Abstract: A method for selectively producing a monoaryl norbornene derivative represented by a formula (5) involves having a norbornadiene derivative represented by a formula (3) and a bromine compound represented by a formula (4) react with each other in the presence of a reducing agent, palladium and at least one selected from phosphorus compounds represented by the formulas (1) and (2), whereby the norbornene derivative represented by formula (5) having a monoaryl substituent is an exo configuration.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catalyst by suspending a titanium-containing silicate porous material in a solution with a metal salt being dissolved therein, and then by exposing the solution to ultra violet light to precipitate metal fine particles on the surface of the porous material.

Abstract: A reverse dispersion retardation film is formed by stretching a film containing a norbornene-based ring-opening copolymer containing a structural unit (A) represented by a general formula (1) and a structural unit (B) represented by a general formula (2), wherein a total amount of the structural unit (A) and an exo-form structural unit, among the structural units (B), is not less than 20 mol % but not more than 65 mol % of all the structural units.

Abstract: A reverse dispersion retardation film, formed by stretching a film comprising a norbornene-based ring-opening copolymer containing a structural unit (A) represented by the following general formula (1): [in the formula (1), m represents an integer of any one of 0 and 1, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or the like, X1 represents a group represented by a formula: —CH2CH2— or the like, a and b each independently represent an integer of 0 to 6, Y represents a methylene group or the like, and represents a methylene group or the like] and a structural unit (B) represented by the following general formula (2): [in the formula (2), n represents an integer of any one of 0 and 1, X2 represents a group represented by a formula: —CH2CH2— or the like, R2, R3, R4, and R5 each represent a hydrogen atom or the like, wavy lines d and e each represent a configuration of any one of an endo and an exo, and a wavy line f represents a configuration of any one of an endo and an exo], wherein a total amount of the structural u

Abstract: A retardation film, formed by stretching a film including a norbornene-based, ring-opening polymer containing a structural unit (A) represented by a formula (1), has high transparency, excellent wavelength dispersion characteristics in a single layer, is capable of providing specific retardation to broadband light, is extremely adhesive to other materials, is capable of attaining optical characteristics that are unique among negative birefringence characteristics, and is capable of providing a reverse dispersion of birefringence wavelength dispersion characteristics. The present invention also provides a liquid crystal display device using the foregoing film.

Abstract: A tungsten-containing mesoporous silica thin film, which is a mesoporous silica thin film formed from a solution containing a silica precursor and a water-soluble tungsten compound, and has a molar ratio (W/Si) of tungsten content to silicon content of 0.001 to 0.04, a film thickness of 0.1 to 5 ?m, and an average pore diameter of 20 nm or less.

Abstract: A method for producing a norbornene derivative wherein, in the presence of palladium and at least one selected from phosphorus compounds represented by the following General Formulae (1) and (2): [in Formula (1), R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or the like, and R5 and R6 each independently represent a branched chain saturated hydrocarbon group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms or the like], and [in Formula (2), R7 represents a branched chain saturated hydrocarbon group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms], a norbornadiene derivative represented by the following General Formula (3): [in Formula (3), R8, R9, R10, R11 and R12 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or the like, l represents an integer of 0 or 1, m represents an integer of 0 or 1, and n represents an integer of 0 or 1], and a bromine compound represented by the following General Formula (4): [Chemical Formula 4] Br—Z—R13??(4) [in Formula (4), Z represents a phenylene group or the like, and R13

Abstract: A retardation film, formed by stretching a film including a norbornene-based, ring-opening polymer containing a structural unit (A) represented by a formula (1), has high transparency, excellent wavelength dispersion characteristics in a single layer, is capable of providing specific retardation to broadband light, is extremely adhesive to other materials, is capable of attaining optical characteristics that are unique among negative birefringence characteristics, and is capable of providing a reverse dispersion of birefringence wavelength dispersion characteristics. The present invention also provides a liquid crystal display device using the foregoing film.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catalyst by suspending a titanium-containing silicate porous material in a solution with a metal salt being dissolved therein, and then by exposing the solution to ultra violet light to precipitate metal fine particles on the surface of the porous material.

Abstract: A main chain type liquid crystalline polyester comprises at least two units selected from aromatic diol units, aromtic dicarboxylic acid units, and aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid units as essential units and a structural unit containing a cationically polymerizable group selected from the group consisting of vinyloxy groups, epoxy groups, and oxetany groups in at least one of the terminal ends of the main chain.

Abstract: Provided is a main chain type liquid crystal polyester which comprises at least two units selected from an aromatic diol unit, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid unit, and an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid unit as essential units and a structural unit having a cationically polymerizable unit in at least one of the terminal ends. The main chain type liquid crystalline polyester, when used as an optical material, is excellent in the capability of retaining a liquid crystal orientation having been aligned and fixed under practical service conditions and exhibits an excellent mechanical strength.

Abstract: A high-quality optical compensator for use in liquid crystal display elements can be prepared from a film comprising an end unit modified liquid crystalline polymer which has a monofunctional structural unit and which exhibits an optically positive uniaxiality, and, as needed, a liquid crystalline polymer which has a logarithmic viscosity at least 0.01 dl/g higher than that of the end unit modified liquid crystalline polymer and a glass transition point at least 5° C. higher than that of the end unit modified liquid crystalline polymer and which exhibits an optically positive uniaxiality, wherein a nematic hybrid orientation which is formed in the liquid crystal state is immobilized.

Abstract: A novel optical film capable of readily vitrifying the tendency and state of liquid crystal alignment, excellent in the ability to retain the alignment state, and suitable for the application to optical elements. The film is produced from a liquid-crystal material containing as the essential ingredient a liquid-crystal polyester having structural units (A) and (B) as the essential unit, exhibiting a vitrified state at a temperature lower than the liquid-crystal transition point, and having a logarithmic viscosity number (&eegr;) of 0.04-0.4 dl/g as measured at 30° C. in a phenol/tetrachloroethane solvent (60/40 by weight), wherein each X represents independently O or C═O; each Y represents independently a group selected from among F, Cl, Br and 1-4C alkyls; and n is 0 or 1.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device having improved and broadened viewing angle characteristics. The device includes a liquid crystal cell of the twisted nematic type for driving sandwiched by a pair of upper and lower polarizing plates in which at least one compensating film is inserted between the liquid crystal cell and the upper polarizing plate or between the liquid crystal cell and the lower polarizing plate. Alternatively, two compensating films are respectively inserted between the liquid crystal cell and the upper polarizing plate and between the liquid crystal cell and the lower polarizing plate. The compensating film consists essentially of a liquid crystalline polymer showing optically a positive uniaxiality, the liquid crystalline polymer being fixed in a nematic hybrid orientational order.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a compensator for a liquid crystal display superior in the color compensating performance, capable of making color compensation of a high-speed STN-LCD and capable of freely changing the value of wavelength dispersion. The compensator is obtained by using a liquid crystalline polyester which contains 4-hydroxycinnamic acid units and catechol units as constituent units.

Abstract: Provided is a wholly aromatic polyester superior in melt processability and tenacity which consists essentially of the following structural units (A), (B) and (C) and wherein 0.2 to 40 mole % of the total of said units are of ortho configuration; ##STR1## where Ar.sup.1 and Ar.sup.2 each represent a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, the hydrogen atoms of said aromatic hydrocarbon group may be substituted with a halogen atom, an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or phenyl; Z is ##STR2## --O--, or --SO.sub.2 --; m is 0 or 1, at least 60 mole % of Ar.sup.1 being constituted by a group selected from 1,4-phenylene, substituted 1,4-phenylenes, naphthyl and 4,4'-biphenyl.