Non-optically active, liquid crystalline compounds capable of acting as a base material for ferroelectric liquid crystal compositions, have the formula:
wherein R¹ is a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl or alkoxy group and R² is a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl group.
A smectic C liquid crystal mixture having a broad smectic C phase temperature range including room temperature, a ferroelectric smectic C liquid crystal mixture having a large spontaneous polarization, comprising the above smectic C mixture and at least one optically active compound, and a liquid crystal display element having an improved response time, containing the above ferroelectric smectic C liquid crystal mixture are provided, which smectic C liquid crystal mixture comprises (1) at least two components at least one of which is a pyrimidine compound expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a linear alkyl group of 4 to 20 carbon atoms and R.sup.2 represents a linear alkyl group having 7-20 carbons and having a smectic C phase; (2) at least one pyrimidine compound of the formula (I) and at least one pyrimidine compound expressed by the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.3 represents a linear alkyl group of 6 to 12 carbon atoms and R.sup.4 represents a linear alkyl group having 8 to 11 carbons and having a smectic C phase; or (3) at least one pyrimidine compound of the formula (I) and at least one biphenylpyrimidine compound expressed by the formula ##STR3## wherein R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 each are a linear alkyl or alkoxy group each having 1-18 carbons.
A novel smectic C liquid crystal compound useful as a component of ferroelectric liquid crystal materials capable of effecting high-speed response is provided, which compound is a smectic liquid crystalline 5-alkoxy-2-(4-alkylphenyl)pyrimidine compound expressed by the formula
wherein R¹ represents a linear alkyl group of 4 to 20 carbon atoms and R² represents a linear alkyl group of 7 to 20 carbon atoms.
Optically active compound, liquid crystal composition containing same, liquid crystal device, display apparatus and display method
申请人:CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
公开号:EP0611119A2
公开(公告)日:1994-08-17
An optically active compound of the formula (I) according to Claim 1 is suitable as a component for a liquid crystal composition providing improved response speed. The optically active compound of the formula (I) is characterized by having a fluorine-substituted optically active cite and
group connected by 1 - 6 methylene group. The above liquid crystal composition is useful as an element of a liquid crystal device and a display apparatus providing a good display characteristics.