Abstract: The invention relates to reactive liquid crystal compounds of Formula (I), wherein P=polymerizable group, Sp=spacer, X and Z=linking group, n=1, m=0, or 1, A1 and A2=ring structure and R=unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group with the proviso that m=1 and/or R—P—Sp—X group. The composition comprising reactive liquid crystal compounds of formula (I), to linear or cross-linked (co) polymers obtainable by (co) polymerizing said reactive liquid crystals or compositions and to the use of said reactive liquid crystals or compositions for the preparation of linear or cross-linked polymers or polymer films for decorative pigments, cosmetics or security applications, active and passive optical elements, color filters, scattering displays, adhesives or synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermochromic polymerizable mesogenic composition essentially consisting of: a) a component MA comprising at least one achiral polymerizable mesogenic compound comprising at least one polymerizable functional group, b) a component MB comprising at least one chiral polymerizable mesogenic compound comprising at least one polymerizable functional group, c) a photoinitiator, and d) optionally a dye component, to anisotropic polymers and polymer films with a chiral mesophase obtainable from said thermochromic polymerizable mesogenic composition and to the use of said thermochromic polymerizable mesogenic composition, anisotropic polymers and polymer films for optical information storage, photomasks, decorative pigments, cosmetics, security applications, active and passive optical elements such as polarizers or optical retarders, color filters, scattering displays, adhesives or synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermochromic polymerizable mesogenic composition essentially consisting of:a) a component MA comprising at least one achiral polymerizable mesogenic compound comprising at least one polymerizable functional group,b) a component MB comprising at least one chiral polymerizable mesogenic compound comprising at least one polymerizable functional group,c) a photoinitiator, andd) optionally a dye component,to anisotropic polymers and polymer films with a chiral mesophase obtainable from said thermochromic polymerizable mesogenic composition and to the use of said thermochromic polymerizable mesogenic composition, anisotropic polymers and polymer films for optical information storage, photomasks, decorative pigments, cosmetics, security applications, active and passive optical elements such as polarizers or optical retarders, color filters, scattering displays, adhesives or synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a linear UV polarizer based on a polymerized mesogen obtained by curing with actinic radiation or heat of a polymerizable composition comprising:a) a liquid crystalline component A composed of one or more achiral mesogenic compounds having at least one polymerizable end group optionally linked via a spacer group to a mesogenic core,b) a dichroic component B that absorbs light in the UV region, with an absorption maximum of from 320 to 440 nm, andc) a photoinitiator or thermal initiator component C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circular UV polarizer based on a polymerized mesogen being obtainable by curing by actinic radiation or by heat of a polymerizable composition which comprises the following components:a) a liquid mesogenic component A composed of one or more achiral mesogenic compounds having at least one polymerizable end group optionally linked via a spacer group to the mesogenic core,b) a component B composed of one or more chiral compounds in such an amount that the maximum wavelength of reflection (.lambda..sub.max) of the composition is between 320 and 440 nm, inclusive, andc) a photoinitiator or thermal initiator component C.