Novel liquid crystals based on [1]benzothieno[3,2-b ][1]benzothiophene

Four series of new [1]benzothieno[3,2- b ][1]benzothiophene derivatives have been synthesized. In the non-chiral series a SmA phase occurs, while the chiral series exhibits a rather wide antiferroelectric SmCA* phase just below the SmA phase. The SmA-SmCA* phase transition has been studied using DSC and dielectric spectroscopy. In the SmCA* phase the spontaneous quantities have been measured. The tilt angle shows a typical temperature dependence and the values of spontaneous polarization are rather moderate. The length of the helical pitch increases on increasing the length of the non-chiral alkyl chain.