Supramolecular Metallomesogens: Hydrogen-Bonded Ferrocene-Containing Liquid Crystals Which Display Bicontinuous Cubic Phases

Two series of H-bonded liq.-cryst. ferrocenes were prepd. by reacting ferrocene derivs. carrying a carboxylic acid function and two flexible alkyl chains (contg. n = 8, 10, or 12 C atoms) with stilbazoles bearing a flexible alkyl chain (contg. m = 6 or 10 C atoms). The 1st family of materials (m = 6; n = 8, 10, 12) gave rise to smectic A/C and/or cubic (Ia?3d space group) phases, and the 2nd series of complexes (m = 10; n = 8, 10, 12) displayed cubic phases (Ia?3d space group). A subtle balance between the vol. occupied by the central core and the flexible chains, as well as the surface between both parts, are responsible for the formation of the mesophases. H bonding is an elegant alternative to covalent bonding for the design of ferrocene-contg. liq. crystals. [on SciFinder(R)]