Abstract: Liquid crystal composition which comprises at least one liquid crystalline compound having an optically active .gamma.-lactone ring of the formula (A): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a group selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## n and e are each independently 0 or 1; R.sup.3 is an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms; X and Y are each independently a group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom, a halogen atom and cyano group; R.sup.2 is a group of the formula: --(CO).sub.m --R.sup.4 ; m is 0 or 1; R.sup.4 is hydrogen atom or an alkyl having 1 to 15 carbon atoms; and the symbol * is an asymmetric carbon atom, and a chiral or non-chiral liquid crystal, and a use thereof as an element for opto-electronics devices.