Fluorophobic Effect in Metallomesogens – The Synthesis and Mesomorphism of Ag, Au, Cu, Fe, Pd, and Pt Fluorous Isocyanide Complexes

The synthesis of Ag(CNAr)2BF4, Ag(CNAr)2NO3, AuCl(CNAr), CuCl(CNAr), [CuCl(CNAr)2]2, Fe(CO)4CNAr, trans-[PdI2(CNAr)2], and trans-[PtI2(CNAr)2] complexes containing the fluorous isocyanide ligand CNAr [Ar = 4-F(CF2)8(CH2)4OC6H4] and the examination of the mesomorphic properties of these novel fluorous organometallics are reported. The fluorous isocyanide ligand is mesomorphic, as opposed to its hydrocarbon analogue. In general, the fluorophobic effect enhances the microsegregation in the investigated organometallic/isocyanide complexes, as compared to their hydrocarbon analogues. The fluorous mesophases are stable over a wider temperature range and exhibit higher transition temperatures.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)