| abstract |
Non-crosslinked, branched liquid crystalline organosilicon compounds exhibit the general formula (R<sub>3</sub>SiO<sub>1/2</sub>)<sub>w</sub> (R<sub>2</sub>SiO)<sub>x</sub> (RSiO<sub>3/</sub>)<sub>y</sub> (SiO<sub>4/2</sub>)<sub>z</sub> where at least one R represents a mesogenic (liquid crystal forming) group, the remaining R represent monovalent hydrocarbon or halohydrocarbon radicals, w represents an integer having a value of at least 1, x, y, and z individually represent an integer including zero, the sum of x and y is at least 1 and the sum of w, x, y, and z is from 4 to 50, inclusive. |