The Liquid-Crystalline Properties of Copper(II) Complexes of β-Diketones

Abstract

Abstract The preparation of several novel copper(II) complexes of β-diketones is described. Complexes of increasing molecular width have been prepared and the effect of molecular shape on the mesophase types and transition temperatures is discussed. All the liquid-crystalline complexes-exhibit nematic mesophases (monotropic for three-ring ligands and enantiotropic for four-ring ligands) with one exception which shows a smectic A phase. The liquid crystalline properties of the ligands are also discussed with respect to the way in which their molecular geometry affects the type of mesophase formed.