The synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of alkoxy substituted 2,2′-azoquinoxaline and its palladium complex

The synthesis and spectroscopic properties of 5,6-didodecyloxyquinoxaline-2-(1H)-one oxime, 2,2′-azobis[5,6-didodecyloxyquinoxaline] and the cyclopalladated complex di-μ-acetato-2,2′-azobis[5,6-didodecyloxyquinoxaline] dipalladium(II) are reported. The novel compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. 5,6-Didodecyloxyquinoxaline-2-(1H)-one oxime exhibited liquid crystalline properties, as determined using differential scanning calorimetry, optical polarizing microscopy and X-ray investigation. The compound displayed a discotic mesophase over a large temperature interval that included room temperature. X-ray diffraction revealed that this compound forms a discotic hexagonal ordered columnar mesophase (Colho) and thus, has potential use as a colored liquid crystal.