Abstract: Liquid crystal compositions which are novel and specified TND compositions having a broad useful temperature range are provided by combining the following groups of compounds and specifying the individual and total amounts of compound or compounds in each group (mol % relative to the total composition). Said groups are1. two kinds of specified compounds selected from 4-cyano-4"-n-alkylterphenyls, or one kind of compound selected from the above-mentioned specified compounds,2. three kinds or two kinds of specified compounds selected from 4-cyano-4'-n-alkylbiphenyls, and3. three or more than three kinds of compounds selected from specified 6 kinds of compounds selected from 4-cyano-4'-n-alkoxybiphenyls.

Abstract: Novel nematic liquid crystal compounds having a broad nematic temperature range and a positive dielectric anisotropy by themselves, that is, p-cyanophenyl 4-alkyl-4'-biphenylcarboxylates wherein the alkyl is a straight chain alkyl group having 4-8 carbon atoms or a branched alkyl group having 4-7 carbon atoms and having methyl group as branched group, and a method for preparing the same are provided. Further, novel nematic liquid crystal compositions having a broader nematic temper range i.e. a sufficiently lower nematic limit and a sufficiently higher upper nematic limit is provided by using said compounds.