstract

A novel amphiphilic Ru(II) complex, [Ru(acac)₂L] (acac = acetylacetonato, L = 5,5′-bis(4-octylphenyloxycarbonyl)-2,2′-bipyridyl), in which L undergoes SmC, SmA and N liquid crystal phases, exhibits a remarkable chirality effect on its monolayer state: that is, a racemic mixture gives a monolayer consisting of spike-like aggregates of 1.2 nm (in height) × 50 nm (in diameter), whereas the Δ-enantiomer gives a uniform monolayer.