One-Dimensional Polymers and Mesogens Incorporating Multiple Bonds between Metal Atoms

A synthetic strategy aimed at incorporating metal-metal multiple bonds into one-dimensional polymers and liquid crystals is outlined. Specific examples taken from the use of dimetal tetracarboxylates, where the metals are molybdenum and tungsten, are presented. Depending upon the organic linking group, the one-dimensional polymers may be conducting or charge-storing, and the characterization of discrete dimers of "dimers" is used to illustrate this. The thermotropic and other physicochemical properties of mesogenic M(2)(O(2)CR)(4) compounds can be related to the intermolecular M(2)- - -O interactions as a function of M and R.