The mesomorphic properties of some homologs of 4-(4-alkoxyphenoxycarbonyl)phenyl 3-alkoxybenzoate (1), 3-alkoxy-4-methylbenzoate (2), and 3-alkoxy-2-methylbenzoate (3) were examined. Except the methoxy homolog, 1 are nonmesogenic, but 2 and 3 tend to exhibit a nematic phase. The nematic-isotropic transition temperature decreases in the order of 3 > 2 > 1. The unusual mesomorphic properties are discussed in terms of the conformational effect of the alkoxy group.