Main chain liquid crystalline polymers with laterally linked organometallic mesogens

The synthesis and characterization of the phase behaviour of a homologous s et of polymers of l,m-diamino-n-alkanes with bis [4-(4-alkoxybenzoyloxy)-2- hydroxybenzaldheyde] copper(II) is reported. The structural peculiarity of these polymers, which is indicated in the title, stems from the presence of metal-complexed salicylideneaminato segments connected via the nitrogen at oms. Calorimetric analysis, polarizing optical microscopy, X-ray diffractio n and dynamic viscosity measurements indicate the occurrence of nematic mes omorphism for all the polymers-including two structural analogues containin g Ni(II) or Pd(II) in place of Cu(II).