Combined Stabilizing Effects of Trifluoromethyl Groups and Semifluorinated Side Chains on the Thermotropic Liquid‐Crystal Behavior of β‐Enamino Ketone Ligands and Their Bischelate PdII Complexes

Several linear β-enamino ketone ligands and their corresponding bischelate PdII complexes bearing various combinations of methyl and trifluoromethyl groups at the chelating center as well as peripheral hydrocarbon and perfluorinated side chains were prepared. The effect of these structural modifications on the thermotropic liquid-crystalline behavior of both the ligands and the corresponding metal complexes was studied. The relationships between the molecular structures and the corresponding thermal properties are discussed. As expected, the persistence of liquid-crystalline behavior was highly sensitive to both applied structural manipulations. On the one hand, increased steric congestion around the chelating moiety clearly appears detrimental to the retention of mesomorphism. On the other hand, perfluorinated chains at the molecular extremity can occasionally restore it. Therefore, the regulation of the balance between both structural parameters permits a precise control of the mesomorphic properties of the compounds.