| abstract |
A ferroelectric liquid crystal composition having a negative dielectric anisotropy, a good AC-stabilizing effect and still high-speed response properties, and a light switching element, are provided, which composition comprises a compound expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R 1 and R 2 each represent a linear or branched alkyl group, alkoxy group, alkanoyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group or alkanoyl group each of 1 to 18 carbon atoms; ##STR2## X 1 , X 2 and X 3 each represent hydrogen atom or halogen atom; P and Q each represent 0 or 1; and P+Q is 0 or 1. |