Abstract
A new family of symmetrical eight aromatic ring-containing bent-shaped mesogens in which the central elbow is a ketone has been synthesized and characterized. The effect of the side chain on the mesomorphism has been studied. All the bent derivatives were found to exhibit mesomorphism. The higher homologues of the series exhibit the B1 phase and the lower homologues of the series show the B6 phase.
Acknowledgment
We thank the DST (New Delhi) for financial assistance. Two of us (T.G. and S.C.) are grateful to the CSIR (New Delhi) for their fellowships. We are also thankful to Dr. Raghunathan of Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, for providing the HRXRD data.