AbstractA series of polysters based on a triad aromatic ester mesogenic unit but containing different poly(alkylene oxide) flexible spacers in the main chain was prepared and its properties examined. The flexible spacers consisted of poly(alkylene oxide)s of varying lengths based on either oligomers of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide. The spacer types, lengths and distributions were found to strongly affect the mesophase and melting behaviors of the polymers. Polymers with spacers having more than 10 units were not liquid crystalline, whereas those of shorter length exhibited mesophase properties. The polymers containing spacers with two, three, or four oxyethylene units showed two mesophases, and the textures of their mesophases suggested that both smectic and nematic phases were formed.