PURPOSE: To obtain a new fluorine-substituted cyclohexane derivative having low viscosity and high crystallizability, useful as a material for liquid crystal display element, producible a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition capable of responding at high speed, having a wide temperature range and excellent orientation.
CONSTITUTION: A compound of formula I (R1 and R2 are 1-18C alkyl; X is O or single bond) such as 1-(4-octyloxyphenyl)-4-fluoro-4-octylcyclohexane. The compound is produced by reacting a Grignard compound of formula III, them reacting the prepared 1,4-disubstituted cyclohexanol derivative of formula IV with a fluorinating agent such as diethylaminosulfur trifuoride (DAST). A ferroelectric liquid crystal composition containing the compound as a constituent composition, especially a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition comprising a smectic parent material liquid crystal containing preferably 2-35wt.%, more preferably 5-25wt.% of the compound and an optically active compound (chiral dopant) shows the above-mentioned effects.
TAKEHARA SADAO
NAKAMURA KAYOKO
