## 4 Conclusions  
A new metallomesogen based on a pentacoordinated Zn(II) metal centre was synthesized and characterized. Despite its bulky coordination, the coordination complex arranged into smectic layers starting from 89 \({}^{\circ}\)C. On cooling, the smectic phase is retained at room temperature and found to co-exist with the crystalline phase. An arrangement in the smectic phase is proposed based on X-ray scattering studies at both small- and wide-angles.  
The electrochemical behaviour of the amphiphilic complex **Zn_tpy**, as a modifier of the **GC** electrode, was studied in comparison with its precursor **Zn_p** that lacks alkyl chains. The amphiphilic structure of the metallomesogen confers special properties for the complex regarding its electrochemical behaviour. The anodic and cathodic peaks identified for **Zn_tpy/GC** electrode in 0.1 M NaOH supporting electrolyte using cyclic voltammetry revealed the presence of redox systems for the whole potential range from \(-1.5\) to \(+1.5\) V vs. SCE. Within the negative potential range, the metallic zinc deposition and zinc oxide formation occurred during cathodic scanning at a potential value more negative than \(-0.55\) V vs. SCE and zinc stripping was identified at a higher potential value. At a more positive potential range, higher than \(+0.65\) V vs. SCE, the zinc oxide dissolution with the zincate formation controlled by the HO\({}^{-}\) anions diffusion at the electrode surface occurred, which is overlapped at about \(+1.25\) V vs. SCE with oxygen evolution reaction. This behaviour makes this complex suitable to be used in electrode modification/functionalization to confer it electrocatalytic activity vs. its dichlor precursor **Zn_p** that did not exhibit redox systems. The differences may derive from the different molecular structure of the two complexes; while in the case of **Zn_p** there is more likely a closer vicinity of the metal centres and their unavailability for involvement in the reduction and oxidation electrode processes, in the case of **Zn_tpy**, the bulky gallate ligands form an organic shell that keeps the metal centres more or less isolated, not permitting close contacts, which make them available for Zn reduction followed by its stripping. This can be a strategy to build performant sensing materials with nanoseparated electrochemically active centres.  
The following supporting information can be downloaded at: [[https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/app12168306/s1](https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/app12168306/s1)]([https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/app12168306/s1](https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/app12168306/s1)), Figure S1: 1H NMR spectra of complex **Zn_tpy**; Figure S2: TGA trace of complex **Zn_tpy**; Figure S3: DSC trace of complex **Zn_tpy**; Figure S4: S/WAXS pattern of complex **Zn_tpy** at 100 \({}^{\circ}\)C.  
Conceptualization, B.D., F.M. and E.I.S.; methodology, E.I.S.; investigation, B.H., A.A.A., E.P., S.M., S.I., S.N., C.C.; resources, E.I.S.; data curation, B.D., F.M. and E.I.S.; writing--original draft B.D., F.M. and E.I.S. and E.I.S.; writing--review and editing, B.D., F.M. and E.I.S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This work was supported by a grant of the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, CNCS-UEFISCDI, project number PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-1958, within PNCDI III.  
Not applicable.  
We acknowledge the Romanian Academy, Program 4 and B.D. and B.H. thank CNRS and University of Strasbourg for support. This work was supported by a grant of the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CNCS/CCCDI-UEFISCDI, project number PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-1958, within PNCDI III.  
The authors declare no conflict of interest.