Mesophase Tractable Metallopolymers Based on a Metal Carboxylate Backbone Prepared by Drastic Solid‐to‐Solid Transformation within Solvothermal Synthesis

A series of layer‐structured zinc‐containing metallopolymers were prepared through a solvothermal reaction of zinc acetate with 1,4‐benzene dicarboxylic acid derivatives bearing various nonpolar n ‐alkyl groups as side chains. The resulting metallopolymers were investigated. The reaction time and the length of the alkyl substituents on the backbone have a marked effect on the mesophase structure and thermal behaviors of the metallopolymers. The metallopolymer with tetradecyloxy side chains prepared by solid‐to‐solid transformations within solvothermal synthesis exhibits a unique mesophasic behavior with melt tractability.