Abstract: A liquid crystalline compounds:

Abstract: Liquid crystal compounds of formula (I) are described, where formula (I) is given as R1—A—(X)m—(B)n—R2 where A is selected from naphthyl, fluorinated naphthyl, brominated naphthyl, B is selected from phenyl, methylated phenyl, brominated phenyl, fluorinated phenyl, thiophene, pyrimidine and pyridine. R1 and R2 are independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, akynyl, thioalkyl, Br, CN, SCN, NCS, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy and hydrogen, X is selected from C≡C, COO and C≡C, m is 0 or 1, n is 0 or 1 where m is 1 and n is 0 where m is 0; provided that where A is naphthyl, n is 1 and m is 0 then B is selected from methylated phenyl, brominated phenyl, thiophene, pyrimidine and pyridine; and further provided that where A is naphthyl, X is C≡C, m is 1 and n is 1, then B is selected from thiophene, pyrimidine and pyridine.

Abstract: R.sub.1 --A--(X).sub.m --(B).sub.n --R.sub.2 (I)R.sub.3 --J--(Y).sub.p --(Z).sub.q --R.sub.4 (II)Liquid crystal compounds of formula (I) are described, where formula (I) is given as R.sub.1 --A--(X).sub.m --(B).sub.n --R.sub.2 where A is selected from nathyl, fluorinated naphthyl, brominated naphthyl, B is selected from phenyl, methylated phenyl, brominated phenyl, fluorinated phenyl, thiophene, pyrimidine and pyridine, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkynyl, thioalkyl, Br, CN, SCN, NCS, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy and hydrogen, X is selected from C.tbd.C, COO and C.tbd.C, m is 0 or 1, n is 0 or 1 where m is 1 and n is 0 where m is 0; provided that where A is naphthyl, n is 1 and m is 0 then B is selected from methylated phenyl, brominated phenyl, thiophene, pyrimidine and pyridine; and further provided that where A is naphthyl, X is C.tbd.C, m is 1 and n is 1, then B is selected from thiophene, pyrimidine and pyridine.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anisotropic polymer film or polymer net-work obtainable by photopolymerization of at least one mesogene-containing compound, having two side chains attached to a mesogenic core structure one of which is polymerizable, the other of which is capable of forming association dimers by hydrogen bonds.

Abstract: Liquid crystal compounds have been synthesized of general formula (I) and may be mixed with other liquid crystal compounds to give useful liquid crystal mixtures which may then be used in liquid crystal devices. Such devices include linear and non-linear electrical, optical and electro-optical devices, magneto-optical devices and devices providing responses to stimuli such as temperature changes and total or partial pressure changes. Formula (I) where each Z.sub.1-6 is given by formula (II), where Y for each of Z.sub.1-6 is independently COO, OCO, CH.sub.2 O and OCH.sub.2, m defines the number of substituents on each of Z.sub.1-6 and is independently 0-5,and X is independently for each substituent on each of Z.sub.1-6 alkyl (straight chain, branched and chiral), alkoxy (straight chain, branched or chiral), alkanoyl (straight chain, branched or chiral), alkenyl (straight chain, branched or chiral), halogen, halogenoalkyl (straight chain, branched or chiral) and CN, provided that at least one of Z.sub.

Abstract: Novel liquid crystal materials are provided having the general formula ##STR1## where A is a 4-alkylphenyl group and B is a 2-(6-alkyl)naphthyl group, or vice versa, wherein the alkyl groups in A and B may be the same or different. These materials have a dielectric anisotropy sign change at moderate frequencies, i.e., in the range 1kHz to 50kHz and are thus useful for twisted nematic device cells of the frequency switching type.

Abstract: Novel liquid crystal materials which are trans-4-alkylcyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid esters are provided having the general formula: ##STR1## where R is a normal or branched chain alkyl group, which may also contain a chiral center, containing up to ten carbon atoms and X is selected from the groups: ##STR2## where A is a cyano group, a normal or branched chain alkyl group, which may also contain a chiral center, containing up to ten carbon atoms or an alkoxy group in which the alkyl group is as defined immediately above, and where Y is a halogen, preferably chlorine, or hydrogen.

Abstract: Liquid crystal compounds are disclosed having the formula ##STR1## where p is an integer having a value from 0 to 5 inclusive. These materials are optically active and cholesterogenic and may be used in an electro-optical display device either on their own or in admixture with nematogenic materials having a formula ##STR2## where i has a value from 0 to 5 inclusive and j is 0 or 1. These last mentioned mixtures may be thermochromic and employed in a temperature sensing device.

Abstract: A family of new compounds suitable for adding to cyanobiphenyls and other liquid crystal compounds to give mixtures having extended liquid crystal temperature ranges is characterised by the formula ##STR1## or, a simple substituted derivative thereof, where A is (CH.sub.2).sub.n, (CH.sub.2).sub.n O O(CH.sub.2).sub.n, n being an integer in the range 1-4, either X is hydrogen or an alkyl, alkoxy or alkanoyloxy group and Y is a cyano group or Y is hydrogen or an alkyl, alkoxy or alkanoyloxy group and X is a cyano group.The mixtures so produced may be used in known kinds of liquid crystal electro-optic devices.

Abstract: A range of eutectic mixtures containing at least three compounds having the formula ##SPC1##Where X.sup.1 is an alkyl group, an alkoxy group or a substituted phenyl group ##SPC2##Where R is an alkyl or alkoxy group, are described. The eutectic mixtures extend the temperature ranges over which their constituent compounds exhibit liquid crystal properties and are thus useful in liquid crystal devices operating in those temperature ranges.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal material contains a compound having a molecular structure such that the material exhibits a liquid crystal phase, the molecular structure of the compound being ##SPC1##Or an orthosubstituted derivative thereof, where X and Y are different parasubstituents of the kind which promote liquid crystal behaviour, where the para substituent is a group selected from the following list; an alkyl group, an acyloxy group, an unsaturated group or an alkoxy group having more than one carbon atom; and where the para-substituent Y is a group selected from the following list; a cyano group, a nitro group, a group which includes a terminal cyano group, a group which includes a terminal nitro group and an acyloxy group. The material may be the said compound or it may be a multi-component solution or mixture containing it. The liquid crystal material may be nematic, smectic or cholesteric depending on the selection of the substituents X and Y.