The present invention relates to novel fluorinated acrylate and methacrylate ester monomers and homopolymers and copolymers thereof. In another aspect, it relates to a process for preparing monomers of the invention. Homopolymers and copolymers of the invention have units which correspond to the following general chemical formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, halo, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl or haloalkyl group, or a C.sub.6 to C.sub.10 aryl group,W is --O-- or --NR.sup.1 --, wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl group,X is a carbon-to-carbon single bond or a spacer group,Y is a mesogenic group, andZ is a fluorinated alkyl group.The novel monomers and polymers can be liquid crystals.