Syntheses and Physical Properties of Ferrocene Derivatives (IX): Crystal Structure of a Ferrocene Derivative, ω-[4-(4-methoxyphenoxycarbonyl)phenoxy carbonyl]propyl 4-ferrocenylbenzoate

Abstract

The structure of a mono-substituted ferrocene derivative of which the flexible spacer is located between the ferrocenyl and mesogenic groups, ω-[4-(4-methoxyphenoxycarbonyl)phenoxycarbonyl]propyl 4-ferrocenylbenzoate was determined by the X-ray diffraction method. It was found that the two cyclopentadienyl rings in the ferrocene and the—C₃H₆—chain introduced as a flexible spacer exhibited a very interesting conformation. The two cyclopentadienyl rings are a staggered conformation rather than an eclipsed one. This staggered conformation is an unusual structure in mono-substituted ferrocene derivatives, in general. Also, the—C₃H₆—chain includes two gauche conformations and makes a bent molecular feature rather than a rod-like one. As a result, the title compound does not exhibit liquid crystallinity.

Key Words:

• Crystal structure
• X-ray diffraction
• ferrocene derivative
• metallomesogen
• liquid crystal