Abstract: Anisotropic compounds of the following formula: ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## is selected from the group consisting of ##STR3## Z represents a covalent bond or a carboxyl group --C(O)O--, R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl, and C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkoxy and X.sup.2 and X.sup.3 may be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, and nitrile, with the proviso that at least one of the groups X.sup.2 and X.sup.3 is not hydrogen, are useful as components of liquid crystal mixtures for elektrooptical twist cells.