Bisimines in Supramolecular Synthesis

Aldimines, but not ketimines, are complexed with hydroquinone or meso-hydrobenzoin to give a supramolecular structure. A bisimine aromatic ring is an indispensable condition for this type of complexation. When hydroquinone is complexed with a bisimine carrying a central aliphatic chain with more than two methylenes, a complex with a liquid crystal structure resemblance is formed.