Crystal structure of a mesogenic copper(II) square-planar complex bis[N-p-(n-Hexyloxy)phenyl, p-(n-heptyloxy)salicylaldiminato] copper(II)

Abstract

The crystal structure of this compound, a substance which exhibits smectic meso-morphism, is triclinic, P 1 space group, with lattice constants a = 11.280(5) Å, b = 13.598(1) Å, c = 25.650(2) Å, α = 97.85(1) Å, β = 96.76(3)° and γ = 100.37(3)°. Molecules with two different conformations are present in the unit cell, and the heptyl and hexyl side-chains are extended nearly parallel to each other. The molecules are packed together in layers with their major axes inclined at 60° to the layer plane. The observed structure explains why the liquid crystal mesophases of this and related compounds are not discotic.