Two new classes of chiral side-chain polymers comprising a variously spaced
biphenyl unit as both a mesogenic core and a fluorescent chromophore were
investigated. The chiral group was either a 2,3- or a 2,2-disubstituted oxi
rane ring. The structures of the smectic phases (A, B, or E) were investiga
ted by X-ray diffraction. Excimer fluorescence emission was detected at roo
m temperature in the smectic phase.