It is well known that organic molecules composed of a rigid and polarisable elongated core, attached to one or two aliphatic chains, often give liquid-crystal mesophases when heated.' In particular, when the alkyl chains are long, smectic phases tend to result due to the microphase separation of the polarisable core and the aliphatic tail portions. Smectic phases are also found in mesomorphic salts, the classic examples of which are Group 1 metal salts of carboxylic ...
