The effect of molecular broadening on liquid crystal behaviour in oligoaryl mesogens

The synthesis and phase behaviour of a series of broadened oligoaryls, in w hich replacement of one or two of the phenyl groups of bi- and ter-phenyl m esogens has been made by 1,4-substituted naphthalene, is reported. The nove l materials, which are not mesogenic, can be compared with the liquid cryst alline 2,6-substituted isomers.