Synthesis, characterization, and mesomorphic properties of a mixed [60]fullerene-ferrocene liquid-crystalline dendrimer

Addition reaction of the malonate-based second-generation ferrocene-containing liquid-crystalline dendrimer 16 to [60]fullerene led to the title compound 1. Molecule 1 showed good solubility in common organic solvents and good thermal stability. Examination of its mesomorphic properties revealed the presence of an enantiotropic smectic A phase, which was identified by polarized optical microscopy from the observation of typical focal-conic and homeotropic textures. The dendritic addend 16 exhibited similar properties as those of the fullerene-based dendrimer. The results described in this report open the way to the elaboration of fullerene-containing liquid-crystalline macromolecules.