The synthesis of 2-methyl-1,4-bis[2-(4-propionyloxypropyloxyphenyl)ethenyl]
benzene (1) and 2-methyl-1,4-bis[2-(4-acryloyloxypropyloxyphenyl)ethenyl]be
nzene (2) is reported. The liquid crystalline and photophysical behaviour h
as been investigated. Two liquid crystalline phases can be detected, with t
he lower temperature phase exhibiting strong H-aggregation. Thin films of t
he reactive mesogen in its liquid crystalline phase can be aligned into mon
odomains and can be polymerised in a controlled manner to give intractable
anisotropic networks.