Abstract: Liquid crystalline ferroelectric derivatives of branched acyclic alpha-chlorocarboxylic acids of the general formula I ##STR1## wherein n=0 or 1; m=0 or 1, o=0 or 1; p=0 or 1X=--COO--, --OOC--, or --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --Y=X, --CH.sub.2 --, --N.dbd.N--, or --N.dbd.N(O)--, ##STR2## It was discovered that, by reacting chiral alpha-chlorocarboxylic acids or alpha-chlorocarboxylic acid chlorides or bromides, synthesized from natural alpha-amino acids by reaction with nitric and hydrochloric acids, with appropriate hydroxy compounds directly or in the presence of strongly dehydrating substances, preferably carbodiimides, liquid crystalline ferroelectric substances of the general formula I are formed.The inventive substances by themselves, in mixtures with one another as well as with other liquid crystalline substances or substances which are not liquid crystalline, can form liquid crystalline ferroelectric phases, which make them suitable for use in displays.

Abstract: Fast-switching displays with memory properties are provided, which can display digits, symbols, and images, and which contain as chemically and thermally stable ferroelectric liquid crystalline substances, according to the invention, liquid crystalline derivatives which contain a chiral alkyl halide residue corresponding to the general formula ##STR1## are used in mixtures of one another as well as in conjunction with other liquid crystalline or non-crystalline liquid substances.