| abstract |
An optically active compound derived from a novel trifluorolactic acid, useful as a component of a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition, and a liquid crystal composition. A compound represented by general formula (I), wherein R¹ represents C₁ to C₁₈ alkyl, alkoxy, C₂ to C₁₈ alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy or alkoxycarbonyl; R² represents optionally alkoxy-substituted alkyl (where the total number of the carbon atoms is 1 to 15); A, B and C represent each independently the group (a) or (b); v and w represent each independently -COO-, -OCO-, -CH₂O-, -OCH₂-, -CH₂-CH₂-, - CH=CH-, -C=C- or a single bond; and x and y together represent any of the following combinations: -OCH₂- and - O-; -OCH₂- and -OCO-; -OCH₂- and -OCOO-; -OCO- and -O-; -OCO- and -OCO-; -OCO- and -OCOO-; -COO- and -COO-; -COO-and -CO-; -COO- and -CH₂O-; -COO- and -CH₂OCO-; -COO- and -CH₂OCOO-; -COOCH₂- and -O-; -COOCH₂- and - OCO-; -COOCH₂- and -OCOO-; -O- and -CH₂O-; -O- and -CH₂OCO-; and -O- and -CH₂OCOO-. |