The synthesis and transition temperatures of a series of novel 2-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-5-(5- alkylthiophen-2-yl) pyrimidine liquid crystals is described. Using a palladium-catalysed cross- coupling reaction benzyloxyphenylboronic acid was coupled to 5-bromo-2-iodopyrimidine. A second coupling reaction was then performed using a series of 5-alkyl-2-tri-butylstannyl thiophenes to create the title compounds. These compounds exhibit nematic, smectic A, ...
