A number of anomalies have been reported in molten Bi, including a first-order liquid-liquid transition at 1010K and ambient pressure, which is irreversible at cooling rates of several degrees per minute. An interpretation of these effects as due to long-range orientational order is suggested. Significant evidence for directionality in liquid Bi, albeit only immediately after melting, is available in experiments made circa 1930. Further experimentation is called for.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1003.5369,
title = {Can elemental bismuth be a liquid crystal?},
author = {Nathan Argaman},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1003.5369},
year = {2010}
}