Abstract A series of ferrocenyl Schiff base derivatives was synthesized by condensation reactions of 1,1′-ferrocenedicarboxaldehyde and aromatic amines containing long chain alkyl groups as free ends which were characterized by their physical properties, elemental, FTIR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR spectral and thermal analysis. The thermal behaviour of the synthesized compounds was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) which revealed that these compounds may exhibit mesomorphic properties. The DSC results of aromatic amines and ferrocenyl Schiff bases were compared to study the effects of structure, i.e. rigid core and terminal chain length, on the phase transition behaviour.