PURPOSE: A liquid crystal composition which is useful for color liquid crystal display and comprises a novel red or purple dyestuff suitable for blending, containing a specific quinodimethane dyestuff.

CONSTITUTION: The aimed liquid crystal composition containing a quinodimethane dyestuff shown by formula I (X is H or halogen). The dyestuff, for example, is obtained by a diazoindandione derivative shown by formula II with triphenylcarbinol ether in the presence of a catalytic amount of rhodium acetate to synthesize a compound shown by formula III, then treating the compound with an acid to cause dealcoholization reaction and to give the quinodimethane dyestuff.