Abstract: A novel liquid crystal compound suitable to use as a component of liquid crystal dielectrics and a liquid crystal composition containing the same are provided, which compound is a dihalogeno-aromatic compound expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group, each of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or an alkoxymethyl group of 2 to 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Certain novel aryl sulfonyl fluorides, their preparation, and their use in inhibiting serine proteases with chymotrypsin-like and elastase-like specificity.

Abstract: Novel chiral smectic ester compounds suitable for a display mode utilizing ferroelectric liquid crystals, and liquid crystal compositions containing the same are provided, which compounds are expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms; R* represents an optically active alkyl group of 4 to 18 carbon atoms; X represents either one of a single bond, --O-- ##STR2## A represents ##STR3## and m and n each is 1 or 2.

Abstract: The invention is a composition which comprises a nitrogen-containing coordination compound copper hydrocarbyloxy halide complex supported on activated carbon. This composition is useful as a catalyst for the preparation of dihydrocarbyl carbonates from alcohols, carbon monoxide and oxygen.

Abstract: This invention is a process for the preparation of a symmetrical or unsymmetrical dihydrocarbyl carbonate which comprises contacting an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or di(aryl-substituted aliphatic) alcohol or mixtures thereof with carbon monoxide and oxygen in the presence of a catalytic amount of bis((2,4-pentanedianato)copper (II) methoxide) and a cocatalytic amount of a basic nitrogen-containing coordination compound under conditions such that a symmetrical or unsymmetrical dihydrocarbyl carbonate is prepared.

Abstract: Novel ferroelectric liquid crystalline compounds having a superior stability and chiral, smectic liquid crystalline compositions containing at least one kind of the same are provided, which compounds are expressed by the general formula ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## represents 1,4-phenylene group ##STR3## or 1,4-trans-cyclohexane group ##STR4## R*, an optically active alkyl group; m=o, 1 or 2; n=1 or 2; X, a linear chain or branched alkyl group or alkoxy group, each having 1 to 18 carbon atoms; and when ##STR5## represents ##STR6## m=1; and n=1, X represents a linear chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a linear chain alkoxy group having 11 to 18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Novel terphenyls having a relatively high clearing point and which are suitable for use in liquid crystal materials or in the preparation of compounds for use in such material are characterised by a formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 is selected from H, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy and alkoxycarbonyloxy;R.sub.2 is selected from H, alkyl, alkoxy;X.sub.1 is selected from H and fluorine;X.sub.2 is selected from H and fluorine; and ##STR2## is selected from ##STR3## and ##STR4## provided that one of X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 is fluroine. Compounds wherein ##STR5## is ##STR6## or ##STR7## are generally useful as liquid crystal compounds.