A series of novel heterocyclic esters has been prepared based on selenophene, thiophene and furan units; for comparison the parent, phenyl analogue was also prepared. All the materials except the least linear furan analogue are mesogenic and exhibit the S-A, S-C*, S-C*ferri and S-C*anti liquid crystalline phases. In addition, the selenophene material exhibits a higher ordered antiferroelectric phase which has been designated the antiferroelectric smectic I (S-I*anti) phase and below this the S-I* phase was generated. The synthesis, mesomorphic behaviour and physical properties of the materials are reported.