Some molecules of unusual shape and apparently non-linear geometry, with three mesogenic arms tied directly to a central unit have been investigated for liquid-crystalline behaviour. They showed smectic liquid-crystalline mesophases, which were characterised by DSC, optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The temperature ranges of the fluid mesophases for the monotropic compounds were below 87.6 degrees C and for the thermotropic compound was above 142.1 degrees C. The phase for 1 appears to be smectic A.