Ferrocene-containing liquid-crystalline dendrimers: a novel family of mesomorphic macromolecules

The synthesis and liquid-crystalline properties of a first-generation dendritic core substituted with six mesomorphic ferrocene units are reported; the investigated compound exhibited a broad enantiotropic smectic A phase (polarized optical microscopy, DSC, and XRD studies) and good thermal stability (thermogravimetry).