CRYSTAL AND MOLECULAR-STRUCTURE OF THE MESOGENIC COMPLEX L-4'-(N-DODECYLOXY)SALICYLIDENE-IMINATO]COPPER(II)

The X-ray crystal structure of the complex (C3H7L)2Cu, C3H7L = propyl) phenyl-4'-(n-dodecyloxy)salicyldeneaminato, is reported. Crystals were monoclinic C2/c space group, with a = 53.76(3), b = 8.540(4), c = 12. 027(6) angstrom, beta = 94.89(4)-degrees and Z = 4. The structure was refined to R = 0.079 for 145 parameters using 1314 reflections with I > 3sigma(I). The compound consists of C3H7L ligand moieties bonded to copper atoms in a trans geometry. (C3H7L)2Cu is a mesogenic compound w hich shows an enantiotropic smectic A phase between 112 and 152-degree s-C; the analogies with respect to the structure found in such a mesop hase are described.