Mesogens

1. Mesogens having the following formula:

wherein

X is a polymerizable group,

Y consists essentially of an amino group;

R 2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a methyl group.

2. The mesogens of claim 1 wherein said polymerizable groups have polymerizable unsaturated carbon-carbon bond.

3. The mesogens of claim 1 wherein said polymerizable groups are selected from the group consisting of acryloyloxy alkoxy groups and methacryloyloxy alkoxy groups having alkyl moiety with from 2 to 12 carbon atoms.

4. The mesogens of claim 3 wherein said alkyl moiety consists essentially of from 2 to 12 carbons atoms and CH 2 groups optionally are substituted by groups selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, and ester groups; provided that from 2 to 12 carbon atoms separate said oxygen from said ester groups.

5. The mesogens of claim 4 , wherein said alkyl moiety consists essentially of a total of from 2 to 9 carbon atoms.

6. The mesogens of claim 4 , wherein said alkyl moiety consists essentially of a total of from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

7. The mesogens of claim 1 wherein X is cinnamoyloxy group.

8. Mesogens having the following formula

wherein

X is a polymerizable group selected from the group consisting of acryloyloxy alkoxy groups and methacryloyloxy alkoxy groups having alkyl moiety with from 2 to 12 carbon atoms;

Y consists essentially of an amino group;

R 2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups having from about 1 to 6 carbon atoms and aryl groups; and

R 1 and R 3 are selected from hydrogen and a methyl group.

9. The mesogens of claim 8 , wherein said alkyl moiety consists essentially of 2 to 12 carbons atoms and CH 2 groups optionally are substituted by groups selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, and ester groups; provided that from 2 to 12 carbon atons separate said oxygen from said ester groups.

10. The mesogens of claim 9 wherein said alkyl moiety consists essentially of a total of from 2 to 9 carbon atoms.

11. The mesogens of claim 9 wherein said alkyl moiety consists essentially of a total of from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

12. The mesogens of claim 8 wherein X is cinnamoyloxy group.

13. Mesogens having the following formula:

wherein X and Y independently are selected from the group consisting of spacer groups, polymerizable groups, and combinations thereof, wherein one or more members selected from the group consisting of X and Y have the following structure:

wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of spacer groups, terminal functionalities, polymerizable groups, and combinations thereof, said spacer groups being selected from the group consisting of H-(CH 2 ) n -O- groups, Cl(CH 2 ) n -O- groups, Br(CH 2 ) n -O- groups, wherein n is from about 2 to about 12 wherein the CH 2 groups independently can be substituted by oxygen, sulfur, or an ester group; provided that from 2 to 12 carbons separate said oxygen or said ester group;

R 2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and aryl groups; and

R 1 to and R 3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a methyl group.

14. The mesogens of claim 13 wherein n is from about 2 to 9.

15. The mesogens of claim 13 wherein n is from about 2 to 6.

16. The mesogens of claim 13 wherein said polymerizable groups have an alkyl moiety having a polymerizable unsaturated carbon-carbon bond.

17. The mesogens of claim 13 wherein said polymerizable groups have an alkyl moiety having a polymerizable unsaturated carbon-carbon bond.

18. The mesogens of claim 16 wherein said alkyl moiety has from 2 to 9 atoms.

19. The mesogens of claim 16 wherein said alkyl moiety has from 2 to 6 atoms.

20. The mesogens of claim 13 wherein R 2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl groups, t-butyl groups, isopropyl groups, secondary butyl groups, and phenyl groups.

21. The mesogens of claim 13 wherein R 2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl groups, t-butyl groups, isopropyl groups, secondary butyl groups, and phenyl groups.

22. The mesogens of claim 16 wherein R 2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl groups, t-butyl groups, isopropyl groups, secondary butyl groups, and phenyl groups.

23. The mesogens of claim 17 wherein R 2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl groups, t-butyl groups, isopropyl groups, secondary butyl groups, and phenyl groups.

24. The mesogens of claim 19 wherein R 2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl groups, secondary butyl groups, and phenyl groups.

25. The mesogens of claim 23 wherein R 1 and R 3 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a methyl group.

26. The mesogens of claim 24 wherein R 1 and R 3 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a methyl group.

27. The mesogens of claim 13 wherein one or more members selected from the group consisting of X and Y is a cinnamoyloxy group.

28. The mesogens of claim 20 wherein one or moreo members selected from the group consisting of X and Y is a cinnamoyloxy group.

29. The mesogens of claim 24 wherein one or more members selected from the group consisting of X and Y is a cinnamoyloxy group.