Synthesis of new liquid crystalline compounds based on 1,4-diarylbuta-1,3-dienes

A group of (E,E)-1,4-diarylbuta-1,3-dienes, substituted in the para-position of one aryl ring by an alkoxy-group and in the para-position of the other aryl group by a cyano- or halogeno-group have been synthesised. The compounds are mesogenic and their physical properties make them suitable for liquid crystal display devices when mixed with known liquid crystal materials.