Abstract: An optically liquid crystalline compound having an extremely large spontaneous polarization value and a chiral smectic liquid crystal composition containing the compound are provided, the compound being expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein m represents an integer of 2 to 18; l represents an integer of 0 to 12; n represents 0 or 1; R represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 2 to 20 carbon atoms, a halogen atom or cyano group; and A and B each represent a single bond, ##STR2## wherein X represents hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or cyano group, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal composition containing at least one kind of the above compound.

Abstract: The optically active compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an alkyl or an alkyloxy group having a carbon number of 1-18, R.sup.2 is an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1-18, and A is a biphenyl group or a biphenyl group having a halogen atom or a cyano group are provided.The optically active compounds are useful for liquid crystal elements, especially for components of ferroelectric liquid crystal mixtures inducing high value of spontaneous polarization.

Abstract: An optically active-2-methylbutyrate capable of imparting a spontaneous polarization value to achiral smectic compositions and also constituting ferroelectric liquid crystal compositions exhibiting a fast response at room temperature, and a liquid crystal composition containing the same, and further a light-switching element therefrom, are provided, which optically active-2-methylbutyrate is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a linear or branched alkyl group or alkoxy group, each of 1 to 18 carbon atoms; A represents ##STR2## wherein X represents any one of F, Cl, Br or cyano group; and * indicates an optically active carbon atom.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystalline, halogen-containing heterocyclic compound having a characteristic that even when its S.sub.c * phase is supercooled, no other smectic phases appear, and a liquid crystal composition containing the same are provided, which compound is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represent an alkyl group of 2 to 18 carbon atoms; X represents --N.dbd. or --CH.dbd.; Y represents F or Cl; n represents an integer of 0 to 10; and a symbol * represents an asymmetric carbon atom.

Abstract: Novel chiral smectic liquid crystalline ester compounds having a superior stability and exhibiting a high response rate when used in the form of display elements and chiral smectic mixtures containing at least one of these compounds are provided, which compounds are expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein n is an integer of 2 to 16; l is 0, 1 or 2; m is 1 or 2 under the condition of l+m.gtoreq.2; X represents methylene group --CH.sub.2 -- or single bond when l is zero, methylene group --CH.sub.2 -- or ether linkage --O-- when l=1 or ether linkage --O-- when l=2; and Y represents R, OR, --COR, --OCOR, --OCOOR or --COOR wherein R throughout represents an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms; and asterisk * shows an optically active carbon atom.

Abstract: The present invention provided optically active alcohols represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 indicates an alkyl or alkyloxy group having a carbon number of 1-18, and A indicates a phenyl or a biphenyl group; or a phenyl or biphenyl group having a halogen atom or a cyano group. The alcohols are intermediates of optically active materials useful for components of liquid crystal materials for liquid crystal display elements having quick response.

Abstract: A novel 3-substituted biphenyl compound useful as a component of chiral liquid crystal compositions useful for light-switching elements by the use of ferroelectric liquid crystals; a chiral liquid crystal composition containing the compound; and a light-switching element utilizing the composition are provided, which compound is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein either one of R.sup.1 or R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group of 4 to 18 carbon atoms having a methyl branch and the other thereof represents an alkyl group of 2 to 18 carbon atoms; X represents a halogen atom of F, Cl or Br or cyano group; and l represents 0 to 1.

Abstract: A compound useful as a component constituting ferroelectric liquid crystal display elements and a liquid crystal composition containing the same are provided, which compound is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a linear or branched chain alkyl group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms and R* represents an optically active alkyl group, alkoxy group, alkoxyalkyl group, alkoxyalkoxy group, alkanoyloxyalkyl group, alkanoyloxyalkoxy group, halogenated alkyl group or halogenated alkoxy group each of 2 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A compound useful as a constituent of liquid crystal materials for ferroelectric liquid crystal display elements and a liquid crystal composition containing the same are provided, which compound is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a linear or branched chain alkyl group or alkoxy group each of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R* represents an optically active group of 3 to 16 carbon atoms and X and Y each represent H or F.

Abstract: An optically active liquid crystal compound having a large spontaneous polarization value and a chiral smectic liquid crystal composition containing the same are provided, which compound is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent an alkyl group of 4 to 18 carbon atoms and l represents 1 or 0.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal compound exhibiting SC phase which, when added to an optically active liquid crystal, makes the resulting chiral smectic liquid crystal material exhibit superior performances in liquid crystal display elements utilizing the ferroelectricity of the material, and a chiral smectic C composition using the compound, which compound is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 l represents an alkyl group of 7 to 12 carbon atoms and R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group of 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal compound represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## (wherein R is a straight or branched alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R* is an optically active alkyl group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, X is a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom, and n is 1 or 2), a liquid crystal composition containing at least one liquid crystal compound of the general formula (I), a chiral smectic liquid crystal composition containing at least one liquid crystal compound of the general formula (I), and an optical switching element utilizing the chiral smectic liquid crystal composition containing at least one liquid crystal compound of the general formula (I) are described.

Abstract: A ferroelectric pyridine compound suitable as a liquid crystal for display mode utilizing ferroelectric properties and exhibiting SC* phase at a temperature somewhat higher than room temperature and a liquid crystal composition are provided, which compound is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein n represents an integer of 0 to 8, R.sub.1 represents an alkyl group of 2 to 18 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 represents an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms and the symbol * indicates that C having the symbol attached thereon is an optically active carbon atom.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal compound exhibiting SC phase which, when added to an optically active liquid crystal, makes the resulting chiral smectic liquid crystal material exhibit superior performances in liquid crystal display elements utilizing the ferroelectricity of the material, and a chiral smectic C composition using the compound. The compound is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein X represents F or Cl and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represent a straight chain alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A novel optically active liquid crystal compound and a liquid crystal composition containing the same are provided, which compound is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl or alkoxy of 4-18 C; R.sub.2 is alkyl, alkoxy, acyl or alkoxymethyl of 4-18 C; but either one of R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 is an optically active group; either one of X.sub.1 or X.sub.2 is halogen atom and the other is H; m and n each are 0 or 1 and m+n is 0 or 1.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystalline, halogen-containing heterocyclic compound having a characteristic that even when its S.sub.c * phase is supercooled, no other smectic phases appear, and a liquid crystal composition containing the same are provided, which compound is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represent an alkyl group of 2 to 18 carbon atoms; X represents --N.dbd. or --CH.dbd.; Y represents F or Cl; n represents an integer of 0 to 10; and a symbol * represents an asymmetric carbon atom.

Abstract: A novel liquid-crystalline, optically active compound exhibiting a chiral smectic phase and a chiral smectic liquid crystal composition containing the same are provided, which liquid-crystalline, optically active compound is a compound expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein X represents a linear chain alkyl group or a linear chain alkoxy group, each of 4 to 18 carbon atoms, or a halogen atom, R* represents an optically active alkyl group of 4 to 18 carbon atoms and ##STR2## shows that the oxygen atom can be bonded to either nitrogen atom.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal compound having superior properties and a chiral smectic liquid crystal composition are provided. The ferroelectric liquid crystal compound is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents an alkyl group of 2-18 C; A, --COO-- or --OCO--; l and m each, 1 or 2 but l+m=2 or 3; n, an integer of 2-8; and symbol *, an asymmetric carbon atom.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal compound exhibiting smectic phases and useful for display elements and a chiral smectic liquid crystal composition containing the compound are provided, which compound is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent an alkyl group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms and X represents H atom or F atom, and which composition comprises at least one kind of the compounds of the formula (I) and an optically active compound.

Abstract: A novel chiral liquid crystal compound having an optically active group which affords a superior response rate when used as a liquid crystal display element, and a liquid crystal composition containing the same are provided, which chiral liquid crystal compound is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms; R* represents an optically active alkyl group of 4 to 15 carbon atoms; X represents single bond, --O--, ##STR2## Y represents --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 --; Z represents single bond, --O--, ##STR3## and m and n each represent 1 or 2.