Abstract: 5-Bromo-2-iodopyrimidine is used to synthesize a range of chemical compounds including liquid crystalline compounds.

Abstract: Phthalocyanines of formula (I) are described wherein M is a metal atom, metal compound or is 2H; one H being bonded to each of the two nitrogen atoms depicted as being bonded to M (positions 29 and 31 shown); R.sub.1 -R.sub.25 may be the same or different and are chosen independently from the following groups: straight or branched chain alkyl containing up to 32 carbon atoms where 1 or more non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups may be replaced by O and/or a double bond; H; F; and at least one of R.sub.2.3.9.10.16.17.34.24 is chosen from formula (II) wherein Y, X and Z are chosen independently from HO, `O, --O, OR, H, C.sub.1-16 branched or straight chain alkyl or alkoxy; X and Z may also be selected from phenyl groups which may be, independently of each other, substituted with one or more C.sub.1-5 straight or branched chain alkyl groups; R may be C.sub.1-16 branched or straight chain alkyl or alkene wherein 1 or more non-adjacent CH.sub.

Abstract: Liquid crystal compounds have been synthesized of general formula (I) and may be mixed with other liquid crystal compounds to give useful liquid crystal mixtures which may then be used in liquid crystal devices. Such devices include linear and non-linear electrical, optical and electro-optical devices, magneto-optical devices and devices providing responses to stimuli such as temperature changes and total or partial pressure changes. Formula (I) where each Z.sub.1-6 is given by formula (II), where Y for each of Z.sub.1-6 is independently COO, OCO, CH.sub.2 O and OCH.sub.2, m defines the number of substituents on each of Z.sub.1-6 and is independently 0-5,and X is independently for each substituent on each of Z.sub.1-6 alkyl (straight chain, branched and chiral), alkoxy (straight chain, branched or chiral), alkanoyl (straight chain, branched or chiral), alkenyl (straight chain, branched or chiral), halogen, halogenoalkyl (straight chain, branched or chiral) and CN, provided that at least one of Z.sub.