Synthesis of RM734.

4-((4-Nitrophenoxy)carbonyl)phenyl 2,4-dimethoxybenzoate (RM734) is a rod-shaped mesogen first synthesized by Mandle et al. (10). It was reported to have an isotropic (I) phase and two additional phases with nematic character, with transition temperatures as follows: I – 187 °C – N – 133 °C – N_X – X. Our preparation gives transition temperatures as follows: I – 188 °C – N – 133 °C – N_F – X (14).