Janus-type liquid-crystalline fullerodendrimers were synthesized via the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddtition of two mesomorphic dendrons and C60. By assembling poly(aryl ester) dendrons functionalized with cyanobiphenyl groups, displaying lamellar mesomorphism, with poly(benzyl ether) dendrons carrying alkyl chains, which display columnar mesomorphism, we could tailor by design the liquid-crystalline properties of the title compounds as a function of each dendron size. The liquid-crystalline properties were examined by polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction. Depending on the dendrimer generations, smectic (SmC and/or SmA phases) or columnar (Colr-c2mm or Colr-p2gg phases) mesomorphism was obtained. The supramolecular organization is governed by (1) the adequacy of the cross-sectional area of the dendrons, (2) the microsegregation of the dendrimer, (3) the deformation of the dendritic core, and (4) the dipolar interactions between the cyanobiphenyl groups. Comparison of the mesomorphic properties of two fullerodendrimers with those of model compounds (fullerene-free analogues) indicated that the C60 unit does not influence the type of mesophase that is formed. Molecular properties determined in solution (permanent dipole moment, specific dielectric polarization, molar Kerr constant) confirm that microsegregation persists in solution and strengthen the models proposed for the structure of the mesophases.
The title compounds were synthesized by applying the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of aldehyde-based poly(benzyl ether) dendrimers and sarcosine (N-methylglycine) to [60]fullerene (C 60 ). The dendritic building blocks used to functionalize C 60 displayed cubic and hexagonal columnar phases. The fullerene derivatives showed rectangular columnar phases of c2mm symmetry.The design of supramolecular [60]fullerene (C 60 ) assemblies, in which the [60]fullerene-containing molecular units are organized in a specific and controllable manner, is an elegant and appealing way to exploit the physical properties of C 60 in materials science (e.g., photoactive dyads and triads, 1 photovoltaic devices 2 ). Grafting dendrimers onto C 60 (fullerodendrimers) allowed this goal to be reached, as demonstrated by the formation of ordered and stable Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films 3 and micelles.
Liquid-crystalline methanofullerodendrimers were synthesized via the Bingel addition reaction of mesomorphic malonate derivatives and C 60 . Second-and third-generation poly(benzyl ether) dendrons were selected as liquid-crystalline promoters to induce columnar mesomorphism. Based on a convergent and modular synthetic methodology, symmetrical (two identical dendrons) and non-symmetrical (two different dendrons) dendrimers were prepared, as well as hemidendrimers (only one dendron). The liquid-crystalline properties of the malonates and fullerodendrimers were investigated by polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction. All the malonates give rise to hexagonal columnar phases of p6mm symmetry. As for the fullerodendrimers, the second-generation hemidendrimer shows a rectangular columnar phase of c2mm symmetry, while the other materials give rise to hexagonal columnar phases of p6mm symmetry.
Dinuclear ruthenium complexes containing the stable metal−metal bonded Ru2(CO)4 sawhorse unit with two dendritic carboxylato bridges have been synthesized and characterized. All complexes Ru2(CO)4(O2CR)2L2 (R = R1, R2, R3) containing cyanobiphenyl-based poly(arylester) dendrons of first (R1), second (R2), and third (R3) generation and triphenylphosphine, pyridine, or 4-picoline ligands L proved to be mesomorphic, giving rise to smectic A or smectic A and nematic phases. The supramolecular organization within the smectic A phase is governed by the nature and structure of the mesogenic units and dendritic core. Such materials are of interest for the design of catalytically active anisotropic fluids.
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