Liquid crystalline macrocyclic azacalix[4]pyridine and its complexes with the zinc ion: conformational change from the saddle to flattened shape.

Substituted with four 3,4,5-tris(alkoxy)benzyl mini-dendrons, azacalix[4]pyridine (1) with the saddle-shaped core is the first liquid crystal (LC) of heteracalixaromatics. Conformational regulation of azacalix[4]pyridine by complexing with the zinc ion leads to a significant change in LC properties.