Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of bis ester derivatives of coumarin containing chalcone linkage

•Study of bis ester derivatives for mesomorphic and photophysical properties.•Compounds were studied by DSC and POM analyses.•Compounds with lower alkyl chains showed nematic mesophase.•Compound 11a showed god absorbance and fluorescence activity. Bis ester derivatives of coumarin containing chalcone linkage with various terminal alkoxy groups were designed, synthesized and characterized. Compounds 11a-m were studied for their mesomorphic properties using polarizing optical microscope & differential scanning calorimetry and photophysical properties using UV-vis & fluorescence spectroscopy. In this particular homologous series, compounds having lower flexible alkoxy chains showed very good mesogenic property with nematic mesophase formation, while analogues with higher chains failed to show any liquid crystalline property. Compound 11a with methoxy group showed very good absorbance and fluorescence as compared to higher chain length analogues.