Synthesis and properties of amide type liquid crystalline crown ether potassium complexes containing dibenzo-18-crown-6 unit

Two series of amide type liquid crystalline crown ether potassium complexes containing dibenzo-18-crown-6 were synthesized. Their structures and properties were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, AAS, DSC, XRD and polarizing optical microscopy with a beating stage (POM). Results show that the complexes change into liquid crystal phase when they are heated over their respective melting points, and the complexes melting points T-m and isotropization temperature T-i change regularly with the increase of the carbon numbers in the end alkoxy groups. The liquid crystalline phase temperature range became broader after complexation, and showed nematic and smectic phase comparing with ligands.