New banana-shaped mesogens exhibiting switchable phases at relatively low temperatures

4-Chloro-1,3-phenylene bis[4-(4-n-alkylphenyliminomethyl)benzoates] have be en synthesized and the mesophases were investigated by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction measurements and electrooptical methods. Some derivatives exhibit the electrooptically switchable mesophase B-2 between 75 - 125 deg rees C, which can be supercooled additionally by about 20 K. This existence range is very useful for further physical measurements.