Abstract: A photo-alignment layer having excellent long-term stability to light and heat is manufactured by coating a material for the photo-alignment layer, which contains a dichroic dye having two or more polymerizable groups per molecule, on a substrate, and exposing the coating layer to polarized light, thereby imparting a photo-alignment function, and polymerizing the polymerizable groups by heating or light exposure.

Abstract: A photo-alignment layer having excellent long-term stability to light and heat is manufactured by coating a material for the photo-alignment layer, which contains a dichroic dye having two or more polymerizable groups per molecule, on a substrate, and exposing the coating layer to polarized light, thereby imparting a photo-alignment function, and polymerizing the polymerizable groups by heating or light exposure.

Abstract: A novel anthraquinone derivative is proposed, of the general formula ##STR1## where A,B,D are simultaneously or independently groups --NHCOR.sup.1, --NHCOAlk, --OCOAlk, --OCOR.sup.1, --OH, --OAlk, --NHAlk, H, wherein R.sup.1 is groups ##STR2## R.sup.4 is groups ##STR3## where Alk=C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 ; R.sup.5 is groups ##STR4## where Alk=C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 ; R.sup.6 is hydrogen or --Alk=C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 ;R.sup.7 -Alkyl=C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 ;R.sup.2, R.sup.3 are groups --Alk, --OAlk, --SAlk,where Alk=C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 or R.sup.3 - H, as a dichroic dye with negative dichrosim for a liquid-crystal material. Also proposed is a liquid-crystalline material containing a liquid-crystalline matrix and a dichroic dye representing at least one anthraquinone derivative of general formula /1/ taken in amount 1-15 mass %.

Abstract: 2,2-azimidazole derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 are H, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkoxy; NO.sub.2 ; R.sup.2 is hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl; n, m=1 to 3, but where n-m=1, R=R.sup.1 =R.sup.2 =H is excluded, are disclosed as well as a method for preparing these compounds by oxidation of a compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, n and m are as identified above, except for the compound, wherein R=R.sup.2 =R.sup.2 =H, n=m=1. A liquid-crystal or mesomorphic material containing the 2,2'-azoimidazole compounds and electrooptical device comprised of such mesomorphic material are disclosed. The electrooptical devices are useful for systems of electronic representation and processing of information. The compounds therein have two spectrally spaced absorption bands in the visible part of their spectrum such that their position insures the contrast required for the human eye to be able to readily recognize the difference in color.