Mesomorphic silver(I) complexes of polycatenar 2′- and 3′-stilbazoles. Crystal and molecular structure of 3,4-dimethoxy-3′-stilbazole and of two silver triflate complexes

The synthesis of 3,4-dialkoxy and 3,4,5-trialkoxy derivatives of 2- and 3-stilbazole are reported along with their related complexes with silver dodecylsulphate and silver triflate. The single crystal structures of one ligand and two complexes are reported. While none of the complexes of the 2-stilbazoles is liquid-crystalline, several complexes of the 3-stilbazoles show columnar mesophases as characterised by polarised optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The liquid crystal phase behaviour is compared with that of the parent 4-stilbazole derivatives.

Graphical abstractDi- and tri-alkoxy-2′ and 3′-stilbazoles were synthesised using a Siegrist methodology. None of these ligands was mesomorphic, but their complexes with silver(I) dodecylsulphate and triflate les to complexes showing columnar mesophases as characterised by optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Single crystal structures of one ligand and two triflate complexes are reported.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide