Metal alkanoates combine simple chemical structures and a versatility of condensed states of matter they exhibit. Solid crystals, plastic crystals, lyotropic and thermotropic ionic liquid crystals, liquids, mesomorphic glasses, and Langmuir–Blodgett films are just a few examples. Liquid crystal phases of metal alkanoates are the most intriguing because they represent a non-conventional class of materials known as ionic metallomesogens. Structural, thermal, and transport properties of mesomorphic metal alkanoates are well documented and reviewed. On the contrary, the optical and nonlinear-optical properties of these materials are very poorly understood. The situation has changed rapidly during the last decade. Advances in the design of mesomorphic glasses stable at room temperatures have launched a new era of research in the field of photonic and optoelectronic materials based on mesomorphic metal alkanoates. This manuscript reviews recent developments in the field of optical and nonlinear-optical materials based on mesomorphic metal alkanoates.

链烷酸金属结合了简单的化学结构和它们所表现出的物质凝聚态的多功能性。固体晶体，塑料晶体，溶致和热致性离子液晶，液体，介晶玻璃和Langmuir-Blodgett膜只是其中的几个例子。金属链烷酸酯的液晶相最引人入胜，因为它们代表了一种非常规的材料，称为离子金属致烃剂。介晶金属链烷酸酯的结构，热和输运性质已得到充分记录和审查。相反，对这些材料的光学和非线性光学性质了解得很少。在过去的十年中，这种情况迅速改变。在室温下稳定的介晶玻璃的设计进展，开启了基于介晶金属链烷酸酯的光子和光电材料领域的研究新纪元。该手稿回顾了基于介晶金属链烷酸酯的光学和非线性光学材料领域的最新进展。