Compared to RM734, compound 1 has an additional OMe group in the 6-position and this sees a significant increase in the melting point and the total loss of mesogenic behaviour. Contrast this with the removal of the terminal methoxy group (4-position) of RM734; this gives compound 2 material, which exhibits a direct NF-Iso transition (albeit with an onset below that of the parent material) as well as a small reduction in melting point. This suggests that, whilst a terminal chain is beneficial for 'classical' non-polar nematics, it is not a requirement for the polar NF phase; and indeed the deleterious effect of long terminal chains on the stability of the NF phase is well known. Crudely put, this reflects the origins of the NF phase being in electrostatic (dipole-dipole) forces, whereas the conventional nematics result from shape anisotropy.