Discotic Liquid Crystals Based on Cu(I) Complexes with Benzoylthiourea Derivatives Containing a Perfluoroalkyl Chain

Abstract

Mesomorphic three-coordinate copper(I) complexes ([Cu(BTU)2X], where X = Cl or Br) based on a new N-benzoylthiourea (BTU) ligand with two decyloxy and one perfluorooctyl groups at its periphery were designed and prepared. The BTU ligand coordinates via the S atom in a neutral monodentate fashion as confirmed by IR and NMR spectroscopy data. The liquid crystalline behavior of these copper(I) complexes was investigated by a combination of polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), while their thermal stability was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). These new copper(I) complexes have mesomorphic properties and exhibit a hexagonal columnar mesophase over a large temperature range, more than 100°C.