Synthesis and Optical Properties of New Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals: (S)-(+)-Methyl-2-butyl-[4′-(4-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)benzilidene]-4-aminobenzoate and (S) (+)-Methyl-2-butyl-[4′-(4-n-alkoxycinnamoyloxy)benzilidene]-4-aminobenzoate

Four members of (S)-(+)-Methyl-2-butyl-[4′-(4-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)benzilidene]-4-aminobenzoate (Series I) and four members of (S)-(+)-Methyl-2-butyl-[4′-(4-n-alkoxycinnamoyloxy)benzilidene]-4-aminobenzoate (Series II) were synthesized. Both series show cholesteric, smectic A and smectic C* phases. The phase transition behavior is described and measurements of the optical tilt angle and helix pitch in the smectic C* phase are presented.