Abstract: The present invention relates to mesogenic, cross-linkable mixtures comprising (i) a cross-linkable liquid crystalline host compound comprising at least one cross-linkable liquid crystalline compound, and (ii) at least one chiral or achiral rod shaped additive component, wherein said additive component has a rigid core and comprises at least two fused or linked, optionally substituted, non-aromatic, aromatic, carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups, and also comprises at least one optionally substituted alkyl residue, and at least one polymerizable group and wherein the additive component has a transition temperature to the isotropic state of 40° C. or lower.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mesogenic, cross-linkable mixtures comprising (i) a cross-linkable liquid crystalline host compound comprising at least one cross-linkable liquid crystalline compound, and (ii) at least one chiral or achiral rod shaped additive component, wherein said additive component has a rigid core and comprises at least two fused or linked, optionally substituted, non-aromatic, aromatic, carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups, and also comprises at least one optionally substituted alkyl residue, and at least one polymerizable group and wherein the additive component has a transition temperature to the isotropic state of 40° C. or lower.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) wherein G1 and G2 independently represent a polymerisable mesogenic residue, X and Sp are as defined herein and M represents an achiral group of formula (II) as defined herein. The compounds of the invention may, for example, be useful as curable liquid crystals and for preparing liquid crystal films.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) wherein G1 and G2 independently represent a polymerizable mesogenic residue, and X, Sp, and Q are as defined herein. The compounds of the invention may, for example, be useful as curable liquid crystals and for preparing liquid crystal films.

Abstract: Compounds with the general formula (I): R—S1—A—Z1—B—S2—R, where A and B are independent ring systems with the formulae (a1), (a2) or (b), whereby in the trans-1,4-cyclohexylene ring, one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups may be replaced by oxygen, and whereby, in the 1,4-phenylene ring, one or two non-adjacent CH groups may be replaced by nitrogen; L1, L2, L3 represent, independently, hydrogen, C1-C20-alkyl, C1-C20-alkenyl, C1-C20-alkyloxy, C1-C20-alkyloxy carbonyl, formyl, C1C20-alkyl carbonyl, C1-C20-alkyl carbonyloxy, halogen, cyano or nitro; Z1, Z2, Z3 represent, independently, a single bond, —CH2CH2—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —COO—, —OOC—, —(CH2)4—, —O(CH2)3—, —(CH2)3O— or —C≡C—; S1, S2 represent a spacer unit; R represents crosslinkable groups, with the proviso that at least one of the ring systems A or B represents a ring system with the formula (a1

Abstract: Polymerisable optically active compounds have the general formula: ##STR1## where: W.sup.1 denotes a polymerisable residue,S.sup.1 denotes a spacer unit,Y.sup.1 denotes a single bond, or one of the groups --O--, --COO--, --OOC--, --OCOO--, --S--, --CONH-- or --NHCO--,M denotes a divalent mesogenic group, andR.sup.1 and R.sup.2 denote straight chain, branched or cyclic alkyl groups with up to 8 carbon atom.

Abstract: Optically active .alpha.-bromo- or .alpha.-chlorocarboxylic compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is bromine or chlorine;M is hydrogen, NR.sub.4.sup.+1 or a cation of an alkali or alkaline earth metal;R.sup.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl;n is 0 or 1;R is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl substituted in the terminal position with --NR.sup.2.sub.2, --COOR.sup.2, --OR.sup.3, a free or protected --CHO group or a ring A;R.sup.2 is hydrogen or a lower alkyl;R.sup.3 is hydrogen or a protecting group;ring A is an unsubstituted or substituted ring; and* is a center of chirality,are prepared by enantioselectively hydrogenating, in the presence of a ruthenium complex of an optically active diphosphine ligand, a (Z)-.alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated compound of the general formula ##STR2## wherein R, n, X and M are as defined above.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents vinyl or straight-chain alkenyl with 3 to 7 carbon atoms,the manufacture of such compounds, liquid crystalline mixtures which contain such compounds as well as the use of such compounds for electro-optical purposes.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of compounds of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 signifies hydroxy or an etherified hydroxy group, and of zeaxanthin by converting a compound of the general formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 has the above significance, in an inert organic solvent into the acetylenide and reacting this with methyl vinyl ketone, reducing the alcoholate obtained or the alcohol (obtained after hydrolysis of the alcoholate) of the general formula ##STR3## wherein R.sup.1 has the above significance, in an inert organic solvent with an aluminum hydride of the general formulaR.sub.x MAlH.sub.4-x IIIwherein M signifies alkali metal, R represents C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkoxy or a group of the formula C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 --O--C.sub.m H.sub.2m --O--, m and n each individually denote whole numbers of 1 to 7 and x stands for 0, 1, 2 or 3,and subsequently hydrolyzing to give the compound of formula IV and, if desired, converting the compound of formula IV obtained into zeaxanthin.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of compounds of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 signifies hydroxy or an etherified hydroxy group, and of zeaxanthin by converting a compound of the general formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 has the above significance, in an inert organic solvent into the acetylenide and reacting this with methyl vinyl ketone, reducing the alcoholate obtained or the alcohol (obtained after hydrolysis of the alcoholate) of the general formula ##STR3## wherein R.sup.1 has the above significance, and subsequently hydrolyzing to give the compound of formula IV and, if desired, converting the compound of formula IV obtained into zeaxanthin.

Abstract: A process for producing cycloketones of a 5 or 6 carbon chain length through which said ketones are known intermediates for producing carotenoids.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein n is either 0 or 1; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, hydroxy, oxo group, a protected hydroxy or protected oxo group; R.sup.3 is hydroxy oxo group, .dbd.CH--CH.sub.2 --OH, .dbd.CH--CHO or one of the foregoing groups where the hydroxy or oxo functions are protected; R.sup.4 is --CO--OR.sup.6, --CO--R.sup.6, --CO--NR.sup.6 R.sup.7, --CO--Cl or --SO.sub.2 --R.sup.6 ; R.sup.6 is saturated or aromatic hydrocarbon; and R.sup.7 is saturated or aromatic hydrocarbon or hydrogen,are converted by cleavage of R.sup.4 OH into corresponding cycloalkenes and protecting groups, if present, are hydrolyzed.The compounds obtained are valuable intermediates in carotenoid syntheses.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of 3-hydroxy-2,6,6,-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-2-one, an intermediate in canthaxanthin synthesis, by isomerizing 1,1,3-trimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-2-one in the presence of a palladium(O) complex of an acetone derivative of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are aryl and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are hydrogen or monovalent hydrocarbon groups optionally carrying a carbonyl function, a bis-(diphenylphosphino) derivative of the formula(R.sup.5).sub.2 P--R.sup.6 --P(R.sup.5).sub.2wherein R.sup.5 is phenyl or tolyl and R.sup.6 is a C.sub.2 --C.sub.4 -alkylene group optionally substituted with one or more inert organic groups, and a triarylphosphine of the formulaP(R.sup.7).sub.3wherein R.sup.7 is an optionally alkyl-substituted phenyl group.

Abstract: A process for producing 3-(5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,3-pentadienyl)-2,4,4-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one, an intermediate for canthaxanthin, by hydrogenation of 5-(2,6,6-trimethyl-3-oxo-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3-methyl-2-penten-4-yn-1-ol with zinc and a carboxylic acid.