Oligosilane derivatives, ROC(12)H(8)(SiMe(2))(n)C(12)H(8)OR, were synt
hesized by treatment of alpha,omega-dichloropermethyloligosilanes with
Grignard reagents derived from 4-alkoxy-4'-bromobiphenyls. Oligosilan
es with n = 6; R = C8H17 and n = 6; R = C10H21 showed smectic B and E
phases, respectively.