Abstract: A ferroelectric chiral smectic liquid crystal composition, comprising at least one compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of having a substituent; R.sub.2 denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-14 carbon atoms capable of having a substituent; X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 respectively denote a single bond, --O--, ##STR2## m is 0-7; and n is 0 or 1; and at least one compound represented by the following formula (II): ##STR3## wherein R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 respectively denote a linear alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms and one --CH.sub.2 -- not bonded to X.sub.4 in the alkyl group can be replaced with --O--; X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 respectively denote a single bond, --O--, ##STR4## and p and q are respectively 0, 1 or 2 with proviso that both of p and q are not 0.

Abstract: The invention provides a moldable resin composition comprising (A) 50-73 wt % of a crystalline ethylene-propylene block copolymer in which the content of ethylene is 5-15 wt %, (B) 10-20 wt % of a hydrogenated block copolymer consisting of (i) 10-40 wt % of blocks of an aromatic vinyl compound polymer and (ii) 90-60 wt % of blocks of a conjugated diene polymer, (C) 2-7 wt % of an amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymer in which the content of propylene is 20-30 wt % and (D) 15-25 wt % of talc, with the proviso that the total amount of (B) and (C) is 12-25 wt %. The particulars of the components (A) to (D), including the degree of solubility of the polypropylene component of the block copolymer (A), the degree of hydrogenation of each of the blocks (i) and (ii) of the copolymer (B), Mooney viscosity of the copolymer (C) and the particle size distribution of the talc (D), are strictly specified.

Abstract: A ferroelectric chiral smectic liquid crystal composition, comprising at least one compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of having a substituent; X.sub.1 denotes a single bond, --O-- or ##STR2## Z denotes a single bond or ##STR3## denotes ##STR4## and n is an integer of 1-12; and at least one compound represented by the following formula (II): ##STR5## wherein R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 respectively denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of having a substituent, at lease one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 being optically active; X.sub.2 and X.sub.

Abstract: A ferroelectric chiral smectic liquid crystal composition, comprising at least one optically active compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 denotes a linear alkyl group having 1-14 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-14 carbon atoms capable of having a subtituent; and X.sub.1 denotes a single bond, ##STR2## and at least one compound represented by the following formula (II): ##STR3## wherein R.sub.3 denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of having a substituent; R.sub.4 denotes a linear alkyl group having 1-10 carbon atoms; X.sub.

Abstract: A ferroelectric chiral smectic liquid crystal composition, comprising at least one compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein, R.sub.1 denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of having a substituent; R.sub.2 denotes a linear alkyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms; X.sub.1 denote a single bond, --O--, ##STR2## respectively denote ##STR3## and at least one compound represented by the following formula (II): ##STR4## wherein R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 respectively denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of having a substituent; X.sub.2 and X.sub.3 respectively denote a single bond, --O--, ##STR5## and m and n are respectively 0, 1 or 2 with proviso that m+n is 2 or above.

Abstract: A ferroelectric chiral smectic liquid crystal composition, comprising at least one compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of having a substituent, R.sub.2 denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-14 carbon atoms capable of having a substituent; X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 respectively denote a single bond, --O--, ##STR2## m is 0-7; and n is 0 or 1; and at least one compound represented by the following formula (II): ##STR3## wherein R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 respectively denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of having a substituent; X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 respectively denote a single bond, --O--, ##STR4## Y.sub.1 denotes --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 --; and p and q are respectively 1 or 2.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal apparatus the scanning electrodes are applied with at least two scanning selection signals in at least two vertical scanning periods. The scanning selection signals comprise mutually different waveforms, each comprising a pulse of one or the opposite voltage polarity with respect to the level of a voltage applied to a scanning electrode when it is not selected. Data pulses are applied to the data electrodes in phase with the pulse. A writing voltage and a fore voltage are applied prior to the writing voltage formed by the combination of the pulse and a data voltage to a pixel on a scanning electrode during a selection period determined by application of the one or the opposite polarity to the scanning electrode. The fore voltage pulse has a polarity opposite to that of the writing voltage and an amplitude which is 1/2 or less of that of the writing voltage.

Abstract: A large-sized exterior part of an automotive vehicle, injection-molded and formed of a polymer material comprises: (A) polypropylene in an amount ranging from 50 to 70 by weight %, the polypropylene containing ethylene in an amount not more than 15 weight % relative to the polypropylene and having a MFR (at 230.degree. C.) ranging from 5 to 60 g/10 min.; (B) ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber polymerized in the presence of a vanadium-based catalyst, in an amount ranging from 5 to 30 weight %, the copolymer containing propylene in an amount ranging from 20 to 40 weight % relative to the ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber and having a Mooney viscosity ML.sub.1+4 (100.degree. C.) ranging from 20 to 80; (C) ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber polymerized in the presence of a titanium-based catalyst, in an amount ranging from 5 to 45 weight %, the copolymer containing propylene in an amount ranging from 30 to 70 weight % relative to the ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber and having a Mooney viscosity ML.sub.

Abstract: A ferroelectric chiral smectic liquid crystal composition, comprising at least one optically active compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of having a substituent; R.sub.2 denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-14 carbon atoms capable of having a substituent; and X.sub.1 denotes a single bond, ##STR2## and at least one optically active compound represented by the following formula (II): ##STR3## wherein R.sub.3 denotes a linear alkyl group having 1-14 carbon atoms; R.sub.4 denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-14 carbon atoms capable of having a substituent; and X.sub.

Abstract: A process for producing an optically active dihydropyran derivative represented by formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 each represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a tri-lower alkylsilylmethyl group, a lower alkoxycarbonylamino group, or an --OR.sup.5 group, wherein R.sup.5 represents a lower alkyl group, a lower acyl group, a lower alkoxycarbonyl group, a di-lower alkylcarbamoyl group, or a tri-lower alkylsilyl group, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are taken together to form a 5- to 7-membered cyclic hydrocarbon group or to form a condensed heterocyclic group with an oxygen atom, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are taken together to form a 5- to 7-membered cyclic hydrocarbon group or to form a condensed heterocyclic group with an oxygen atom, provided that all of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 do not represent hydrogen atoms at the same time; and R.sup.6 represents a lower alkyl group, which comprises reacting a diene compound represented by formula (2): ##STR2## wherein R.

Abstract: An optically active mesomorphic compound represented by the formula (III) is obtained through an optically active compound represented by the formula (I) and then through a compound represented by the formula (II), respectively, shown below. ##STR1## In the above formulas, R represents a linear, branched or cyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 1-18 carbon atoms each capable of having a substituent, C* represents an asymmetric carbon atom, k is an integer of from 2 to 5, A is a releasable active group such as hydroxyl, l is 0 or 1, and when l is 1, m is 0, 1 or 2 and n is 0 or 1; R.sup.1 represents an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1-18 carbon atoms; ##STR2## respectively denote ##STR3## p, q and r are respectively 0 or 1 satisfying the relation of p+q+r.gtoreq.1.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition comprises at least one compound represented by the formula [I] below and at least one compound represented by the formula [II] below: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 denotes an alkyl group having 1-16 carbon atoms capable of having a substituent; R.sub.2 denotes any one of alkyl group, alkoxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, acyloxy group and alkoxycarbonyloxy group, each having 1-16 carbon atoms and being capable of having a substituent; and A denotes any one of ##STR2## each capable of having a substituent; and ##STR3## wherein R.sub.3 denotes a linear alkyl group having 1-16 carbon atoms; R.sub.4 denotes a linear alkyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms; X.sub.1 is a single bond, --O--, ##STR4## X.sub.2 is --OCH.sub.2 --, ##STR5## or --CH.sub.

Abstract: A liquid crystal apparatus includes a chiral smectic liquid crystal showing a first and a second orientation state disposed between first and second electrodes of a liquid cell. A drive circuit applies voltages between the first and second electrodes including voltages .vertline.V.sub.S .vertline. and .vertline.V.sub.I .vertline. which provide voltages V.sub.A and V.sub.B (V.sub.B V.sub.A) satisfying the relationship of: .vertline.(V.sub.A -V.sub.B)/(V.sub.A +V.sub.B).vertline.>0.1 at 40.degree. C. V.sub.A is a minimum peak value of a voltage .vertline.V.sub.S .vertline.+.vertline.V.sub.I .vertline. (at a constant pulse width) capable of inverting the first orientation state of the chiral smectic liquid crystal into the second orientation state when a voltage pulse is applied between the first and second electrodes to cause the first orientation state of the chiral smectic liquid crystal and then the voltage .vertline.V.sub.S .vertline.+.vertline.V.sub.I .vertline.

Abstract: A process for preparing an .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylate represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R.sup.2 represents a lower alkyl group, a phenyl group or a cycloalkyl group, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are bonded to each other to form a five- to seven-membered cycloalkenyl or bicycloalkenyl ring which may be substituted with a lower alkyl group; and R.sup.3 represents a lower alkyl group,which comprises reacting an olefin compound represented by formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 ' represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; and R.sup.2 ' represents a lower alkyl group, a phenyl group or a cycloalkyl group, or R.sup.1 ' and R.sup.2 ' are bonded to each other to form a five- to seven-membered cycloalkyl or bicycloalkyl ring which may be substituted with a lower alkyl group,with a glyoxylate represented by formula (III): ##STR3## wherein R.sup.