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(CO₂C₆H₄OC_nH_2n+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.