A new variety of side chain liquid crystal polymers. The macromolecules of these materials are comb-shaped and differ from conventional side-chain liquid crystal polymers in that the comb's teeth are longer and semi flexible. The oligomeric side chains contain a long flexible spacer not only at their junction with the backbone but also in the center of the mesogen. Specific features of the systems include monosubstitution of enantiotopic protons in the central spacer by a cyano group and a long alkoxy tail at the terminus. An unusual property of these materials is a lower liquid crystal-isotropic transition temperature relative to that of their monomeric precursors.