The synthesis of a novel ferroelectric alkoxythiophene-containing liquid cr
ystal is described together with the mesophase morphology of the material.
The alkoxythiophene unit is introduced by a highly efficient ring closure o
f an appropriate gamma -ketoester using Lawesson's reagent as the sulfurati
ng agent. Our new cyclization methodology represents the most efficient syn
thetic pathway for the synthesis of this unit.