| abstract |
n optically active compound represented by the general formula (I) of: R-Z-COO-(Ph) k -Ph(Y)-CO-(CH 2 ) m C*HE L (I) In the general formula (I) R is an alkyl or alkoxy group having 4 to 22 carbon atoms;-Z is the one selected from the group consisting of -Ph-, -Ph(X)-, -Ph-Ph-, Ph(X)-Ph-, -Ph-cy-, -Ph(X)-cy- and -py-Ph-; -Ph- is a 1,4- substituted phenylene group; -Ph-Ph- is a 4,4'-substituted diphenylene group; -cy- is a trans-1,4-cyclohexane group, -py is 2.5-substituted pyrimidine group; X is a halogen atom at the ortho-position to R; k is zero or 1, Y is the one selected from the group consisting of H, OH, halogen atoms and methyl group; C* is an asymmetric carbon atom: E is the one selected from the group consisting of methyl group, halogen atoms and CF 3 ; L is an alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group having not more than 10 carbon atoms; and m is an integer of zero to 6 where m takes zero when Y is H and Z is -Ph- or -Ph-Ph-. The optically active compound is usable as an ingredient for a liquid crystal composition which has high spontaneous polarization, exhibits the Sc * phase (chiral smectic C liquid crystalline phase) in a wide temperature range and high speed response. |