New symmetric/unsymmetrical self-assembling salicylaldimine-chalcones: Synthesis, photophysical study and DFT approach

•Chalcone derived salicylaldimine mesogens have been synthesized and investigated for their self-assembling behaviour.•New compounds reveal nematic as well as SmC mesophase.•Photophysical study as well as DFT computational investigations have been carried out for new molecules.•The mesomorphic behaviour of compounds has been compared to known compounds with similar structural properties.•The impact of an extra chalcone unit, an alkyloxy chain at each end, and the addition of a lateral hydroxyl group have all been investigated.