Theories and experimental investigations of the structural and thermotropic mesomorphic phase behaviors of metal carboxylates

Investigations on the phase behaviors and structural properties of mono-, di- and poly-valent metal carboxylates are reviewed with reference to developments in experimental and theoretical concepts surrounding their liquid crystalline properties. The main methods of structural investigation such as X-ray diffraction, infrared and 13 C-NMR spectroscopies are examined in detail on the basis of common synthetic routes leading to the isolation of pure compounds. A detailed review of the thermal behaviors of several metal carboxylates is presented along with proposed theories and molecular models for odd-even alternation, chain length effects, phase structures and mesophase formation. Theories explaining the effects of metal ion radii and chain unsaturation are also discussed. Proposed degradation mechanisms resulting in the formation of various products and kinetic studies are also considered. Though this review highlights a number of investigations on the structural and phase properties of the mostly widely studied carboxylates, the results presented here strongly indicate that there is room for further studies on some of these systems.