Abstract: A liquid crystal thermoset (LCT) monomer or oligomer having both ends capped with maleimide having at least one methyl group, represented by Formula 1: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently CH3 or H, and at least one of R1 and R2 is a methyl group, and Ar1 is a divalent organic group containing one or more structural units selected from the group consisting of ester, amide, ester amide, ester imide and ether imide units, and Ar1 has a molecular weight not greater than 5,000.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium comprising 1,2-difluoroethene compounds of the general formula I, in which R1, ring A, Z1, Z2, m, X and L1-6 are as defined in claim 1. The invention also relates to the use of the medium for electro-optical purposes and to displays containing this medium. Novel 1,2-difluoroethene compounds having 3 or more rings are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single layer or multilayer polymeric structures that comprise a liquid crystalline polymer barrier resin. Such films have improved optical clarity and lower surface roughness measurements, without sacrificing desired barrier properties. These structures are useful for many packaging applications including pouches and bags and lidding applications.

Abstract: Liquid crystal compositions comprising compounds including at least one mesogenic substructure and at least one long flexible segment and a compound selected from a photochromic compound, a dichroic compound and a photochromic-dichroic compound and methods of synthesizing the same and their use in articles of manufacture and ophthalmic devices are disclosed.

Abstract: The liquid crystal composition includes at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (1) as a first component, has a positive dielectric anisotropy, and has a nematic phase, and a liquid crystal display element containing the composition: wherein R11 and R12 are alkyls having different carbon numbers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds, characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds of the formula I and one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae IA, IB and IC in which R1, R1A, R1B, R1C, X, XA, XB, b and L1-6, rings A and B have the meanings indicated in claim 1.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase that includes three components, wherein the first component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (1-1) and (1-2), the second component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds having a group represented by formula (2), and the third component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (3-1) and (3-2): wherein R1 and R4 are each independently alkyl having 1 to 12 carbons, alkoxy having 1 to 12 carbons, alkenyl having 2 to 12 carbons, or alkenyl having 2 to 12 carbons in which arbitrary hydrogen is replaced by fluorine; ring A is independently 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, 1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene, or 2,5-pyrimidine; ring B, ring C, ring D and ring F are each independently 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; ring E is 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene; Z1 is a single bo

Abstract: The invention relates to a high dielectric anisotropy liquid crystal compound which is a pyridyl derivative with substituents of electrons push-pull effect. Furthermore, the high dielectric anisotropy liquid crystal compounds are colorless and have high thermal and photo stability as well as high compatibility in a liquid crystal host. A liquid crystal composition containing the high dielectric anisotropy liquid crystal compound can reduce threshold voltage of cholesteric reflective displays, thus saving power and extending lifetime of driver ICs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal composition characterized by containing 15% by mass or more of a compound having a terminal structure represented by the general formula (I) below. This liquid crystal composition has high dielectric constant anisotropy (?) and low rotational viscosity (?1), and is thus suitably used as a liquid crystal composition for IPS liquid crystal displays or low voltage-driven TN liquid crystal displays. (I) (In the above formula, Q represents a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group having 1-8 carbon atoms which may be substituted by a halogen atom.

Abstract: A liquid crystal compound represented by the formula CH2?CR1—COO-(L)k-E1-E2-E3-E4-R2 wherein R1: a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R2: a C1-8 alkyl group; k: 0 or 1; L: —(CH2)pO— or —(CH2)q— (wherein each of p and q which are independent of each other, is an integer of from 2 to 8); E1: a 1,4-phenylene group; E2, E3, E4: each independently a 1,4-phenylene group or a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group and at least one of E2 and E3 is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group, provided that the 1,4-phenylene group and trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group in E1 to E4, may be such that a hydrogen atom bonded to a carbon atom in each group may be substituted by a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom or a methyl group. To provide a novel liquid crystal compound for preparing an optical element which can exhibit a proper Rd value depending upon usable wavelength and application and which is excellent in durability against a blue laser beam.

Abstract: An electro-optical device including a biaxial liquid crystal having a primary and secondary director is provided. A change in orientation of at least one of the directors due to an applied electric field produces a change in the optical state of the device. Response times are increased dramatically over uniaxial nematic based liquid crystal devices, offering improved performance and efficiency.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition having a negative dielectric anisotropy that includes two components, wherein the first component is a specific two-ring compound having phenylene, two hydrogens of which are replaced by fluorine, and the second component is a specific four-ring compound having phenylene, one hydrogen of which is replaced by fluorine, and a liquid crystal display device including the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymerisable liquid crystal (LC) material, to optically biaxial films prepared thereof, to novel polymerisable compounds used therein and to the use of the material and films in optical devices like compensators and LC displays (LCDs).

Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid-crystalline medium, which contains a compound of formula I and the use thereof for electro-optical purposes, in particular for TN, TFT, IPS or OCB displays.

Abstract: A dielectrically positive liquid crystalline media comprising: a first dielectrically positive component, component A, comprising a dielectrically neutral compound of formula I wherein the parameters have the meanings defined herein; a second dielectrically positive component, component B, comprising one or more dielectrically positive compounds having a dielectric anisotropy of more than 3; and optionally a dielectrically neutral component, component C, comprising one or more dielectrically neutral compounds having a dielectric anisotropy in the range from ?1.5 to 3, are suitable for use in liquid crystal displays, especially active matrix displays, and in particular TN and to IPS displays.

Abstract: A polymerizable liquid crystal composition excellent in storage stability and UV curing property and a polymer thereof are provided. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition contains a compound represented by formula (1) as a component (A), an optically active compound represented by formula (2) as a component (B), and a mixture of a photopolymerization initiator and a photosensitizer as a component (C), and a ratio of the component (A) is from 77 to 98% by weight, a ratio of the component (B) is from 1 to 15% by weight, and a ratio of the component (C) is from 1 to 8% by weight, based on a total weight of the composition: wherein Z independently represents a single bond or alkylene having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Y1 independently represents a single bond or —O—; R1 represents methyl or ethyl; A1 and A2 each independently represents 1,4-phenylene or 4,4?-biphenylene; Y2 represents —COO— or —OCO—; Q represents a single bond or oxyalkylene having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and p represents 0 or 1.

Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid crystal medium having a birefringence at 20° C. that is lower than 0.08 and contains 1-30% by weight of one or more compounds of formula IA, 1-10% by weight of one or more compounds of formula IB, 0-9% by weight of one or more compounds of formula IC, and the use of the medium for electro-optical purposes, and to displays containing the medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dielectrically positive, nematic liquid crystalline media having a small frequency dependence of the dielectric anisotropy. The media are particularly well suited for application in active matrix displays. The present invention relates to the use of the inventive media in active matrix displays, as well as to these active matrix displays themselves.

Abstract: The invention relates to bimesogenic compounds of formula (I): R1-MG1-X1-Sp-X2-MG2-R2 wherein R1, R2, MG1, MG2, X1, X2 and Sp have the meaning given in claim 1, to the use of bimesogenic compounds of formula (I) in liquid crystal media and devices, in particular in flexoelectric liquid crystal devices, to liquid crystal media and devices, in particular flexoelectric devices, comprising bimesogenic compounds of formula (I) and to improvements in flexoelectric devices.

Abstract: The compound of the invention is represented by Formula (1a) or Formula (1b) wherein R1 is a monovalent group; P1 and P2 are a monovalent group having an acrylic group and a hydroxyl group; A1, A2, and B1 are a divalent cyclic group; X1, X2, X3, X4, Y1 and Y2 are a bonding group.

Abstract: The invention relates to multireactive polymerizable mesogenic compounds of formula I R1-MG-R2??I wherein R1, R2 and MG have the meaning given in claim 1, to a polymerizable mesogenic composition comprising at least two components, at least one which is a compound of formula I, to a linear or crosslinked polymer obtainable by polymerization of one or more compounds of formula I or of a polymerizable composition comprising one or more compounds of formula I and to the use of a compound of formula I, or a polymerizable composition or polymer obtainable thereof, in optical elements such as polarizers, optical retardation or compensation films, alignment layers, colour filters or holographic elements, in liquid crystal displays such as PDLC, polymer gel or polymer stabilized cholesteric texture (PSCT) displays, in adhesives, synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties, cosmetics, diagnostics or liquid crystal pigments, for decorative and security applications, and for nonlinear optics or optical inf

Abstract: A new liquid crystal compound comprises two condensed and substituted rings. The ring preferably is a five-membered heterocyclic ring. The heterocyclic ring is preferably condensed with benzene ring or an aromatic six-membered heterocyclic ring. The benzene ring or the aromatic six-membered heterocyclic ring is preferably substituted with a group comprising a cyclic structure and a chain structure. The liquid crystal compound is advantageously used in preparation of a thin phase retarder, such as a wide-ranged ?/4 plate, which gives inverse wavelength distribution. The phase retarder can be easily produced according to a simple process by using the new liquid crystal compound.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystalline composition, which can be obtained by mixing a plurality of liquid crystalline compositions each of which can exhibit different liquid crystal phases from one another, being capable of exhibiting a biaxial liquid crystal phase, a liquid crystalline composition contains a liquid crystalline composition R which exhibits a liquid crystal phase having a positive birefringence; and a liquid crystalline composition D which exhibits a liquid crystal phase having a negative birefringence, in which the liquid crystalline composition R comprises a compound having a rectangular plate-like shape.

Abstract: The compound provided by the present invention is a polymerizable optically active compound represented by Formula (1): wherein R1 is hydrogen, chlorine or bromine; R2 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; A1 is 1,4-phenylene, biphenyl-4,4?-diyl, naphthalene-2,6-diyl or pyridine-2,5-diyl, provided that in the 1,4-phenylene arbitrary hydrogen may be replaced by chlorine, bromine or fluorine, and in the biphenyl-4,4?-diyl arbitrary hydrogen may be replaced by chlorine, bromine or fluorine; and X1 is a single bond, —CH?CH— or —CH2CH2—.

Abstract: The invention reports on the use of multi-reactive polymerizable surfactants in mixtures of polymerizable mesogenic materials. The polymerizable surfactants are readily polymerized into the liquid crystal film and build a protective topcoat layer. The invention also relates to a method of producing polymeric optical films with improved stability by using the surfactants. Uses of these films are given for various applications including security applications and displays.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition containing at least one compound represented by formula (1) as a first component and at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2) and (3), but not containing a compound represented by formula (4), and having a negative dielectric anisotropy: wherein R1 is alkyl or alkenyl; R2 is alkyl or alkoxy; R3 is alkyl or alkoxymethyl; R4 is alkyl; R6 is alkyl, alkenyl or alkoxy; A1 and A2 are independently 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; A3 is 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene; Z1 is a single bond or —COO—; and n is 0 or 1.

Abstract: What are provided include a liquid crystal composition that satisfies many characteristics among the characteristics such as a wide temperature range of a nematic phase, a suitable optical anisotropy, a negatively large dielectric anisotropy, and a large specific resistance, a liquid crystal composition that satisfies the characteristics and simultaneously has a small optical anisotropy and a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, and preferably approximately ?20° C. or less, and a liquid crystal display device containing the composition.

Abstract: A liquid crystal compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (a): wherein Ra and Rb are each independently hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons or alkenyl having 2 to 10 carbons, provided that in the alkyl, —CH2— may be replaced by —O—, but plural —O— are not adjacent to each other, and hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; ring A1 and ring A2 are each independently trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene, provided that one or two hydrogens of the 1,4-phenylene may be replaced by halogen, and in a 6-membered ring of these groups, one —CH2— or two —CH2— that are not adjacent to each other may be replaced by —O—, and one or two —CH? may be replaced by —N?; Z1 and Z2 are each independently a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —(CH2)4—, —CH?CH—, —C?—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —COO—, —OCO— or —OCF2—; l and m are each independently 0, 1 or 2, provided that l+m is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and n is an integer of from 0 to 6, provided that in —(CH2)n—, —CH2— may be replaced by —O—, but plural —O— are not adjacent to eac

Abstract: Main chain thermotropic liquid crystal esters, ester-imides, and ester-amides were prepared from AA, BB, and AB type monomeric materials and end-capped with phenylacetylene, phenylmaleimide, or nadimide reactive end-groups. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are thermotropic and have, preferably, molecular weights in the range of approximately 1000-15,000 grams per mole. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers have broad liquid crystalline melting ranges and exhibit high melt stability and very low melt viscosities at accessible temperatures. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are stable for up to an hour in the melt phase. They are highly processable by a variety of melt process shape forming and blending techniques. Once processed and shaped, the end-capped liquid crystal oligomers were heated to further polymerize and form liquid crystalline thermosets (LCT). The fully cured products are rubbers above their glass transition temperatures.

Abstract: Such a polymerizable liquid crystal composition is to be provided that is excellent in stability in a solution state, shows good coating property on a supporting substrate, and has a uniform homeotropic alignment property. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition contains an acrylate compound, an epoxy compound and a bisphenol fluorene compound. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition contains a compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formulae (1-1) and (1-2) as a component (A), a compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (2) as a component (B), a compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formulae (3-1) to (3-3) as a component (C) and a compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formulae (4-1A), (4-1B), (4-2), (4-3), (4-4) and (4-5) as a component (D), and may optionally contain a compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formulae (5-1) and (5-2) as a component (E).

Abstract: The invention is to provide such a polymerizable liquid crystal composition that is excellent in stability in a solution state, shows good coating property on a supporting substrate, and has uniform homeotropic alignment property. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition of the invention contains an acrylate compound and a bisphenol fluorene compound. The bisphenol fluorene compound is effective for controlling uniform homeotropic alignment of the polymerizable liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid crystal medium with a highly twisted structure, to the use of said medium for optoelectronic applications in the fields of non-linear optics (NLO) and laser optics and to electrooptic devices, displays and lasers containing said medium.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition, and a liquid crystal display containing the same, having a nematic phase including three components, wherein the first component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formula (1), the second component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formula (2), and the third component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formula (3): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl having approximately 1 to approximately 12 carbons or alkenyl having approximately 2 to approximately 12 carbons; R3 is alkyl having approximately 1 to approximately 12 carbons or alkoxy having approximately 1 to approximately 12 carbons; R4 and R5 are each independently alkyl having approximately 1 to approximately 12 carbons; X1 is fluorine, chlorine, —OCF2H, —CF3 or —OCF3; Y1 is hydrogen or fluorine; and m and n are each independently 0 or 1.

Abstract: A polymerizable liquid crystal composition includes a liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group, wherein the composition includes from 0.1 to 6.0% by weight of a (meth)acrylic copolymer (H), which 1) has a side chain containing a fluorine group, and a side chain containing a group represented by a general formula (h): 2) has a fluorine group content of 3 to 30% by weight, 3) has a ratio of side chains containing the group represented by the general formula (h) relative to the combined total of all side chains that falls within a range from 9 to 95 mol %, and 4) has a weight average molecular weight within a range from 10,000 to 300,000.

Abstract: A dielectrically positive liquid crystalline media comprising a dielectrically positive component, component A, comprising a dielectrically positive compound of formula I wherein the parameters have the meaning given in the specification, and optionally a second dielectrically positive component, component B, comprising one or more dielectrically positive compounds having a dielectric anisotropy of more than 3 and optionally a dielectric neutral component, component C, is suitable for use in liquid crystal displays, especially active matrix displays, and, in particular, TN and to IPS displays.

Abstract: The present compound represented by formula(I) CH2?CR1—COO—(L)k-E1-E2-E3-(E4)m-(E5)n-R2??(1) provided that the symbols in the formula have the following meanings: R1: a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R2: a C1-8 alkyl group; L: —(CH2)pO—, —(CH2)q—, -Cy-COO— (Cy is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group), -Cy-OCO—, -E6-(CH2)2—, -E7-CH2O— or -E8-O— (wherein each of p and q which are independent of each other, is an integer of from 2 to 8); E1, E2, E3 E4, E5, E6, E7, E8: each independently a 1,4-pheneylene group or a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group (provided that at least one of E1, E2 and E3 is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group, and in a case where L is -Cy-OCO—, E1 is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group),and k, m, n: each independently 0 or 1, provided that when k is 1 and L is -Cy-COO—, -Cy-OCO—, -E6-(CH2)2—, -E7-CH2O— or -E8-O—, at least one of m and n is 0. The present compound is useful for liquid crystal composition and optical element.

Abstract: A dihydrocoumarin ring-containing compound of the invention is represented by the following formula (1): wherein R represents hydrogen or an alkyl; A1 to A3 each represents 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; Z1 to Z3 each represents a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH?CH—, —CF?CF—, —C?C—, —(CH2)4—, —O(CH2)2O—, —(CH2)2CF2O—, —(CH2)2OCF2—, —CF2O(CH2)2—, —OCF2(CH2)2—, —CH?CH—CH2O—, or —OCH2—CH?CH—; X represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, —CN, —CF3, —CHF2, —CH2F, —OCF3, —OCHF2, or —OCH2F; G represents oxygen or sulfur; and n and m each represents 0, 1, or 2.

Abstract: The compound (1) according to the invention has general solid-state properties necessary for a compound, stability against heat, light and the like, a suitable optical anisotropy, a suitable dielectric anisotropy, and excellent compatibility with other liquid crystalline compounds. The liquid crystal composition according to the invention contains at least one compound represented by formula (1). The liquid crystal display element according to the invention contains the composition. The compound (1) is represented by formula (1): wherein Ra, Rb, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, Z11, Z12, Z13, Z14, Z15, Z16, Y1, Y2, k, l, m, n, p and q are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: The present invention provides organogermanium compounds and liquid crystal compositions comprising such a compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystalline mixture comprising a) 1-25% by weight of at least one compound of the formula I b) 5-80% by weight of at least one compound of the formula II c) and optionally 1-20% by weight of at least one chiral compound with a HTP of ?20 ?m, wherein R11, A11, Z11, A12, Z12, L11, L12, L13, L14, Z13, A13, Z14, A14, X11, a, b, c, d, R12, A1, Z1, A2, Z2, A3, L1, L2, X12, m and n have the meanings given in claim 1 and their use in TFT, TN, IPS applications and expecially for devices utilizing electro-optical effects in an optically isotropic state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds, characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds of the formula I in which R1, L1 and L2 are as defined in claim 1, and to the use thereof for electro-optical purposes, in particular TN monitor applications.

Abstract: A polymerizable liquid crystalline composition comprises a side chain liquid crystalline polymer obtained by radical-copolymerizing a (meth)acrylic compound has an optically active site and a (meth)acrylic compound having an oxetanyl group, and a cation generator and thus have no functional group the synthesis of which is difficult, such as an epoxy group. The use of the polymerizable liquid crystalline composition provides a cholesteric liquid crystal film which is excellent in a capability of retaining the orientation after being aligned and fixed in a liquid crystal orientation and in mechanical strength without the necessity of a complicated operation such as photo irradiation under an inert gas atmosphere.

Abstract: Provided are a polymerizing liquid-crystalline compound of formula (1). In formula (1), Q1 to Q4 each independently represent a formula (2), a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group or the like; at least two of Q1 to Q4 are a formula (2) and may differ from each other. In formula (2), A independently represent a 1,4-cyclohexylene group, a 1,4-phenylene group or the like; X independently represents a single bond, an alkylene group or the like; Z represents a single bond, —COO—, —OCO— or the like; n indicates an integer of from 0 to 3; p represents any one polymerizing group of formulae (P1) to (P8); W represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group or the like. When Q1 and Q2 are both hydrogen atoms and when Q3 and Q4 are both formula (2), then p must not be (P8).

Abstract: Provided are a liquid-crystal compound and a liquid-crystal composition containing the compound, of which the advantages are that they show nematic hybrid orientation on a rubbed TAC substrate, they are polymerizable in open air and they readily give a polymer having a high degree of polymerization even when exposed to a relatively small total quantity of light. The films formed by photopolymerizing them keep nematic hybrid orientation. The compound is represented by formula (1): wherein R1 is a hydrogen or an alkyl; R2 is a hydrogen, —OCF3, etc.; A1 is a 1,4-phenylene, etc.; A2 and A3 are independently a 1,4-cyclohexylene, a 1,4-phenylene, etc.; X1 is a single bond, —O—, etc.; X2 and X3 are independently a single bond, —COO—, —C?C—, —CONH—, etc.; m is an integer of from 0 to 20; and n is 1 or 0.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition having a negative dielectric anisotropy and containing at least one compound represented by formula (1), at least one compound represented by formula (2), at least one compound represented by formula (4), at least one compound represented by formula (5), and at least one compound represented by formula (6), and the composition essentially consisting of these components: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 is, for example, alkyl; A1, A2 and A3 is, for example, 1,4-phenylene; Z1 is a single bond, —CH2O— or —COO—; and Z2 is a single bond or —COO—.

Abstract: A mixture which is polymerizable to polymers exhibiting a high optical anisotropy which is stable during polymerization. The mixture contains a first monomer or (and/or) oligomer having two or more polymerizable functional groups and optionally a mesogenic group; a second monomer or oligomer bearing at least one mesogenic group having an aromatic double ring structure and only one polymerizable group; and from 1 to 50% by weight of a monomer non-polymerizable with the first or second monomer, but which also contains a mesogenic group having an aromatic double ring structure.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid-crystalline polyester with good properties obtainable by subjecting a prepolymer consisting of the repeating units represented by formulae (I), (II), (III) and (IV): to heat treatment in a substantially solid state.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition having a negative dielectric anisotropy and containing at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (1) as a first component, at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (2) as a second component, at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (3) as a third component, and at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (4) as a fourth component: wherein the liquid crystal composition consists essentially of the first component, the second component, the third component and the fourth component and wherein R1 is alkyl or alkenyl; R2 is alkyl or alkoxy; R3 is alkyl or alkoxymethyl; R4 is alkyl; A1 is 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; A2 is 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or 2-fluoro-1,4-phenhlene; and Z1 is a single bond or —COO—.

Abstract: The compound (1) or (2), a composition containing the compound and a polymer obtained by polymerizing the composition. R1 is fluorine, cyano, alkyl, and so forth; R2 is hydrogen, alkyl, and so forth; R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen, fluorine, alkyl, and so forth; A is 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene, and so forth; X is a single bond, —COO—, —OCO—, and so forth; P is alkylene and so forth; m and n are independently 0, 1 or 2.

Abstract: In order to obtain such a liquid crystal thin film having optical anisotropy that suffers less change in optical characteristics thereof under heating to 200° C., the following polymerizable liquid crystal composition is provided as a raw material therefor. The composition contains Compound (1) and at least one of Compound (2) and Compound (3), with a proportion of Compound (1) being from 50 to 99% by weight, a proportion of Compound (2) being from 0 to 50% by weight, and a proportion of Compound (3) being from 0 to 50% by weight: wherein R is alkyl; each of W1 and W2 is independently hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine or —CH3; each of W3 and W4 is independently hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, —CH3 or —CF3; W5 is alkyl having, alkoxy, chlorine, fluorine, —CN or —OCF3; X is a single bond, —CH?CH— or —CH2CH2—; Z is a single bond, —COO—, —OCO— or —CH2CH2—; and q is an integer of from 1 to 20.