A novel liquid crystal compound represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## (wherein R is a straight or branched alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R* is an optically active alkyl group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, X is a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom, and n is 1 or 2), a liquid crystal composition containing at least one liquid crystal compound of the general formula (I), a chiral smectic liquid crystal composition containing at least one liquid crystal compound of the general formula (I), and an optical switching element utilizing the chiral smectic liquid crystal composition containing at least one liquid crystal compound of the general formula (I) are described.
本发明涉及一种新型液晶化合物,其通式表示为(I):##STR1##(其中R是1至20个碳原子的直链或支链烷基或烷氧基,R*是4至20个碳原子的手性烷基,X是
氟原子或
氯原子,n为1或2),一种含有至少一种通式(I)液晶化合物的液晶组合物,一种含有至少一种通式(I)液晶化合物的手性液晶组合物以及利用含有至少一种通式(I)液晶化合物的手性液晶组合物的光学开关元件。