Abstract
The synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour of a series of wedge‐shaped liquid crystals and some reference compounds are reported. These unusual liquid crystals possess smectic C, smectic A and nematic phases. These new wedge‐shaped materials with a high degree of shape anisotropy and a large dipole moment can be used to induce an increase in the flexoelectric effects of nematic guest–host mixtures as dopants at low concentrations.
Acknowledgements
We express our thanks to the Qinetiq for the award of a studentship to J. H. W. and the EPSRC for the award of a studentship to K. B. We would also like to thank B. Worthington (1H NMR) and K. Welham (MS) for spectroscopic measurements.