Discotic liquid crystals of transition metal complexes 60^†: synthesis and π-acceptor abilities of novel discotic liquid crystals based on dithiolene nickel complex

Abstract

We have synthesized thirteen novel metallomesogens based on dithiolene nickel complex showing π-acceptor properties: (o-C₁₂OPhO)₄DTNi (1), (m-C₁₂OPhO)₄DTNi (2), (p-C₁₂OPhO)₄DTNi (3), [o,m-(C₁₂O)₂PhO]₄DTNi (4), [m,m′-(C₁₂O)₂PhO]₄DTNi (5), [p,m-(C_nO)₂PhO]₄DTNi (6: n = 10(a), 12(b), 14(c), 16(d)) and Cl-[p,m-(C_nO)₂PhO]₄DTNi (7a–d). By using plarizing microscopic observations, differential scanning chalorimetry, and temperature-variable X-ray diffraction studies, the columnar liquid crystalline mesophases were established for the 6a–d and 7a–d derivatives. It was also revealed from the electrochemical measurements that each of the complexes of 1–7 showed good π-acceptor abilities. In particular, the derivatives, Cl-[p,m-(C_nO)₂PhO]₄DTNi (7a–d), exhibit the most positive reduction potential from +0.08 to +0.07 V versus. SCE.

Keywords:

• Acceptor ability
• discotic liquid crystal
• dithiolne nickel complex
• homeotropic alignment
• metallomesogen

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.