Synthesis and liquid crystalline properties ferrrocenyl compounds forming charge transfer complexes

Abstract

Disubstituted ferrocenyl compounds having two benzylideneaniline mesogens, 1 and 2, and that having a benzylideneaniline and a biphenyl mesogens 3, showed isotropic liquid to liquid crystalline phase transition even though they partially formed charge transfer complexes with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE). The phase transitioin temperatures decreased with increasing concentration of TCNE, and no liquid crystalline phase was observed when the TCNE concentration was higher than 32, 40, and 19 mol% for 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The disappearance of liquid crystalline phase at; high TCNE concentrations can be ascribed to attenuation of the liquid crystal forming tendency of the mesogenic group by bulky ferrocene/TCNE complex.