Mesomorphic stilbazole complexes of silver(I) with triflate and nitrate counter‐anions

Reaction of AgX (X  NO3 or CF3SO3) with two equivalents of 4‐alkyloxystilbazole leads to the mesomorphic silver(I) complexes [Ag(n‐OPhVPy)2] [X] in high yield. The long‐chain homologues of each series show SA and SC mesophases, while for shorter chain lengths the nitrate salts show only an SA phase and the triflate salts only a nematic phase. The phase behaviour of these new complexes is discussed in relation to analogous complexes with different counter‐anions or ligands.