Abstract A series of 3-fluoro-4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-alkylbenzoates, which show monotropic nematic phases, was prepared and their transition temperatures and melting enthalpies were measured. The 3-fluoro-4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate, 3-chloro-4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate and 4-cyanophenyl 4′-n-propylbenzoate were mixed with a nematic mixture (A) of 4-n-alkoxyphenyl 4′-n-alkylcyclohexane-1′-carboxylates. 3-Fluoro-4- ...