Abstract: The synthesis and characterization of a new series of aromatic amide compounds that have only amide linkage between the phenyl rings are reported. Some of them are found to be thermotropic liquid crystals. Aromatic amide compounds are considered undesirable for forming thermotropic liquid crystal because the extensive hydrogen bonding among the molecules would result in too high the melting point- In this study, we found that the aro-matic amide compounds with proper lateral substitution on center phenylene and proper ter-minal groups at the two ends of the rod-like molecules were able to form thermotropic liquid crystalline phases.

Key words: Aromatic amide compound, Liquid crystal phase, Thermotropic liquid crystal