| abstract |
Provided is a novel azo-type liquid crystalline compound that has a high degree of order. The liquid crystalline compound is represented by general formula (I) [wherein R 1 and R 2 are each hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, or a substituent represented by -L 2 -Y, with the proviso that both are not hydrogen; L 2 is alkylene wherein one CH 2 group or two or more CH 2 groups that are not adjacent may be replaced by -O- or the like; Y is hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkoxy, carboxyl, halogen, or a polymerizable group; L 1 s are each a connecting group selected from the group consisting of azo (-N=N-), carbonyloxy (-C(=O)O-), oxycarbonyl (-O-C(=O)-), imino (-N=CH-), and vinylene (-C=C-); and Dyes are each an azo dye residue represented by general formula (II)]. |