To examine the effect of bent shapes on mesomorphic properties a homologous series of steroid esters have been prepared: H (CHz),-4-C6H4-X-4-C6H4COOR, X= co, 0, s, CHz, R= cholesteryl, P-sitosteryl, cholestanyl, stigmasteryl, ergosteryl; n= 0-15. The chain elongation results in an increase in not only the molecular length but also the breadth due to the angular linkage, X. The steroid portions are of primary importance for the mesomorphic ...