Six series of tolane-based fluorinated liquid crystals containing an acrylate linker were synthesized and their mesomorphic properties were characterized. The compounds generally exhibit SmA and N phases in wide temperature ranges. The introduction of acrylate linkers increases the clearing points by 20 degrees C-30 degrees C and suppresses the formation of higher ordered monotropic SmB phases. para-Fluorination is favorable for the mesophase stability, whereas meta-fluorination is not. The introduction of a 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenylene group decreases the clearing points and also suppresses the formation of the monotropic SmB phase.