Iron(II) metallomesogens based on symmetrical tripod ligands

Novel mononuclear tripodand-based iron(II) complexes showing liquid crystal properties have been synthesized and characterized. These are based on ligands tris[3-aza-4-((5-Cn)(6-R-2-pyridyl))but-3-enyl]amine, where R = hydrogen or methyl, 1,3,5-cis,cis-tris[1-aza-2-((5-alkyloxy)(2-pyridyl))vinyl]cyclohexane and 2,2,2-tris(2-aza-3-((5-alkyloxy)(2-pyridyl))prop-2-enyl)ethane. The physical characterization has been carried out by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements, magnetic susceptibility, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy.