Abstract
New liquid crystalline stilbene derivatives containing vinyloxyalkoxy chains 1 (n=5, 7, 9, 11) have been synthesised. Their mesomorphic properties have been studied by polarising optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. It is interesting to note that even their alcohol precursors showed liquid crystalline behaviour. The effect of terminal alkoxy chain length and UV irradiation on the mesomorphic behaviour is discussed.