ABSTRACT
Luminescent complexes with general formula [(C^N)2Ir(N^N)]OCOCH3, where C^N = 2-phenylpyridine (ppy) and N^N = 2,2ʹ-bipyridine (bpy), self-assemble into ordered ‘soft’ viscous mesophases of chromonic type. By changing the ancillary ligand with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), a new mesomorphic complex was obtained. The self-assembly into ordered liquid crystalline phases of chromonic type in water was investigated by comprehensive rheological and photophysical studies. By changing the ancillary ligand bpy with phen, assembly into smaller, more symetric aggregates is favoured, resulting in lower viscosity and more dynamic mesophase.
Graphical Abstract
![](/cms/asset/0334023e-1e52-4961-8297-a4d7a38d9692/tlct_a_1254294_uf0001_oc.jpg)
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the European Community’s Seventh Framework Program (FP7 2007–2013) through the MATERIA project (PONa3_00370) and MATELIOS (PON03PE_00092), by the Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca through Italian PRIN 2012 (N. 2012JHFYMC) and by Regione Calabria (Italy) through POR CALABRIA FESR 2007/2013, ASSE I. I.A. thanks Carla Bertucci and Sabrina Stillo for their help in the synthesis. E. I. Sz. and C. C. dedicate this work to the 150th anniversary of the Romanian Academy.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
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