Insights into cobalt-based ionic liquid crystalline phases observed by structural and spectroscopic analysis

A cobalt (II) coordination complex, [Co(Cy)(Z)2]·2H2O, (Cy denotescyclam; and Z- denotes the 4-(tetradecyloxy)benzoate) was synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic, magnetic, and thermal techniques. FTIR, 1H NMR, elemental analysis, and UV–visible spectroscopy supported its composition and coordination features. The magnetic moment decreased from approximately 4.9 BM at 30 °C, with anomalies near thermal transitions and hysteresis during cooling. Variable-temperature PXRD analysis suggested lamellar ordering. DSC and polarized optical microscopy indicated thermally induced transitions and possible liquid-crystalline behavior, requiring further structural investigation