Mesomorphic silver(I) complexes of polycatenar 2′- and 3′-stilbazoles. Crystal and molecular structure of 3,4-dimethoxy-3′-stilbazole and of two silver triflate complexes

The synthesis of 3,4-dialkoxy and 3,4,5-trialkoxy derivatives of 2- and 3-stilbazole are reported along with their related complexes with silver dodecylsulphate and silver triflate. The single crystal structures of one ligand and two complexes are reported. While none of the complexes of the 2-stilbazoles is liquid-crystalline, several complexes of the 3-stilbazoles show columnar mesophases as characterised by polarised optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The liquid crystal phase behaviour is compared with that of the parent 4-stilbazole derivatives.