PURPOSE: To obtain an optically active difluoromethyl compound usable as a liquid crystal composition and an optical switching element and useful as a material for an element relating to optoelectronics.
CONSTITUTION: An optically active difluoromethyl compound of formula I (Ar is aromatic group; R1 is a 1-20C alkyl, 1-20C alkoxy or 1-20C acyloxy; R2 is a 1-20C alkyl,1-20C alkoxyalkyl or 1-20C acyl), e.g. (R)-4-(1-difluoromethyl-2- butoxyethyl)phenyl-4-(4-decoxy) benzoate of formula II. The exemplified compound of formula II in the compounds of formula I can be produced by reacting (R)-4-(1-difluoromethyl-2-butoxyethyl) phenol with 4-decoxybenzoic acid. The compound of formula I is useful as a ferroelectric liquid crystal or a component of a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition.
SAITO NORIYUKI
KAWAKAMI MARIKO
