PURPOSE: To obtain a new optically inactive liquid crystal compound capable of providing a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition having a large tilt angle even by its addition into the composition so as to improve the responsiveness of the liquid crystal composition to electric fields in preparing the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition.

CONSTITUTION: The objective optically inactive liquid crystal composition of formula I [Rf is branched fluoroalkyl; R1 is formula II, III, IV or V; R2 is 4-20C optically inactive alkyl; (k) is 1-20; Y is single bond, O, COO or OCO], e.g. a compound of formula VI. This compound of formula I, e.g. the exemplified compound of formula VI is obtained by reacting a compound of formula VII with a compound of formula VIII, providing a compound of formula IX and then reacting the resultant compound of formula IX with 3-(trifluoromethyl) butyric acid.