NEW MATERIAL:The compound of formula I (R is 1W10C alkyl; X is F or Cl).

EXAMPLE: 4-Fluorobenzyl 4'-(trans-4"-propylcyclohexyl)phenyl ether.

USE: A liquid crystal compound. Since the compound has a dielectric anisotropy (Δ) of about +0.5, it can be used for suppressing the Δ of a liquid crystal composition as a whole. There is no increase of the threshold voltage and saturation voltage, and the power consumption of the display element can be minimized. The N-I point of the composition can also be improved.

PROCESS: The compound of formula I can be prepared by (1) reducing 4'-alkyl-1'- cyclohexen-1'-yl-4-methoxybenzene in ethanol in the presence of a Pd/C catalyst under atmospheric pressure at 50°C, (2) reacting the product with boron tribromide to eliminate the methoxy group to obtain the compound of formula II, and (3) reacting the compound of formula II with 4-halogeno-benzyl chloride in acetone in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate.