Abstract: Main chain thermotropic liquid crystal esters, ester-imides, and ester-amides were prepared from AA, BB, and AB type monomeric materials and were end-capped with phenylacetylene, phenylmaleimide, or nadimide reactive end-groups. The resulting reactive end-capped liquid crystal oligomers exhibit a variety of improved and preferred physical properties. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are thermotropic and have, preferably, molecular weights in the range of approximately 1000-15,000 grams per mole. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers have broad liquid crystalline melting ranges and exhibit high melt stability and very low melt viscosities at accessible temperatures. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are stable for up to an hour in the melt phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to liquid-crystalline compounds of the formula I and to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds, characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds of the general formula I in which R1, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, Z1, Z2, X, v and u are as defined in claim 1.

Abstract: A compound is of formula (I), in which: A1 to A4, E1 and E2 each independently represent hydrogen or an optionally-substituted hydrocarbon group; B1 and B2 each independently represent a single bond, an oxygen atom or an optionally-substituted hydrocarbon group; MG1 and MG2 each independently represent an optionally-substituted ring system; CG is a divalent or polyvalent chiral group. The optically active compound may be used as a doping agent for liquid crystals for a wide range of applications including solid state cholesteric filters for projection displays, circular polarisers, optical filters, etc.

Abstract: A compound or a polymer thereof promises an advantageous use for an ink-jet ink or a polymer dispersion liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A process for printing or coating a substrate with a liquid-crystalline composition and at least one non-liquid-crystalline print or coating as a multilayer and a substrate produced by this process is described. The liquid-crystalline composition contains at least one compound having two polymerizable groups and at least one compound having only one polymerizable group, and optional further additives. The non-liquid-crystalline print or coating contains one or more IR- or UV-absorbent or fluorescent dye or pigment. The process and the printed substrate are useful in producing counterfeiting-proof marking of articles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid crystalline medium, based on a mixture of polar compounds with a positive dielectric anisotropy. Said medium is characterised in that it contains one or more compounds of formula (I) wherein R, A1, A2, Z1, Z2, X1, X2, n and o are defined as per claim 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to photoisomerizable compounds of formula I wherein A, Z, L, R, R1, k, m and r are defined herein.

Abstract: An optically active compound of the general formula (1) useful as a chiral dopant and use thereof, wherein each of m and n is independently an integer of 4 to 8, A is —Ph—COO—Ph—, —Ph—Ph—COO—, —Cy—COO—Ph—, —Ph—OOC—Ph—COO—, —Ph—OOC—Cy—COO—, —Ph—OOC—Np—COO— or —Np—OOC— in which —Ph— is a 1,4-phenylene group, —Cy— is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group and —Np— is a 2,6-naphtylene group, and C* is an asymmetric carbon atom. Having a helical twisting power (HTP) of at least 9 and having a property that the helical pitch induced decreases with an increase in temperature, the optically active compound of the present invention has an excellent value as a chiral dopant for a nematic liquid crystal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrooptical liquid crystal display comprising a reorientation layer for reorientation of the liquid crystals. The field of said reorientation layer has a component parallel to the liquid crystal layer, said component being crucial for the reorientation. Said component comprises a liquid-crystalline medium having a positive dielectric anisotropy and contains at least one mesogenic compound of the formula (I), wherein R1 and L are delined as in claim 1.

Abstract: An optically active compound of the following general formula (1), wherein A is —C≡C— or —COO—, each of R1 and R2 is independently CnH2n+1—, (C2H5)2CHCH2C*H(CH3)OOC—, CmH2m+1C*H(CH3)OOC— or C6H5C*H(CH3)OOC— in which n is an integer of 2 to 5, m is an integer of 5 to 9, C6H5— is phenyl group, and C* is an asymmetric carbon, provided that there is no case where R1 and R2 are together CnH2n+1— or C6H5C*H(CH3)OOC— and that when both R1 and R2 are CmH2m+1C*H(CH3)OOC—, m in CmH2m+1C*H(CH3)OOC— represented by R1 and m in CmH2m+1C*H(CH3)OOC— represented by R2 may be different integers. The optically active compound of the present invention is excellently valuable as a chiral dopant since it has properties that its helical twisting power (HTP) is at least 9, that a helical pitch induced decreases with an increase in temperature and further that its birefringence (&Dgr;n) is large.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymerizable liquid-crystalline compounds of the general formula (I) where A1 and A2 are identical or different and are each a crosslinkable group; the radicals X are identical or different and are each a single bond, —O—, —S—, —C═N—, —O—CO—, —CO—O—, —O—CO—O—, —CO—NR—, —NR—CO—, —NR—, —O—CO—NR, —NR—CO—O—, —CH2—O— or —NR—CO—NR, in which R is H or C1-C4-alkyl; and M is a mesogenic group, a process for their preparation and their use for preparing cholesteric phases.

Abstract: Compounds useful as components of LC and FLC compositions which in turn are useful in the manufacture of optical devices. Compounds of this invention have a silane tail, which can contain more than one Si. Compounds of this invention can include those with disilane tails. The invention provides LC compositions containing one or more of the silanes of this invention. Addition of one or more of the compounds of this invention to LC compositions can result in significant improvement in optical or LC properties. In particular, the compounds of this invention can significantly lower the melting point, freezing point or both of an LC composition resulting in significant improvement in device stability.

Abstract: Compounds that are useful as components in liquid crystal compositions, particularly in ferroelectric liquid crystal compositions. Compounds of the invention are rod-like molecules with a mesogenic (generally linear) core to which an alkene tail and an alkyl or alkoxy tail with a perfluoroalkyl terminal portion are bonded. Compounds of the invention can contain a variety of one, two or three ring cores, wherein the rings maybe aromatic or alicyclic. Alkenes of the invention are useful as components to improve LC properties of mixtures, for example, to lower melting point of lower freezing point, of LC compositions.

Abstract: Liquid crystal compositions which comprise as a first component at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the formula (I) and as a second component at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the formula (II), the content of the first component being not less than 30% by weight based on the total weight of the composition wherein R1 and R3 are independently an alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms and any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH—; R2 is an alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, —F or —Cl; X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8 and X10 are independently —F or —H; X9 is —F, —Cl, —CF3, —OCF3 or —OCF2H; A1 and A2 are independently 1,4-cyclohexylene, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl or 1,4-phenylene in which any —H may be replaced by —F; Z1 and Z3 are independently a single bond, —(CH2)2— or —(CH2)4—; Z2 is a single

Abstract: An aromatic dicarboxylic acid composition, essentially consisting of (a) at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid; (b) 1-3000 ppm of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 6-formyl-2-naphthoic acid, 6-methoxycarbonyl-2-naphthoic acid and trimellitic acid; (c) 1-1000 ppm of at least one alkali metal and (d) 0-3000 ppm of at least one transition metal is provided. By employing the composition in manufacturing liquid crystalline polyester, LPCs with good coloring property and improved heat resistance as well as excellent mechanical property can be obtained. The present invention also provides a liquid crystalline polyester resin prepared by using the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provide a liquid crystalline polyester that can be used in production of a molded article having sufficient mechanical strengths in which the melted liquid crystalline polyester has sufficient fluidity in thin-walled portions when the thin-walled molded article is manufactured, and to provide a method for producing the liquid crystalline polyester. A liquid crystalline polyester obtained by copolymerizing 4-acyloxybenzoic acids (I) and 2-acyloxy-6-naphthoic acids (II) in the presence of an imidazole (V) can be used in production of a molded article in which the melted liquid crystalline polyester has sufficient fluidity in thin-walled portions when the thin-walled molded article is manufactured, and which has sufficient mechanical strengths as well, thereby completing the present invention.

Abstract: A polymeric compound has a hexagonal system order (as its crystal system) in a higher order smectic phase, such as smectic B phase, smectic L phase, smectic E phase, etc. The polymeric compound is produced through polymerization of a liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable functional group, such as an acrylic group or a methacrylic group, in a state of assuming a hexagonal system order. An electronic device, preferably an electroluminescence device, using a layer of the polymeric compound disposed between a pair of electrodes exhibits good luminescence and carrier transport performances while retaining excellent reliability.

Abstract: The invention relates to energy-saving liquid-crystalline media, in particular in twisted nematic (TN) and supertwisted nematic (STN) liquid-crystal displays, having very short response times and good steepnesses and angle dependences, and to electro-optical display devices containing these media and to the use of these media in electro-optical display devices, where the media comprise:

Abstract: An optically active compound of the following general formula (1) useful as a chiral dopant, and use thereof, wherein each of X and Y is independently a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, R is (C2H5)2CHCH2C*H(CH3)— or Ph—C*H(CH3)—, A is —Ph(W)—COO—Ph—, —Ph—Ph—COO—, —Cy—COO—Ph—, —Ph(W)—OOC—Ph—COO—, —Ph(W)—OOC—Cy—COO—, —Ph(W)—OOC—Np—COO— or —Np—OOC—, in which Ph— is a phenyl group, —Ph— is a 1,4-phenylene group, —Ph(W)— is —Ph— or monofluoro substituted —Ph—, Cy— is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group and —Np— is a 2,6-naphthylene group, and C* is an asymmetric carbon.

Abstract: It is to provide a liquid crystal composition containing at least one type of optically active compounds of the following formulae (1) to (4), and a liquid crystal electro-optical element excellent in display quality. In each formula, C* is asymmetric carbon, and the respective symbols are as defined in description.

Abstract: The invention relates to liquid-crystalline compounds of the formula I and to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds, characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds of the general formula I 1

Abstract: An organic single-crystalline film usable as a functional film in various devices is produced by selecting a liquid crystal material having a good molecular alignment regularity, disposing the liquid crystal material between a pair of boundaries exerting a thickness regulating force and solidifying the liquid crystal material while imparting a molecular alignment order by phase transition from a liquid crystal phase. The liquid crystal material may preferably be a smectic liquid crystal material which provides a uniform molecular alignment inclusive of the direction of molecular long axis in a smectic phase.

Abstract: Liquid-crystalline compositions containing, as components, A) at least one compound of the formula I Z1—Y1—A1—Y3—M—Y4—A2—Y2—Z2  (I),  where Z1 and Z2 are each a reactive group, Y1 to Y4 are each a linking unit, A1 and A2 are each a spacer and M is a mesogenic group, B) at least one reactive compound selected from b1) vinyl or allyl ethers, b2) vinyl or allyl esters of saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acids, b3) methacrylic or acrylic esters of monofunctional or polyfunctional alcohols, b4) polyester (meth)acrylates, b5) vinylaromatics or vinylheteroaromatics, and b6) compounds of the general formula II CH2═CH—NR2—R1  (II), in which R1 and R2 are as defined in detail in the description, and C) if desired further additives.

Abstract: Silicon compounds having a low viscosity and a low threshold voltage and improved mutual solubility, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same and a liquid crystal display using the liquid crystal composition. The silicon compound is represented by formula (1): wherein Y1 is, for example, alkylene having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, Y2 is, for example, hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —C≡C—CN, or alkyl having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; A1, A2, A3, and A4 each are, for example, independently 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-cyclohexenylene, 1,4-phenylene, or 1,4-phenylene; Z1, Z2 and Z3 each are independently a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —OCH2—, —CH2O—, —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —(CH2)4—, —O(CH2)3—, —(CH2)3O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCF2—, or —CF2O—; and p and q each are independently 0 or 1.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymerizable liquid-crystalline compounds of the general formula (I) where A1 and A2 are identical or different and are each a crosslinkable group; the radicals X are identical or different and are each a single bond, —O—, —S—, —C═N—, —O—CO—, —CO—O—, —O—CO—O—, —CO—NR—, —NR—CO—, —NR—, —O—CO—NR, —NR—CO—O—, —CH2—O— or —NR—CO—NR, in which R is H or C1-C4-alkyl; and M is a mesogenic group, a process for their preparation and their use for preparing cholesteric phases.

Abstract: There are disclosed amphoteric nano-sized metal oxide particles functionalized with silyl esters of a phosphonate and composites thereof with an acrylate-based monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Also disclosed are the method making such functionalized particular by reacting a metal oxide with a silyl ester of a phosphonate in the presence of a non-aqueous solvent and in an inert atmosphere and the method of making the composites wherein the functionalized particles are admixed with an acrylate-based matrix monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Further disclosed is the method of dental repair wherein the composites are applied to a tooth and photopolymerized.

Abstract: There are disclosed amphoteric nano-sized metal oxide particles functionalized with silyl esters of a phosphonate and composites thereof with an acrylate-based monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Also disclosed are the method making such functionalized particular by reacting a metal oxide with a silyl ester of a phosphonate in the presence of a non-aqueous solvent and in an inert atmosphere and the method of making the composites wherein the functionalized particles are admixed with an acrylate-based matrix monomer, including liquid crystal monomers photopolymerizable at ambient temperature. Further disclosed is the method of dental repair wherein the composites are applied to a tooth and photopolymerized.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprising tilted smectic phases of banana-shaped liquid crystal molecules is disclosed. A method for fabricating a light modulating device is also disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a pair of substrates with a cell gap therebetween and permanently disposing at least one banana-shaped liquid crystal material into said cell gap. The present invention also provides a method of generating an image, comprising providing a pair of substrates with a cell gap therebetween, providing transparent electrodes on each of the substrates adjacent to the cell gap, disposing at least one banana-shaped liquid crystal material into the cell gap; and applying an electric field across the electrodes. The tilted smectic phases of banana-shaped liquid crystal may be in either a racemic or a chiral state.

Abstract: A method of increasing helical twisting power (HTP) in an optically active compound used in a liquid crystal material is provided. An optically active compound which exhibits a large HTP value is also provided. Furthermore, a liquid crystal composition which exhibits a high upper temperature limit of the liquid crystal after the addition of the optically active compound, and a liquid crystal display device using the same are provided. In a method, an HTP of a compound having a partial structure represented by formula (A), which has an asymmetric carbon atom, is increased by replacing the partial structure represented by formula (A) by a partial structure represented by formula (B).

Abstract: Liquid crystalline compounds suitable for driving at a low voltage and at a wide temperature range, and suitable for high speed response, liquid crystal compositions comprising the compound, and liquid crystal display devices comprising the liquid crystal composition. The crystalline compounds are ester compounds expressed by the general formula (1) wherein R1 represents e.g. a hydrogen atom; A1 to A5 each independently represent e.g. 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene, 1-cyclohexene-1,4-diyl, 3-cyclohexene-1,4-diyl, 1-sila-1,4-cyclohexylene, or 4-sila-1,4-cyclohexylene; bonding groups Za to Zd each independently represent e.g. a single bond, —CH2—, —O—, —C≡C—, or an alkylene group or alkenylene group having 2 to 4 carbon; bonding group Ze represents e.g.

Abstract: To improve switching times, especially at low temperatures, one or more reactive liquid crystalline compounds is added to a liquid crystal mixture used in an electroptical system. The electroptical system comprises a PDLC film comprising a liquid crystal mixture forming micro-droplets in an optically isotropic, transparent polymer matrix between 2 electrode layers. The liquid crystal mixture comprises one or more compounds of the formula I wherein R, A1, A2, Z1, Z2, X1, X2, Q, Y and n are as defined herein.

Abstract: Optically active compounds of the following general formula (1) useful as chiral dopant, wherein n is an integer of 0 to 5, provided that when n is 0, A is a single bond (—) and that when n is 1 to 5, A is a single bond (—), —O—, —COO—, —Cy— or —Cy—COO— in which —Cy— is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group, each of X and Y is independently a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, B is a single bond (—), —COO—, —COO—Ph— or —Ph—COO— in which —Ph— is a 1,4-phenylene group, and C* is an asymmetric carbon. The chiral dopant of the present invention have a high helical twisting power of at least 9 and suitably have a feature that the helical pitch induced by them decreases in length with an increase in temperature so that they are advantageous for use in a nematic liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device containing a liquid crystal cell and at least one reflective polarizer or a polarizer combination having at least one reflective polarizer as a means to generate circular polarized light. The reflective polarizer includes an optically active layer of an anisotropic polymer material with a helically twisted planar molecular orientation. The material is oriented so that the axis of the molecular helix extends transversely to the layer, and the pitch of the molecular helix is varied in such a manner that the difference between the maximum pitch and the minimum pitch is at least 100 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermochromic liquid crystalline medium comprising a liquid crystalline host component and an active component, to a thermochromic ink comprising such a thermochromic liquid crystalline medium encapsulated in a light transmissive polymeric material, to the use of a thermochromic medium or ink in decorative applications like pigments, inks and paints, cosmetics, thermodiagnostic applications like medical thermography, thermometry, optical and electrooptical applications, and security applications and devices, to a security marking or device comprising a thermochromic liquid crystalline medium or thermochromic ink and to a document of value comprising such a security marking.

Abstract: A process for producing an aromatic monomer for synthesizing a self-doped conductive polymer, the process comprising: introducing an alkoxysulfonic acid group as a self-doping group to a benzene or naphthalene derivative having a hydroxyl group bonded to an aromatic ring thereof by alkanesulfonation of the hydroxyl group; protecting the self-doping group by converting to an acid halide form by sulfonyl halogenation; and introducing two chloromethyl groups as a polymerizable groups into the aromatic ring.

Abstract: A wholly aromatic liquid crystalline polyester resin composition comprising about 97-60 parts by weight of a wholly aromatic polyester resin (A) having melting peak determined by DSC equal to or higher than 310° C.; and about 3-40 parts by weight of a wholly aromatic polyester resin (B) having melting peak determined by DSC equal to or lower than 300° C. is provided. The novel liquid crystalline polyester resin composition of the present invention exhibits an improved melt flowability and can provide a molded article having reflow-soldering heat resistance.

Abstract: A liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds having positive dielectric anisotropy, characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds of the general formula I 1

Abstract: A liquid crystal composite material for use in a liquid crystal layer of a liquid crystal display device having a pair of substrates with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, and an electrode structure for generating an electric field having a component predominantly in parallel with one of said pair of substrates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium comprising a mixture of at least two compounds of the general formula (I)

Abstract: The present invention relates to chiral 1,3-dioxane compounds and diastereomers thereof of the general formula I where R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in the description, and the use of these compounds as chiral dopants for liquid-crystalline systems. The invention further relates to non-polymerizable or polymerizable liquid-crystalline compositions comprising at least one chiral 1,3-dioxane compound of the formula (I) of the invention, the use of these non-polymerizable or polymerizable liquid-crystalline compositions for producing optical components, the use of the polymerizable liquid-crystalline compositions for printing or coating substrates, for preparing dispersions and emulsions, films or pigments and optical components, printed or coated substrates, dispersions and emulsions, films and pigments of this type.

Abstract: A glass-forming liquid crystal composition comprises a compound having a molecular weight in the range of about 1000 to 5000 grams per mole and having the formula

Abstract: A polymerizable liquid crystal compound is represented by the formula (I): Q1—L1—Cy1—(CH═CH)n—CO—NR1—Cy2—L2—Q2  (I) in which each of Q1 and Q2 independently is a polymerizable group; each of L1 and L2 independently is a divalent linking group; each of Cy1 and Cy2 independently is a divalent cyclic group; R1 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms; and n is 0 or 1.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline media comprising a dielectrically positive component A, comprising compounds of formula I 1

Abstract: Disclosed is a chiral nematic liquid crystal composition including a nematic liquid crystal composition and a chiral agent. The nematic liquid crystal composition comprises at least one type of liquid crystal ester compound including an ester unit and at least two fluorine atoms therein; and at least one type of liquid crystal tolan compound including a tolan unit therein. By selecting these liquid crystal compounds, a chiral nematic liquid crystal composition having a broad temperature compensation range and a low drive voltage can be realized.

Abstract: The invention relates to nematic liquid-crystal compositions comprising bisalkenyl compounds of the formula I 1

Abstract: A liquid-crystalline mixture that contains one or more compounds of each of the formulae IA, IB and IC 1

Abstract: An optically active compound of the general formula (1) useful as a chiral dopant and use thereof, 1

Abstract: The present invention provide a liquid crystalline polyester that can be used in production of a molded article having sufficient mechanical strengths in which the melted liquid crystalline polyester has sufficient fluidity in thin-walled portions when the thin-walled molded article is manufactured, and to provide a method for producing the liquid crystalline polyester. A liquid crystalline polyester obtained by copolymerizing 4-acyloxybenzoic acids (I) and 2-acyloxy-6-naphthoic acids (II) in the presence of an imidazole (V) can be used in production of a molded article in which the melted liquid crystalline polyester has sufficient fluidity in thin-walled portions when the thin-walled molded article is manufactured, and which has sufficient mechanical strengths as well, thereby completing the present invention.

Abstract: A polymerizable compound represented by formula (I): wherein Q1 and Q2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; p and q each independently represent an integer of 2 to 18; X1 and X2 each independently represent a single bond, —O—, —COO— or —OCO—; L1 represents —COO— or —OCO—; L2 represents —CH2CH2COO— or —CH2CH2OCO—; and Y1, Y2 and Y3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, an alkanoyl group having 2 to 7 carbon atoms, a cyano group or a halogen atom. Also disclosed are a polymerizable liquid crystal composition containing the compound, and an optically anisotropic medium produced from the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-optical liquid-crystal display having a realignment layer for realignment of the liquid crystals whose field has a component, which is crucial for the realignment, parallel to the liquid-crystal layer, containing a liquid-crystalline medium of positive dielectric anisotropy, where the medium comprises at least one mesogenic compound of the formula I: in which R1 and L are defined herein.