Abstract: Disclosed in this invention are the phenylpyrimidine derivatives represented by the general formula I: ##STR1## the alcohols represented by the formula: ##STR2## usable as starting material for the preparation of the phenylpyrimidine derivatives, and the processes for preparing such derivatives. The phenylpyrimidine derivatives of the formula I according to the present invention have very excellent properties as a liquid crystal compound and can be utilized effectively for the production of liquid crystal elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to trans-olefin compounds represented by the general formula (1) useful as an ingredient of liquid crystal composition, trans-olefin compounds useful as intermediate of pesticides, medical drugs, liquid crystal materials and the like, a process for producing those trans-olefin compounds, a liquid crystal composition containing the trans-olefin compound as an active ingredient, and a liquid crystal element using the liquid crystal composition. ##STR1## (In the general formula (1), R.sup.1, A.sup.1, A.sup.2, A.sup.3, Z and R.sup.2 are same as defined in the specification. Also, m, p, q, n, r, s and t are each an integer as defined in the specification.

Abstract: An optically active phenol useful in the preparation of liquid crystalline compounds which is represented by the formula (V): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.2 represents an alkyl or alkoxyalkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms optionally substituted by halogen atoms; Z' represents ##STR2## wherein q represents a number of 1 to 5 and * indicates asymmetric carbon atom; l represents a number of 2; t represents a number of 1 to 5; s represents a number of 0 or 1.

Abstract: A compound having an unsaturated side chain represented by the formula: ##STR1## in which A and B are the same and different and represent an aromatic or heterocyclic group or either one of A and B represents a single bond; X.sub.1, X.sub.2 and X.sub.3 are the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R.sub.1 represents a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom or an alkoxyalkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom; X represents --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.CH--, --C.tbd.C-- or a single bond; n is an integer of 0 to 6; q is an integer of 1 to 15; p and s are each 0 or 1; and the asterisk * indicates an asymmetric carbon atom, which is useful as an intermediate of a liquid crystal or a monomer of a liquid crystalline polymer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process of producing a 2-cyano-4-oxo-4H-benzopyran compound of the general formula (2): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxy, nitro or a group of the RCONH wherein R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-substituted (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20) alkyl, phenyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20)alkoxyphenyl or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20) alkoxyphenyl. This production process is characterized in that a carboxamide of the general formula (1): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each as defined above, is reacted with a dehydrating agent in the presence of a pyridine compound of the general formula (4): ##STR3## wherein A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 are independently hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl.

Abstract: A diphenylacetylene compound of the formula [1]: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl group, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkenyl group or a C.sub.2 -C.sub.16 alkoxyalkyl group; X.sup.1, X.sup.2, X.sup.3, X.sup.4, Y.sup.1, Y.sup.2, Y.sup.3 and Y.sup.4 are independently from each other a --CH-- group, a --CF-- group or a nitrogen atom;A is a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a trifluoromethyl group, a trifluoromethoxy group, a cyano group, a 4-R.sup.1 -(cycloalkyl) group, 4-R.sup.1 -(cycloalkenyl) group or a R.sup.1 --(O).sub.m group in which R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl group, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkenyl group or a C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkynyl group; and m is 0 or 1, which has an excellent anisotropy of refractive index and a low viscosity and is useful as a component of a liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A 1-bromoalkylbenzene derivative is prepared by reacting a phenylalkene derivative with hydrogen bromide in the presence of a non-polar solvent. The phenylalkene derivative is prepared by reacting an alkenyl halide with metal magnesium to form a Grignard reagent, and then reacting the Grignard reagent with a benzyl halide derivative. An allyl Grignard reagent is prepared by reacting continuously an allyl halide derivative with metal magnesium in an organic solvent, in which the allyl halide derivative and metal magnesium are continuously added to the reaction system and the allyl Grignard reagent formed is continuously removed from the reaction system. The processes provide the intended compounds in high yields, high selectivities and high purities.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a 2-(tetrazol-5-yl)-4-oxo-4H-benzopyran of general formula (1): ##STR1## which comprises reacting a hydroxyacetophenone of general formula (2): ##STR2## with a tetrazole compound of general formula (3): ##STR3## in the presence of a base in a solvent composed mainly of at least one selected from hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons and alcohols, and then treating the reaction mixture under acidic conditions.

Abstract: A compound having an unsaturated side chain represented by the formula: ##STR1## in which A and B are the same and different and represent an aromatic or heterocyclic group or either one of A and B represents a single bond; X.sub.1, X.sub.2 and X.sub.3 are the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R.sub.1 represents a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom or an alkoxyalkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom; X represents --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.CH--, --C.ident.C-- or a single bond; n is an integer of 0 to 6; q is an integer of 1 to 15; p and s are each 0 or 1; and the asterisk * indicates an asymmetric carbon atom, which is useful as an intermediate of a liquid crystal or a monomer of a liquid crystalline polymer.

Abstract: A ferroelectric chiral smectic liquid crystal mixture comprising a compound of the formula (I): ##STR1## and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a compound of the formula (II): ##STR2## and a compound of the formula (III): ##STR3##

Abstract: Disclosed in this invention are the phenylpyrimidine derivatives represented by the general formula I: ##STR1## the alcohols represented by the formula: ##STR2## usable as starting material for the preparation of the phenylpyrimidine derivatives, and the processes for preparing such derivatives. The phenylpyrimidine derivatives of the formula I according to the present invention have very excellent properties as a liquid crystal compound and can be utilized effectively for the production of liquid crystal elements.

Abstract: An acetylene derivative represented by general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is saturated or unsaturated alkyl group having 3-20 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 is saturated or unsaturated alkyl group having 1-20 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted by halogen atom or alkoxyalkyl group having 2-20 carbon atoms, A and B represent phenylene group or the like or taken as --A--B-- represent naphthalene group or the like, m and s are each 0 or 1, n is integer of 1-6, and * means asymmetric carbon atom; a process for producing said acetylene derivative, a liquid crystal composition using the same as active ingredient, and a liquid crystal element using said composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel active benzene derivatives represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## (wherein X represents --CCO--, --OCO--, --CH.sub.2 C-- or --OCH.sub.2 --; A represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl or alkoxyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; l and m each represents a number of 1 or 2, n represents a number of 0 or 1, but when n is 0 the sum of l and m is 3 or less; and * indicates asymmetric carbon atom), a process for producing the same, liquid-crystalline substances containing said derivatives as active ingredient, and optical switching elements utilizing the liquid crystal compositions containing said liquid-crystalline substances.

Abstract: Optically active naphthalene derivatives including optically active naphthylcarboxylic acid derivative, hydroxynaphthalene derivative, alkoxynaphthylalkanol derivative and alkylnaphthylalkanol derivative have the following structural formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 denotes an alkyl group of 3-20 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 denotes an alkyl group of 1-20 carbon atoms optionally substituted with halogen atom(s) or an alkoxyalkyl group of 2-20 carbon atoms optionally substituted with halogen atom(s), X denotes --COO-- or --OCO--, k, l and m denotes 0 or 1 respectively, n denotes an integer of 0-6, p denotes 0 or 1, and the asterisk indicates an asymmetric carbon atom, with the proviso that when k is 0, l and m are not 1 at the same time, and when k is 1, m is 1, and when n is 0 and m is 1, X is --COO--.

Abstract: Disclosed are herein optically active benzene derivatives represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## preparation processes therefor, liquid crystal composition containing such benzene derivatives as liquid-crystalline compound, and a light switching element using said liquid crystal composition as liquid crystal element, wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, x, y, z, m, p and s are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are optically active carboxylic acid or acid halide compounds of formula III: ##STR1## Wherein R.sub.2 represents an optically active alkyl or alkoxyalkyl group having 3 to 15 carbon atoms optionally substituted by halogen atoms; R' represents a hydroxyl group or a halogen atom; k is 0 or 1; and n represents an integer of 1 to 6.

Abstract: Disclosed are herein optically active aromatic compounds represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X represents --COO-- or --OCO--; Y represents --COO--, --OCO-- or --O--; R.sub.2 represents an alkyl or alkoxyalkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen atom; R.sub.1 represents an alkyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms;Z represents ##STR2## wherein p represents a number of 1 to 5 and * indicates an asymmetric carbon atom; l and k each represents a number of 1 or 2; m and s each represents a number of 0 or 1, which are useful as a liquid crystal.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel active benzene derivatives represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## (wherein X represents --COO--, --OCO--, --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 --; A represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl or alkoxyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms: R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; l and m each represents a number of 1 or 2, n represents a number of 0 or 1, but when n is 0 the sum of l and m is 3 or less; and * indicates asymmetric carbon atom), a process for producing the same, liquid-crystalline substances containing said derivatives as active ingredient, and optical switching elements utilizing the liquid crystal compositions containing said liquid-crystalline substances.

Abstract: Disclosed are optically active aromatic carboxylic acid derivatives represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.2 represents an alkoxyalkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, which alkyl group may be substituted with a halogen atom; l represents a number of 1 or 2; m represents a number of 0 or 1; and * indicates asymmetric carbon atom) and a process for producing such derivatives through the following reaction steps: ##STR2## A process for the hydrolysis of ester derivatives of (I) using esterase is described.The optically active aromatic carboxylic acid derivatives represented by the above-described formula (I) are useful as a liquid crystal material and can be also utilized as an intermediate for the preparation of pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals and the like.

Abstract: An optically active pyrimidine compound represented by general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R represents a fluoroalkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atom(s), R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group having 1-15 carbon atoms or an alkoxyalkyl group having 2-15 carbon atoms, both the alkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups being optionally substituted by halogen atom, Y represents --O--, --COO-- or --OCO--, A represents: ##STR2## wherein X represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, m and s each represent 0 or 1, and the C* means an asymmetric carbon atom; a process for producing said pyrimidine compound; and a liquid crystal composition containing said pyrimidine compound.