Mesomorphic state and types of mesophases

The paper presents basic types of liquid-crystalline phases obtained in different ways and supermolecular arrangement in those phases. Characteristic features of molecular structure of mesogens are discussed, moreover their influence on liquid-crystalline properties are described too. Examples of the effect of intermolecular interactions on the phase situation of a liquid crystal are given. Keywords: liquid crystals, mesophases, polymorphism, mesogens, molecular structure