Abstract
Alkaline-earth-metal dihexadecyl phosphate salts were synthesized, and their thermal stability was evaluated by thermogravimetry. Their thermotropic liquid crystal behaviour was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, dilatometry, and X-ray diffraction. On heating, the calcium, strontium, and barium salts exhibit columnar liquid crystal phases, whereas the less ionic beryllium and magnesium salts melt directly into isotropic liquids.