(68) Synthesis of new metal-containing liquid crystalline materials

     Metallomesogens, also known as metal-containing liquid crystalline materials, are known to create materials with unique properties (color, magnetism, redox behavior) and the ability to respond to environmental stimuli... [ view full abstract ]

     Metallomesogens, also known as metal-containing liquid crystalline materials, are known to create materials with unique properties (color, magnetism, redox behavior) and the ability to respond to environmental stimuli (temperature, pressure, electrical voltage). Given the wide array of potential applications suggested for these materials, we have attempted to construct new metallomesogens that utilize bipyridine ligands of varying fatty tails lengths that can bind metal centers such as nickel and palladium that also link additional ligands such as the halogens or benzenedithiolate.  In this work, we have developed new synthetic routes, including one that does not require reaction solvent.  The new materials have been characterized with a variety of instrumentation to both prove the molecular structure and the bulk material behaviors.