Abstract: A novel liquid crystal material having a carbon chain containing a conjugated diene as a terminal substituent of the molecule and exhibiting superior characteristics is provided, which is a diene derivative expressed by the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R and R' each independently represent 1-5C alkyl; A and B each independently represent 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; n is 0 or 1; m is an integer of 0 to 2; X and X' each independently represent H atom or F atom when A is 1,4-phenylene or represent H atom when A is 1,4-cyclohexylene; Y is alkyl, halogen or CN, alkoxy, methyl group substituted by 1-3 halogen atoms or trihaloalkoxy when A is 1,4-phenylene, or represent alkyl, alkoxy, methyl group substituted by 1-3 halogen atoms or trihaloalkoxy when A is 1,4-cyclohexylene; and R and R' are not simultaneously alkyl chain of 4 or more carbon atoms.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystalline compound having a high elastic constant ratio (K.sub.33 /K.sub.11) and an improved solubility thereof in other liquid crystal materials, at low temperatures, and a liquid crystal composition containing the same are provided. The liquid crystalline compound is expressed by the formula (1): ##STR1## wherein Q represents CF.sub.3, CF.sub.2 H or CFH.sub.2 ; A.sub.1, A.sub.2 and A.sub.3 each independently represent trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group, 1,4-phenylene group, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms on its six-membered ring may be replaced by F, Cl or CN, pyridine-2,5-diyl group or 1,3-pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; ring B represents 1,4-phenylene group or trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group; Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2 and Z.sub.3 each independently represent covalent bond, --C.dbd.C--, --C.tbd.C--, --OCO--, --COO--, --CH.sub.2 O--, --OCH.sub.2 --, --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 -- or --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 --; l and m each independently represent an integer of 0 to 5; o and p each independently represent 0 or 1; L.sub.1 and L.

Abstract: A hexynediene derivative expressed by the following general formula I and liquid crystal compositions containing the derivative are disclosed: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent an alkyl group or alkoxy group each having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, ring A and ring B independently represent 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal material having a carbon chain containing a conjugated diene as a terminal substituent of the molecule and exhibiting superior characteristics is provided, which is a diene derivative expressed by the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R and R' each independently represent 1-5C alkyl; A and B each independently represent 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; n is 0 or 1; m is an integer of 0 to 2; X and X' each independently represent H atom or F atom when A is 1,4-phenylene or represent H atom when A is 1,4-cyclohexylene; Y is alkyl, halogen or CN, alkoxy, methyl group substituted by 1-3 halogen atoms or trihaloalkoxy when A is 1,4-phenylene, or represent alkyl, alkoxy, methyl group substituted by 1-3 halogen atoms or trihaloalkoxy when A is 1,4-cyclohexylene; and R and R' are not simultaneously alkyl chain of 4 or more carbon atoms.

Abstract: A novel compound having superior characteristics as a liquid crystal material and having a good stability under usual use environment, and a composition having improved viscosity, optical anisotropy and other properties, and further a liquid crystal display element are provided,the compound being a hexenediyne compound expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R' each represent an alkyl group or an alkoxy group, independently of each other; rings A and B each represent 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; and X represents H or F), and particularly when fluorine atom is introduced into the central part of the molecule of the compound, the viscosity is notably lowered; and when a liquid crystal composition is composed of the compound as its component, the operation temperature range of the liquid crystal composition is broadened, and the high speed response becomes possible due to the viscosity reduction, and when the cell thickness is reduced, a good display can be realized.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline compound which has a low viscosity and is electrically and chemically stable and compatible with other known liquid crystalline compounds at low temperatures, and a liquid crystal composition containing the same, which compound is a phenyl-4-cyclohexylbutylcyclohexane derivative expressed by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group of 1 to 15 carbon atoms, and X.sub.1, X.sub.2 and X.sub.3 are each independent and X.sub.1 and X.sub.3 each represent a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom and X.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group of 1 to 15 carbon atoms (wherein one --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -- bond may be replaced by a --CH.dbd.CH-- bond and one non-adjacent --CH.sub.2 -- bond may be replaced by an oxygen atom), a halogen atom, a cyano group, a trifluoromethyl group or a trifluoromethoxy group.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal material having a carbon chain containing a conjugated diene as a terminal substituent of the molecule and exhibiting superior characteristics is provided, which is a diene derivative expressed by the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R and R' each independently represent 1-5C alkyl; A and B each independently represent 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; n is 0 or 1; m is an integer of 0 to 2; X and X' each independently represent H atom or F atom when A is 1,4-phenylene or represent H atom when A is 1,4-cyclohexylene; Y is alkyl, halogen or CN, alkoxy, methyl group substituted by 1-3 halogen atoms or trihaloalkoxy when A is 1,4-phenylene, or represent alkyl, alkoxy, methyl group substituted by 1-3 halogen atoms or trihaloalkoxy when A is 1,4-cyclohexylene; and R and R' are not simultaneously alkyl chain of 4 or more carbon atoms.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal compound having an intermediate group of a cis-1,4-substituted 2-butenyl group, low viscosity and a broad mesomorphic temperature range is provided, which compound is expressed by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, n represents 1 or 2, X represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkoxy group, a methyl group substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atom(s) or a trihaloalkoxy group, and Y and Y' each independently represents a hydrogen atom, or a halogen atom.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal compound exhibiting a low driving voltage, a liquid crystal phase within a broad temperature range and a good compatibility with other known liquid crystal compounds at low temperatures is provided, which compound is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R is H or a linear or branched alkyl group of 1-10C, X is H or F, and the vinyl group has a transconfiguration. This compound has a high dielectric anisotropy value for its relatively low viscosity and can drive liquid crystal display elements under a low voltage, and further exhibits a liquid crystal phase within a broad temperature range of about room temperature to about 200.degree. C., and exhibits a good compatibility with many other liquid crystalline compounds such as ester compounds, Schiff's base compounds, biphenyls, phenylcyclohexanes, heterocyclic compounds, fluorine compounds, etc., particularly a good compatibility at low temperatures, and hence can provide improved liquid crystal materials.

Abstract: A novel, conjugated enyne compound expressed by the following formula (I), which has superior characteristics as an L.C. material and is stable under a usually used environment, and a L.C. composition containing the same are provided: ##STR1## wherein A is 1,4-phenylene or 1,4-cyclohexylene; B, C and D are 1,4-phenylene, 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, pyridine-2,5-diyl or 1,3-pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; L and M are covalent bond, 1,2-ethylene, oxycarbonyl, carbonyloxy, 1,2-ethenylene, 1,2-ethynylene, oxymethylene or methyleneoxy; n, m and l are 0 or 1; X and Z are H or F; R is fluoroalkyl, alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl or alkenyl; Y is alkyl, alkoxy, cyano, halogen, cyanate, alkyl or alkoxy having at least one H replaced by halogen; when n is 0, L is covalent bond; when m or n is 0, M is covalent bond; and m, n and l are not simultaneously 0,the compound having a broad L.C. range, a low viscosity and a suitable .DELTA.n, and being applied to various uses, and reducing the viscosity of L.C.

Abstract: A benzoxazinone compound represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cyanoalkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group or an aralkyl group; a process for preparing the same; and a herbicidal composition comprising the benzoxazinone compound as an active component are disclosed. The above benzoxazinone compounds exhibit a high selectivity for useful crop plants and a strong herbicidal activity with respect to various noxious weeds.

Abstract: An oxazolidinedione compound represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 3 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkynyl group having 3 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxycarbonyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety thereof, R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group having 3 to 5 carbon atoms or a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 5 carbon atoms, and X represents a chlorine atom or a fluorine atom; a process for preparing the same; and a herbicidal composition comprising the oxazolidinedione compound as an active component are disclosed. The above oxazolidinedione compounds exhibit a high selectivity for useful crop plants and a strong herbicidal activity with respect to various noxious weeds.

Abstract: There is a process for producing 2-oxo-3-aromatic carboxylic acid derivatives which comprises reacting aromatic pyruvic acid derivatives with electrophilic compounds in the presence of bases in a protic solvent. According to this process, 2-oxo-3-aromatic carboxylic acid derivatives which can be easily converted to aromatic amino acid derivatives or 2-aromatic carboxylic acid derivatives as important synthetic intermediates of medicines and agricultural chemicals can be produced in good yields with high selectivity.

Abstract: Novel hydantoin derivative which is represented by the formula: ##STR1## (wherein X and Y represent a halogen atom, R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group or an alkynyl group, R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or an alkynyl group, and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently represent a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group), and a herbicide containing said derivative as effective ingredient.This hydantoin derivative exhibit excellent weed-killing activity for harmful weeds and low phytotoxicity for crop plants.