Halo- and organogold(I) complexes as potential metallomesogens

There is currently much interest in how the properties of liquid crystals may be altered by metal atoms. Gold(I) complexes of the type RAuL have recently been shown to exhibit interesting liquid crystal behaviour. As molecular structure and intermolecular forces play a major role in liquid crystal chemistry, changing the nature of the R and L groups result in changes mesomorphic properties. The aim of the project was to synthesise RAuL complexes with stilbazole ligands and to investigate how different R groups influence the liquid crystal properties. ClAu(n-OST) complexes, n-OST = trans-4,4'-alkoxystilbazole with n = number of carbon atoms in the alkoxy chain, were synthesised from ClAu(tht) and n-OST. They were found to exhibit smectic A mesophases, melting between 135-153 °C and decomposing at the clearing point at 168-180 °C. The transition temperatures decreased as the chain length of the n-OST ligand increased.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Chemistry

Year dc:date.issued

1999

Author dc:creator

• Hess, Fiona Millicent

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Moss, John R

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9757

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9757