A series of three 4,4'-disubstituted-2,2'-bipyridines and the corresponding mononuclear cis-dichloro palladium(II) complexes have been synthesized. None of the ligands show mesomorphism. Upon their complexation to Pd(II) the peculiar structural arrangement characterized by intermolecular associations of the new derivatives induces mesogenic properties, confirming the new and exciting role of the coordination chemistry in metal-mediated formation of liquid crystals.