The ferroelectric phases derived from the 4-n-alkoxycinnamic acids

The optically active 4-(2-methylbutyloxy)phenol and 4-hydroxy-(2′-methylbutyl) benzoate esters of the p-n-alkoxycinnamic acids have been made and characterized. These materials show similar ferroelectric liquid crystal properties to and in a temperature range between those found for the analogous two and three benzene ring systems. These materials provide chiral smectic C phases in intermediate temperatures ranges (50-90°C) required to produce eutectic ferroelectric mixtures over a wide range of temperatures.