Effect of shape of mesogenic group on the formation of liquid crystalline phase in polymers

Mesomorphic behaviour of four polymethacrylates with mesogenic side groups has been studied. In contrast to monomers which are nematogenic, mesogenic groups in the polymers form layer structures of the smectic type. A thermodynamic stable mesophase is supposed to be realized in polymers which consist of macromolecules of secondary structure, considering a macromolecule as the smallest structural element of the polymer system.