Copper-containing dendromesogens: the influence of the metal on the mesomorphism

The synthesis and liquid crystalline behaviour of the first and second gene rations of a dendrimeric structure based on poly(propyleneimine) (DAB-dendr (NH2)(x)) are reported. 4-(4-n-Alkoxybenzoyloxy)salicylaldehydes are used a s mesogenic moieties attached at the peripheral amino groups of the dendrim ers giving rise to dendromesogens with four and eight mesogenic branches. F rom these dendromesogens, considered as organic ligands, were prepared sis metal-containing dendrimers which incorporate two or four copper atoms in t heir structures. All the dendrimeric ligands and three of the metal-contain ing dendrimers exhibit liquid crystalline properties which were studied by optical microscopy, DSC, X-ray diffraction and EPR spectroscopy.