Langmuir–Blodgett films of palladium(II)-imidazole liquid crystals

The self-assembly of organic–inorganic compounds of palladium(II)-bis(N-long chain substituted imidazole) dichloride complexes has been investigated. The presence of a hydroxyl group at the 2-position of alkyl chain induced liquid crystal properties. Molecular ordering of Pd(II)-imidazole complexes upon mechanical compression at the air/water interface is studied by surface pressure–area (π–A) isotherms and Brewster angle microscope. Incorporation of lateral hydroxyl group in the alkyl chain enhances the stability of the films via intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films formed by these compounds were studied by various techniques to characterize their surface morphology, hydrophilic/hydrophobic property, surface functionalities and interlayer spacings. U-shaped interdigitated assembling, good crystallinity and in-air stability of these LB films were demonstrated.