Liquid-crystalline polyesters with solubilizing side chains on aromatic rings have been synthesized by melt polycondensation of diacid dichlorides and silylated hydroquinones. Corresponding copolyesters incorporated with lactide units were obtained by addition of oligolactides. The molecular structures of these polymers were verified by spectroscopy techniques. Molecular weights were characterized by gel permeation chromatography. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed that all polyesters are partially crystalline and have self-organized ordered stacking structures. The polyesters can form smectic melts upon heating above the melting temperature. Contact angle measurements and water absorption data of solution cast films showed that the polyesters have relatively high hydrophilicity and decreasing contact angle with increasing amount of lactide moieties. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.