Side-chain liquid-crystalline polymers [CH=C([CH 2 ] m OPhC 6 H 10 R)] n (m= 1,3,4,5; R= H, C 3 H 8 ) are synthesized by using Ziegler-Natta and metathesis catalysts. Through measurements of DSC and polarizing microscopy, the polymers prepared are found to show a smectic A liquid-crystalline phase with a fan-shaped texture. Characterizations of these polymers are also made in view of molecular weight, thermal isomerization of the cis to trans form, and enthalpy changes associated with phase transitions