the invention relates to new polymerisable mesogenic or liquid crystalline compounds comprising a laterally substituted cinnamate group , to polymerisable mesogenic or liquid crystalline mixtures and anisotropic polymers prepared thereof , and to the use of the new compounds and the mixtures and polymers prepared thereof in optical and electrooptical devices , adhesives , synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties , cosmetics , diagnostics , liquid crystal pigments , decorative and security applications , nonlinear optics , optical information storage , electronic devices like organic field effect transistors , electroluminescent devices , or as chiral dopants .