The synthesis and mesogenic properties of some Schiff bases containing ferrocene, azobenzene units and flexible end chains with 17 or 18 carbon atoms are reported. The compounds have been characterized by ¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy, DSC and optical microscopy in polarized light.

The article describes the liquid-crystalline properties of some 2,5-asymmetric disubstituted [1,3,4]oxadiazole derivatives containing an azo and an ester linkage obtained through esterification of 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-[1,3,4]oxadiazole with a series of 4-(4-alkoxyphenyl)-benzoic acids containing 6–10 and 18 aliphatic carbon atoms. All reported compounds present liquid-crystalline properties, evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM), with nematic and smectic C type structures, with very large range of stability of mesophases (between 130°C and 198°C on heating and 134°C and 214°C on cooling).

Bent-core (BC) molecules became an attractive liquid crystal class due to their potential use in smart displays and photonic devices. In contrast to calamitic mesogens, bent-shaped mesogens are self-organized superstructures with remarkable properties, given the presence of polar order in mesophases, although the molecules themselves are not chiral. A particular interest represents the biaxial nematic liquid crystal materials that are used in display technology and allow a faster switching response, compared to calamitic liquid crystals, with considerably reduced costs. This chapter briefly reviews the bent-core liquid crystals with three different core units in the structure: (1) 2,5-disubstituted oxadiazole, (2) 1,3-disubstituted benzene, and (3) 2,7-disubstituted naphthalene. To the central bent units (BUs) containing reactive functional groups of phenolic or aminic type, various mesogenic groups are symmetrically or asymmetrically connected, via esterification or condensation reactions. The obtained compounds showed biaxial nematic and/or smectic mesophases with high transition temperatures in the case of oxadiazole derivatives or cholesteric and banana-type mesophases with lower transition temperatures in the case of benzene and naphthalene derivatives.