New switchable smectic phases in banana-shaped compounds

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Abstract
A new series of achiral compounds with banana-shaped molecules ('E n ') has been synthesized and studied by the classical techniques (optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, miscibility studies and electro-optic investigations). The short homologues (E7-E10) give switchable smectic mesophases. Nevertheless their textures clearly differ from those of the B2 mesophase. In addition, the E10 compound displays a smectic polymorphism involving a new bilayered structure.