Synthesis and Liquid‐Crystal Properties of 2,6‐Disubstituted Naphthalene DerivativesThe syntheses and the mesomorphic properties of a series of novel 2,6‐disubstituted naphthalenes are described. 4‐[6‐(n‐Alkyl)‐2‐naphthyl]benzonitriles5and 4‐[6‐(n‐Alkoxy)‐2‐naphthyl]benzonitriles8exhibit widerange nematic mesophases. 6,6′‐Di(n‐alkyl)‐2,2′‐binaphthyls6have been isolated as by‐products from the reaction mixtures of5. Some of these novel compounds have polymorphic properties. The esters13and15of 4‐(6‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthyl)benzonitrile show enhanced mesophase stabilities which reach maximum values in the series of α, β‐unsaturated esters15. The 4‐(n‐pentyl)benzoate14of the same (hydroxynaphthyl)benzonitrile has a melting point of 125° and a clearing point of>310°. This particular derivative belongs to those liquid‐crystalline compounds having the broadest purely nematic‐phase range. In addition, (RS)‐4‐(2‐pentyl‐6‐chromanyl)benzonitrile (20) and three compounds with two and four laterally arranged CN groups at the bicyclo[2.2.2]octene, bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene, and the pheny