The newly synthesized homologous series p-methoxyphenyl p-alkoxycinnamates (I) can be compared with the series N-[p-(p-alkoxycinnamoyloxy) benzylidene] p-anisidines (II). 1) All the homologues of both the series (I) and (II) from C 1 to C 18 are mesogens. In series (II) the first five members decompose due to high transitions at about 300° C. With decrease in length of the molecules of series (I) than that of series (II), the overall transitions also ...