The first family of (eta(6)-arene)tricarbonylchromium complexes containing thermotropic liquid crystals has been prepared and the mesomorphic properties studied. Enantiotropic smectic C and-nematic phases were observed. Comparison of their X-ray diffraction characteristics and liquid-crystalline behaviour with those of the metal-free analogues emphasized the influence of the organometallic unit on the mesophase features.