X-ray investigations on a homologous series ofN-(4-alkoxysalicylidene)-4′-alkyl-anilines complexed to copper (II)

The results arising from a systematic X-ray analysis carried out on a homologous series ofN-(4-alkoxysalicylidene)-4′-alkyl-aniline, either as uncomplexed ligands or as copper (II) complexes, are reported. Such an investigation, performed in order to elucidate the role played by both the metal centre and the length of the aliphatic chain, suggests a molecular packing which accounts for the increased order induced by the metallic core, the strong interdigitation of the molecules, the solid-phase features and the structural properties of the smectic mesophases.