Abstract
The tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0)-catalysed cross-coupling of arylboronic acids with aryl halides has been used to prepare several lateral fluoro-substituted 4,4″-dialkyl- and 4.4″-alkoxyalkyl- 1,1′: 4′,1″-terphenyls. The melting points, mesophase types and transition temperatures of these compounds vary considerably depending on where the lateral fluoro-substituent is positioned. All the compounds have a strong tendcncy to form tilted sniectic mesophases.