Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced between at least two of the characteristics. The liquid crystal composition has a nematic phase, and includes a specific optically active compound as a first component and may optionally include a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or a small viscosity as a second component, and a specific compound having a large positive dielectric anisotropy as a third component, and the liquid crystal display device contains this composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced between at least two of the characteristics. The liquid crystal composition has a nematic phase, and includes a specific optically active compound as a first component and may optionally include a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or a small viscosity as a second component, and a specific compound having a large positive dielectric anisotropy as a third component, and the liquid crystal display device contains this composition.

Abstract: A dihydrocoumarin ring-containing compound of the invention is represented by the following formula (1): wherein R represents hydrogen or an alkyl; A1 to A3 each represents 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; Z1 to Z3 each represents a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH?CH—, —CF?CF—, —C?C—, —(CH2)4—, —O(CH2)2O—, —(CH2)2CF2O—, —(CH2)2OCF2—, —CF2O(CH2)2—, —OCF2(CH2)2—, —CH?CH—CH2O—, or —OCH2—CH?CH—; X represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, —CN, —CF3, —CHF2, —CH2F, —OCF3, —OCHF2, or —OCH2F; G represents oxygen or sulfur; and n and m each represents 0, 1, or 2.

Abstract: A dihydrocoumarin ring-containing compound of the invention is represented by the following formula (1): wherein R represents hydrogen or an alkyl; A1 to A3 each represents 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; Z1 to Z3 each represents a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH?CH—, —CF?CF—, —C?C—, —(CH2)4—, —O(CH2)2O—, —(CH2)2CF2O—, —(CH2)2OCF2—, —CF2O(CH2)2—, —OCF2(CH2)2—, —CH?CH—CH2O—, or —OCH2—CH?CH—; X represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, —CN, —CF3, —CHF2, —CH2F, —OCF3, —OCHF2, or —OCH2F; G represents oxygen or sulfur; and n and m each represents 0, 1, or 2.