Chiral smectic C phase exhibited by some 4-n-alkoxy-agr-methyl cinnamates

Abstract

A number of 4-n-alkoxy-agr-methylcinnamic acid esters have been prepared and many of these exhibit the chiral smectic C phase. A suitable mixture using these compounds provides a fairly low temperature ferroelectric liquid crystal. The spontaneous polarisation has also been measured as a function of temperature for two of these compounds.