Donocadh P. Lydon and Jonathan P. Rourke
The double cyclopalladation of di-Schiff’s bases and subsequent reaction with a β-diketone yields novel metallomesogens containing a dimetallated organometallic core: these compounds show nematic phases, and the use of simple alkyl substituted diketones has a very dramatic effect on both the melting and clearing points, bringing them down substantially.