Abstract: Compounds which may be used as a dopant or host in a ferroelectric chiral smectic liquid crystal mixture. The compounds are characterized in that they are derivates of an X-hydroxy carboxylic acid and contain the chiral unit (I), in which Ro may be alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, formula (II), where b may be 0 to 3 and the phenyl ring may be substituted, and a is 0 or 1. The chiral unit is combined with a range of mesogenic combinations of groups. Lactic acid derivatives are described in detail (i.e. Ro.dbd.methyl) together with various preparative routes, for example the compound formula (III), which has dopant properties in a range of hosts.

Abstract: Novel mesogenic amine curing agent for reactive monomers, such as epoxy resins and diisocyanates, comprises a mesogenic moiety, a primary amine, and a flexible alkyl spacer connected between the mesogenic moiety and the primary amine and wherein the alkyl spacer is a saturated, linear alkyl group having from about one to about twenty carbon atoms. Novel mesogenic amine has the formula: ##STR1## where M is --O--, ##STR2## or --CH.sub.2 --, where R is --NO.sub.2 or --CN, andwhere x is 1 to 20.Novel mesogenic amine has a labile group subject to cross-linking and the formula: ##STR3## where K is ##STR4## where L is ##STR5## where M is --o--, ##STR6## or --CH.sub.2 --, where Z is cinnamate, an alkene having from one to ten carbons, an isocyanate, an alkoxy, or an alcohol having from one to ten carbons,where T is a cyano, a nitro or an alkyl group having from about one to ten carbons, andwhere X is 1 to 20.

Abstract: An improved light modulating material for use in electro-optic and thermo-optic display devices is produced by forming a homogeneous solution comprising an acrylic resin containing active hydrogen groups, a liquid crystal material, a diisocyanate or epoxide, and a solvent. The homogeneous solution is preferably applied to a conductive substrate and the solvent is then evaporated, causing phase separation resulting in formation of a liquid crystal phase dispersed within a solid polymer matrix. Application of an electric field to the substrate causes the liquid crystal material to align, which in turn causes the coating to switch from substantially translucent to substantially transparent. If the electric field is removed the light modulating material again becomes substantially translucent. Switching times can be improved by incorporating a titanate or zirconate organometallic material into the light modulating material.

Abstract: Naphthylacetylenes of the formula IR.sup.1 --(A.sup.1 --Z.sup.1).sub.m --A.sup.2 --C.tbd.C--A.sup.3 --(Z.sup.2 --A.sup.4).sub.n --R.sup.2 Iin which R.sup.1, A.sup.1, Z.sup.1, m, A.sup.2, A.sup.3, Z.sup.2, A.sup.4, n and R.sup.2 have the meanings described herein, are suitable as components of liquid crystal phases.

Abstract: In one embodiment this invention provides an optical medium which consists of a microdispersion of liquid crystal droplets in a synthetic resin matrix. A preferred invention optical medium exhibits a Kerr effect, and can transmit propagating light waves with low scattering loss under waveguiding conditions.

Abstract: Optically nonlinear aromatic carboxylic acid cocrystals are provided of the formula: ##STR1## wherein each R is CN or NO.sub.2, n is 1-4, m is 1-3 and X and Y are individually (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)-alkanolyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkoxycarbonyl, ar(C.sub.1 -C.sub.5)alkyl, aryl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkoxy, hydroxy, halo or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An optically active compound particularly useful as a component of liquid crystal compositions having a high response rate and a chiral liquid crystal composition containing the same are provided, which optically active compound is expressed by the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents alkyl or alkoxy each of 1-20 C, H, halogen or CN; ##STR2## and ##STR3## each represent a specified six-membered ring; R.sup.2 represents alkyl of 1-20 C; the asterisk designates an asymmetric carbon atom; and m and n each represents 0 or 1.

Abstract: Provided is a novel chiral smectic C liquid crystalline polyester consisting essentially of structural units (A), (B) and (C) of the following formulae: ##STR1## which is optically active and wherein R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and ##STR2## wherein n represents an integer of 2 to 10.

Abstract: A photochromic material adapted for coating light transmissive materials. The photochromic material contains photosensitive silver halide crystals having dimensions in the range of approximately 50 Angstroms to 800 Angstroms. The silver halide crystals are surface doped with copper ions and another sensitizer selected from mild reducing agents or sulfur-bearing ions. The crystals are dispersed in a protective polymer that does not irreversibly bind halogen.

Abstract: The novel liquid-crystalline mixtures (in the case of ferroelectric behavior they additionally contain an optically active compound as dope) are constructed from at least 2 mixture components of the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein n=6 to 14 and x=2 to 14. In addition, the mixtures may also contain cyclohexanecarboxylates of the general formula (II) ##STR2## where R.sup.1 =(C.sub.10 -C.sub.16) or (C.sub.8 -C.sub.14)alkoxy and R.sup.2 =(C.sub.2 -C.sub.9)alkyl, alkenyloxyphenylpyrimidine derivatives of the general formula (III) ##STR3## where R.sup.3 =(C.sub.7 -C.sub.16)alkyl or (C.sub.6 -C.sub.14)alkoxy and y=4-14, and/or alkoxyphenyl derivatives of alkylpyrimidine, of the general formula (IV) ##STR4## where m and p=6 to 14.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to optically active compounds each containing a naphthalene skeleton, and to liquid crystal compositions which contain the aforesaid optical active compounds, these compositions being suitable for ferroelectric liquid crystal devices having excellent photostability and chemical stability and having a rapid responsivity.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the general formula:R--O--Ar--COS--Ph--COO--R'characterized by the presence of the thioester (--COS--) core and wherein R is an alkyl group with typically 8 to 16 carbon atoms, Ar is a substituted aromatic core group such as 1,4-benzene, 2,6-naphthalene, 4,4'-biphenyl, or 4,4'-diphenylethane, and R' is a chiral branched alkyl group such as the 1-substituted cases 1-methylpropyl through 1-methyloctyl or 2-substituted case such as 2-methylbutyl. These materials or their mixtures possess ferroelectric phases and as such are of interest for electro-optical applications. In certain cases specific materials are of particular interest due to the existence of stable ferroelectric phases near room temperature with large polarization density and fast electro-optic response.

Abstract: The invention relates to tertiary alcohols of the formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, A.sup.1, Z.sup.1, m, A.sup.2, Y, Q.sup.1, Q.sup.2, Q.sup.3 and Z.sup.2 have the meanings indicated in claim 1, and also to a process for the preparation of these compounds.

Abstract: A resin composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer and a smectic liquid crystal compound and is useful for fibers and film having been improved in mechanical properties.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula IR.sup.1 -A.sup.1 -A.sup.2 -R.sup.2 IwhereinR.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each alkyl with 1-15 C atoms, and wherein one or two non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups can also be replaced by --O--, --S--, --CO--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--, --CO--S--, --S--CO--, --CHHalogen--, --CHCN-- and/or --CH.dbd.CH--,A.sup.1 is 1,4-phenylene, trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or a single bond andA.sup.2 is ##STR1## in which Z is --O--CO--, --CO--O--, --S--CO--, --CO--S--, CH.sub.2 O--, --OCH.sub.2 -- or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, with the proviso that, if A.sup.1 is a single bond, A.sup.2 is ##STR2## are suitable as components of chirally tilted smectic liquid crystal phases.

Abstract: Optically active compounds of the formula I can be used as components of chiral titled smectic liquid crystal phases:R.sup.1 --C*HX--Q--A.sup.4 --Z.sup.1 --A.sup.2 --(Z.sup.2 --A.sup.3).sub.n --X'--Q'--C*HY'--R.sup.5 (I)whereinR.sup.1 --C*HX--Q-- and --X'--Q'--C*HY--R.sup.5 are identical optically active radicals selected from the group --O--C*HCH.sub.3 --COO--n--alkyl, --O--C*HCH.sub.3 --CH.sub.2 --O--n--alkyl, --OCO--C*HC1--CHCH.sub.3 --CH.sub.3, --OCO--C*HCl--C*HCH.sub.3 --C.sub.2 H.sub.5, --OCO--C*HCl--CH.sub.2 --CHCH.sub.3 --CH.sub.3, --OCO--C*HCl--C(CH.sub.3).sub.3, --COO--C*HCH.sub.3 -COO--n--alkyl, --O--CO--C*HCH.sub.3 --o--n--alkyl, --OCH.sub.2 --C*HCH.sub.3 --O--n--alkyl, --COO--C*HCH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 --O--n--allyl, --OC*HCH.sub.3 --CH.sub.2 --COO--n--alkyl, --COO--C*HCH.sub.3 --CH.sub.2 --COO--n--alkyl, --OCH.sub.2 --C*HCH.sub.3 --COO--n--alkyl or --COO--CH.sub.2 --C*HCH.sub.3 --COO--n--alkyl, alkyl is of 1--12 c atoms,and --A.sup.4 --Z.sup.1 --A.sup.2 --(Z.sup.2 --A.sup.3).sub.

Abstract: Octasubstituted tetraphyrazinotetraazaporphrazine and compositions forming an electron acceptable discotic liquid crystal phase are disclosed. Said compounds and the metal complexes are easily soluble in an organic solvent such as chloroform or dichloromethane etc and are insoluble in acetone and alcohols; and therefore a columnar phase by silica gel/dichloromethane, recrystallization from tetra-hydrofuran or refining through solid liquid extraction by acetone is possible. Furthermore, stability in a giant molecular can be expected and a functional membrane can be formed by a solution cast method etc., thereby employing as an electon or photoelectron material or an indication element.

Abstract: Optically active naphthalene compounds having the formula: ##STR1## in which X and Y are selected from combinations (a), (b) and (c): (a) X is C.sub.1-10 alkyl or alkoxy and Y is C.sub.4-16 optically active alkyl, (b) X is C.sub.1-10 alkyl or alkoxy and Y is ##STR2## where R.sup.2 is C.sub.4-16 optically active alkyl, (c) X is ##STR3## where R.sup.1 is C.sub.1-10 alkyl or alkoxy and Y is C.sub.4-16 optically active alkyl. Ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal materials being compositions containing these compounds are also described.

Abstract: An optically active compound having a large spontaneous polarization value and capable of affording a composition exhibiting a suitable ferroelectric liquid crystal temperature range and a liquid crystal composition containing the same are provided, which compound is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein either one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 20 carbon atoms and another thereof represents an optically active group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polarizing film comprising a hydrophobic polymer containing a dichroic organic colorant in an oriented state which is characterized in that the dichroic organic colorant is substantially insoluble in water, organic solvents and liquid crystals and the dichroic ratio of the colorant is not less than 7 when it is measured with the film obtained by blending the colorant intimately with polyethylene terephthalate, melting the resulting blend and forming it into a film. This polarizing film has exceptionally excellent moisture resistance and thermal resistance.