3B12 Smectic Mesomorphism of Twined Salicylaldimine Chelates

Abstract

Representative homologues of twin-rod compounds of bent molecular shape based on three-ring N-Salicylideneaniline chelates have been prepared and their mesomorphic properties characterized in the hope of obtaining helical coordination species in controllable phases. Multiple smectic phases with tilted layer structures have emerged and some of them display distinctive optical textures including tape-like domains with chevron stripes giving an appearance of being folded lengthwise, which suggests that the phase is marginal between those of twined rods with odd-methylene spacers and of bent-core mesogens.