We have synthesised a new class of compounds incorporating a trifluoromethyl group in the terminal alkoxy or alkenyloxy chain. Compounds containing several aromatic rings were synthesised with a view to producing compounds of high birefringence. This also included the synthesis of compounds containing a carbon-carbon triple bond. Compounds with three 1,4-disubstituted rings were synthesised in order to produce materials with a high nematic clearing point and as low a melting point as possible. Laterally fluoro-substituted compounds were prepared to generate a high positive value of the dielectric anisotropy, a low melting point and no smectic mesophases. Substances containing a cyclohexyl ring, which tend to induce a lower viscosity and compounds incorporating a bicyclo[2.2.2]octane ring were also synthesised in order to produce a high nematic clearing point and to influence the elastic constants. The (E)-trifluorobut-2-enyloxy-compounds were prepared in attempts to produce compounds with appropriate elastic constants and a high birefringence.