New chiral series with large tilt angle in the ferroelectric smectic phase

A new series of chiral homologous thiobenzoates with aliphatic end chains r anging from heptyloxy to dodecyloxy has been synthesized. It has been chara cterized by optical microscopy, DSC, pitch measurements and electro-optical study. The typical phase sequence of this series on heating is SmC*, N*, B PI, BPH and I phases. The interesting feature of these compounds is to exhi bit the SmC*-N* phase transition; moreover the tilt angle in the ferroelect ric smectic phase is. very large (similar to 45 degrees) and quasi-temperat ure independent.