Organometallic chiral liquid crystals: bis{4-[ω-(cholest-5-en-3-yloxycarbonyl)alkoxy]phenylethynyl}mercury complexes

Abstract

We report the synthesis and thermal behaviour of the first chiral organometallic trimesogens having bis[(4-phenyl)ethynyl]mercury as the central core connected on either side to cholesteryl ester moieties through either even-even (C₄) or odd-odd (C₃, C₅ and C₇) central alkylene spacers. All the organomercury trimesogens exhibit a chiral nematic phase. These mercury complexes are extremely sensitive to heat, in a manner reminiscent of other reports.