Series of nonsymmetric 4-ethyl- and 4-fluoroanilinebenzylidene-2 ',4 '-oxy-bis(4 ''-halogenoanilinebenzylidene-4 ''' oxy)alkanes trimers have been synthesized and characterized. Every member in this series possesses either Cl or Br terminal atoms. The molecular structure of these novel trimers is composed of six aromatic rings interconnected via two methylene spacers and three azomethine linking groups. In each molecule, the two identical methylene spacers vary from either C(4)H(8) or C(6)H(12). The trimers exhibit relatively low T(m) and T(c) (160 degrees C). Three of the homologues with ethyl group are glassy nematic liquid crystals with T(g) < 15 degrees C. The low transition temperatures are attributed to the branched molecular architecture which leads to steric hindrance and lesser degree of lateral intermolecular attraction. The liquid crystallinity of the intermediary aldehydes is also investigated.