Design of Low-molar Mass Thermomesogens in the Search for Biaxial Nematic Liquid Crystals

In this article we describe research into the molecular design features for potential thermotropic biaxial nematogens of low-molar mass. We discuss how we can systematically change the shape of molecular structures in view of this aim of our work. The optical biaxialities of the materials prepared were tested through conoscopic and birefringence measurements. So far none of these materials synthesised and tested in this way have unequivocally exhibited the biaxial nematic phase. An overview of numerous further materials different in molecular shape and in part studied by others is also given.