Abstract: Biphenylylethanes of the formula I ##STR1## in which one of the radicals R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is X and the other radical R.sup.1 or R.sup.2 is R--Y-- whereX is H, halogen, --CF.sub.3, --OCHF.sub.2, --OCF.sub.3, --CN, --NCS or --NO.sub.2,R is alkyl, fluoroalkyl, alkenyl or oxaalkyl andY is O, S, --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --O--CO--O--, a single bond or--in the case where m=1--alternatively trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or ##STR2## m is 1 or 2, Ph is in each case identical or different radicals selected from the group comprising 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene and 3,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene,L.sup.3 and L.sup.4 are each H, or one of these radicals is alternatively F,L.sup.1, L.sup.2and L.sup.5 are each H or F, with the proviso that in the case where X=CN or R.sup.1 =--NCS, Y is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or ##STR3## and/or m=2 and/or one of the radicals L.sup.1, L.sup.2 and L.sup.

Abstract: Supertwist liquid crystal displays having very short switching times are obtained if the nematic liquid crystal mixture contains at least one component chosen from group A consisting of compounds of the formulae AI to AVI: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 in each case independently of one another are each R and R is alkyl having 1-12 C atoms, wherein one or two non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups can also be replaced by --O--, --CH.dbd.CH--, --CO--, --O--CO-- or --CO--O--, and up to four other components.

Abstract: Biphenylylethanes of the formula I,R.sup.1 --CH.sub.2 --X--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.m --Ph--Ph--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --Ph--Y--CH.sub.2 --R.sup.2 Iin whichR.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each, independently of one another, alkyl, alkenyl or oxaalkyl having up to 12 C atoms, and one of the radicals R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is alternatively H,m is 0 or 1,X and Y are each, independently of one another, O, S, CO--O, O--CO, O--CO--O or a single bond, the radical X is alternatively 1,4-phenylene or trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, and the radical Y is alternatively trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, andis 1,4-phenylene, and one or two of the radicals Ph is alternatively 2- or 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene,with the proviso that, in the case (a) where X=1,4-phenylene and m=1, one or two of the radicals Ph are 2- or 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, and (b) in the case where X=trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, m=0 and one or two of the radicals Ph are 2- or 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, are suitable as components of liquid-crystalline phases.