Abstract: A chelating composition containing an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid of the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein A is an imino group or an oxygen atom, R is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group, and n is 0 or 1, or the salt thereof and sugar or saccharic acid of 4 to 12 carbon atoms at such a ratio as enables the components to manifest synergistic effects is provided. This chelating composition is capable of effectively sequestering a metal ion and preventing the metal ion from being insolubilized without causing pollution of the environment.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal electro-optical device comprises a pair of plates having driving electrodes and ferroelectric liquid crystal material having a negative dielectric anisotropy. The ferroelectric liquid crystal material comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition 10 to 80% by weight of a compound of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a straight-chain alkyl or alkoxy group, or an alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl or acyloxy group each having an asymmetric carbon atom, and R.sub.2 represents a straight-chain alkyl group having an assymmetric carbon.

Abstract: A liquid crystal element has a pair of opposed substrates, electrodes thereon, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal sealed between the substrates. A film of a conductive organic compound or a mixture of a conductive organic compound and another organic compound is disposed on the substrate surface, optionally via an orienting film. The conductive organic compound is typically a charge-transfer complex. The film may be formed by an LB method, coating, vapor phase polymerization or electrolytic polymerization. The element has improved optical bistability, contrast, and response.

Abstract: An optically active liquid crystal compound which is represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represents an alkyl or aralkyl group of 4-18 carbon atoms, R.sub.3 represents a haloalkyl group, X represents O, COO, OCO, CO or a single bond, Y represents COO, OCO, CH.sub.2 O or OCH.sub.2, Z represents COO or O, (A) represents a cyclic group shown by ##STR2## (B) represents a cyclic group shown by ##STR3## and l shows that the cyclic groups are substituted by at least one halogen atom.

Abstract: The present invention is an optically active liquid crystal compound shown in the following general formula; ##STR1## [wherein, A and B respectively show one of --, --O--, ##STR2## (-- shows direct bond), one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 shows direct chain alkyl group and the other one shows either alkyl group having asymmetric carbon atom or alkoxy alkyl group having asymmetric carbon atom and ether bonding. Also, onto the asymmetric carbon atom, one of the groups --CH.sub.3, --CN, --Cl is added.]It is clear that there are many compounds in these liquid crystal compounds, that show Sm C* phase in a wide temperature range close to room temperature and that have high response speed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal compound represented by the following general formula:R*O--A--R or R*COO--A--Rwherein R* stands for an alkyl group having an asymmetric carbon atom, R stands for a linear alkyl group, and A stands for ##STR1##

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition comprising at least one optically active liquid crystal compound represented by the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.2 stands for a linear alkyl group and R.sub.1 * stands for an alkoxy or acyloxy group having an asymmetric carbon atom,and at least one optically active liquid crystal compound represented by the following general formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.3 * stands for an alkyl group having an asymmetric carbon atom and R.sub.4 stands for a linear alkyl group.

Abstract: A liquid crystal compound represented by the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein m is a number from 0 to 10, n is a number from 5 to 14, and C having an asterisk indicates an asymmetric carbon atom.