Non-symmetric liquid crystal dimer containing a carbohydrate-based moiety

► A novel non-symmetric liquid crystal dimer is reported containing a sugar moiety. ► The dimer shows glassy behaviour and a highly interdigitated smectic A phase. ► The hydrogen bonding does not show a marked change at either Tg or TSmAI. ► The smectic A-isotropic transition is driven by changes in van der Waals interactions. ► Hydrogen bonded aggregates persist into the isotropic phase.