Raman spectroscopy of liquid crystalline N-[4-(4-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)-2-hydroxybenzylidene]-3-aminopyridines

New homologous series of N-[4-(4-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)-2-hydroxybenzylidene]-3-aminopyridines were synthesized, they exhibited a nematic phase. The temperature dependence of their Raman spectra has been observed in the spectral range 900-1800 cm^-1. Some Raman bands show a marked change in their intensity and frequency through the phase transition from crystalline solid to nematic. These bands are ascribed to the vibrational modes related to the core part of the molecule. Such behaviour can be explained by the change of molecular conformation related to the core. Some members of these series exhibited photochromism in the solid state.