The synthesis of substituted 2-phenyl-benzoxazoles has been accomplished by ring closure of Schiff bases. The compounds have been used as precursors of acrylic derivatives displaying LC properties : GRAPHICS R(1) = NO2, CN; R(2) = -OOC-pC(6)H(4)-O(CH2)(6)OOCCH = CH2; R(1) = -OOC-pC(6)H(4)-O(CH2)(6)OOCCH = CH2, -N(CH3)(CH2)(6)OOCCH = CH2; R(2) = NO2 Four comb-like homopolymers have been obtained by radical catalysis from the acrylic monomers. The polymers have been characterized by H-1-NMR, DSC, x-ray diffraction, viscometry, and polarizing microscopy. Three of the polymers exhibit liquid crystalline properties of smectic type.