Liquid crystal composition

Claim 2

A nematic liquid crystal composition which comprises (i) one or more optically active substances which are the same in the helical twist sense to one another and give a positive temperature dependency in the twistability (in terms of the reciprocal of the intrinsic helical pitch thereof) of the cholesteric phase induced when individually added to a mix of one or more nematic liquid crystals, and (ii) one or more nematic liquid crystals.

Claim 3

A nematic liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the optically active substances are selected from compounds expressed by the formula (Ia), those expressed by the formula (Ib) and those expressed by the formula (Ic), and have an optically active wherein in the above formula (Ia), , and each independently represent benzene ring, cyclohexane ring, dioxane ring, pyrimidine ring or pyridine ring; ℓ and m each represent an integer of 0,1 or 2; n represents an integer of 1 or 2; the total value of (ℓ +m+n) is 1 to 4; X represents a single bond, -CH 2 - or -CH 2 CH 2 -; Y represents a single bond when ℓ=0; Z represents a single bond when m=0; Y and Z each independently represent -CH 2 O-, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH- when ℓ.m ≢0; R represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or cyano group; R 1 represents a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and X represents a single bond when R is cyano group; in the above formula (Ib), , and each independently represent benzene ring, cyclohexane ring, dioxane ring, pyrimidine ring or pyridine ring; x and z each represent an integer of 0 or 1; y represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2; the total value of (x + y + z) is 0 ~ 2; X 1 represents a single bond, -CH 2 O-or -CH 2 CH 2 -; Y 1 represents a single bond when y = 0, and Y 1 represents -CH 2 0-, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH- when y is 1 or 2; Z 1 represents a single bond, CH 2 O-, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH-; T l , T 2 , T 3 and T 4 each independently represent hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or cyano group; R 2 represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or cyano group or a halogen atom, and X 1 represents a single bond when R 2 is cyano group or a halogen atom; and R 1 represents a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and in the above formula (Ic), , and each independently represent benzene ring, cyclohexane ring, dioxane ring, pyrimidine ring or pyridine ring; x and z each represent an integer of 0 or 1; y represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2; the total value of (x + y + z ) is 0 to 2; Y 1 represents a single bond when y=0, and Y 1 represents -CH 2 0-, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH- when y is 1 or 2; Z 1 represents a single bond, -CH 2 0 -, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH-; T 1 , T 2 , T 3 and T 4 each independently represent hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or cyano group; and R 1 and R 3 each independently represent a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms.

Claim 4

A nematic liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 wherein said optically active substances selected from compounds expressed by the formula (Ia), compounds expressed by the formula (Ib) and compounds expressed by the formula (Ic) are contained in a quantity in the range of 0.05 to 10% by weight in said composition.

Claim 5

A nematic liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 wherein said optically active substances are expressed by the formula (III) wherein a represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2; b represents an integer of 1 or 2; the value of (a + b) is 2 or 3; V 1 represents a single bond when a=0, and represents -COO-, -OCO-, -CH 2 0-, -OCH 2 - or -CH 2 CH 2 - when a is 1 or 2; and R and R 1 are as defined above.

Claim 6

A nematic liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 wherein said optically active substances are expressed by the formula (IV) wherein c and d each represent an integer of 0 or 1; V 2 represents a single bond, -COO- or -OCO-; T 1 , T 2 1 T 3 and T 4, each represent hydrogen atom, halogen atom or cyano group: and R 1 and R 2 each are as defined above.

Claim 7

A nematic liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 wherein said optically active substances are expressed by the formula (V) wherein e represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2; f represents an integer of 1 or 2; the value of (e + f) is 1 to 3; V represents a single bond when e = 0, and represents -COO- or -CH 2 0- when e is 1 or 2; and R 1 and R 3 are as defined above.

Claim 8

A nematic liquid crystal composition which comprises (i) one or more optically active substances which give a positive temperature dependency in the twistability (in terms of the reciprocal of the intrinsic helical pitch thereof) of the cholesteric phase induced when individually added to a mix of one or more nematic liquid crystals, and (ii) one or more optically active substances which have the same helical twist sense as that of the former optically active substances and give a negative temperature dependency in the twistability of the induced cholesteric phase when individually added to a mix of one or more nematic liquid crystals.

Claim 9

A nematic liquid crystal composition which comprises (i) one or more optically active substances which give a positive temperature dependency in the twistability (in terms of the reciprocal of the intrinsic helical pitch thereof) of the cholesteric phase induced when individually added to a mix of one or more nematic liquid crystals, and (ii) one or more optically active substances which have the same helical twist sense as that of the former optically active substances and give a negative temperature dependency in the twistability of the induced cholesteric phase when individually added to a mix of one or more nematic liquid crystals.

Claim 10

A nematic liquid crystal composition according to claim 7 wherein said optically active substances (i) which make positive the temperature dependency of the twistability of the cholesteric phase induced when singly added to at least one member of nematic liquid crystals are compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds expressed by the following formula (Ia), compounds expressed by the following formula (Ib) and compounds expressed by the following formula (Ic), and said optically active substances (ii) which have the same helical sense as that of the former optically active substances and make negative the temperature dependency of the twistability of the cnolesteric phase induced when singly added to at least one member of nematic liquid crystals are compounds expressed by the following formula (II):

Claim 11

wherein in the above formula (Ia), , and each independently represent benzene ring, cyclohexane ring, dioxane ring, pyrimidine ring or pyridine ring ; ℓ and m each represent an integer of 0, 1 or 2; n represents an integer of 1 or 2; the value of (ℓ + m + n) is 1 to 4 ; X represents a single bond, -CH 2 - or -CH 2 CH 2 -; Y represents a single bond when ℓ=0, and Z represents a single bond when m =0, and Y and Z each independently represent -CH 2 0-, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH- when ℓ·m≠0; R represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or cyano group; R 1 represents a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and X represents a single bond when R is cyano group; in the above formula (Ib), , and each independently represent benzene ring, cyclohexane ring, dioxane ring, pyrimidine ring or pyridine ring; x and z each represent an integer of 0 or 1; y represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2; the value of (x + y + z) is 0 to 2; X 1 represents a single bond, -CH 2 0 or -CH 2 CH 2 -; Y 1 represents a single bond when y = 0 and represents - CH 2 0 -, - OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH- when y is 1 or 2; Z 1 represents a single bond, -CH 2 O-, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH-; T 1 , T 2 , T3 and T 4 each independently represent hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or cyano group; R 2 represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or cyano group or a halogen atom, and when R 2 is cyano group or a halogen atom, X 1 represents a single bond; and R 1 represents a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and in the above formula (Ic), , and each independently represent benzene ring, cyclohexane ring, dioxane ring, pyrimidine ring or pyridine ring; x and z each represent an integer of 0 or 1; y represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2; the value of (x + y + z) is 0 to 2; Y 1 represents a single bond when y = 0, and represents -CH 2 0-, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH- when y is 1 or 2; Z 1 represents a single bond, -CH 2 0 - , -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH-; T 1 , T 2 , T 3 and T 4 each independently represent hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or cyano group; and R 1 and R 3 each independently represent a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and wherein , and each independently represent benzene ring, cyclohexane ring, dioxane ring, pyrimidine ring or pyridine ring; p and q each represent 0, 1 or 2; r represents 1 or 2; the value of (p + q + r) is 1 to 4; s represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; X 2 represents -O-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -OCOO - , -OCH 2- or -OC H 2 CH 2 - ; Y 2 represents a single bond when p = 0; Z 2 represents a single bond when q =0; Y 2 and Z 2 each independently represent -COO-, -OCO-, -CH 2 0-, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH- when p·q≠0; W represents a single bond, -COO- or -OCO- when s = 0, and represents -O-, -COO- or -OCO- when s represents 1, 2, 3 or 4; R represents an alkyl group of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or cyano group; R 5 represents a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and X 2 represents a single bond when R 4 is cyano group.

Claim 12

wherein in the above formula (Ia), , and each independently represent benzene ring, cyclohexane ring, dioxane ring, pyrimidine ring or pyridine ring ; ℓ and m each represent an integer of 0, 1 or 2; n represents an integer of 1 or 2; the value of (ℓ + m + n) is 1 to 4 ; X represents a single bond, -CH 2 - or -CH 2 CH 2 -; Y represents a single bond when ℓ=0, and Z represents a single bond when m =0, and Y and Z each independently represent -CH 2 0-, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH- when ℓ·m≠0; R represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or cyano group; R 1 represents a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and X represents a single bond when R is cyano group; in the above formula (Ib), , and each independently represent benzene ring, cyclohexane ring, dioxane ring, pyrimidine ring or pyridine ring; x and z each represent an integer of 0 or 1; y represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2; the value of (x + y + z) is 0 to 2; X 1 represents a single bond, -CH 2 0 or -CH 2 CH 2 -; Y 1 represents a single bond when y = 0 and represents - CH 2 0 -, - OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH- when y is 1 or 2; Z 1 represents a single bond, -CH 2 O-, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH-; T 1 , T 2 , T3 and T 4 each independently represent hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or cyano group; R 2 represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or cyano group or a halogen atom, and when R 2 is cyano group or a halogen atom, X 1 represents a single bond; and R 1 represents a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and in the above formula (Ic), , and each independently represent benzene ring, cyclohexane ring, dioxane ring, pyrimidine ring or pyridine ring; x and z each represent an integer of 0 or 1; y represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2; the value of (x + y + z) is 0 to 2; Y 1 represents a single bond when y = 0, and represents -CH 2 0-, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH- when y is 1 or 2; Z 1 represents a single bond, -CH 2 0 - , -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH-; T 1 , T 2 , T 3 and T 4 each independently represent hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or cyano group; and R 1 and R 3 each independently represent a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and wherein , and each independently represent benzene ring, cyclohexane ring, dioxane ring, pyrimidine ring or pyridine ring; p and q each represent 0, 1 or 2; r represents 1 or 2; the value of (p + q + r) is 1 to 4; s represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; X 2 represents -O-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -OCOO - , -OCH 2- or -OC H 2 CH 2 - ; Y 2 represents a single bond when p = 0; Z 2 represents a single bond when q =0; Y 2 and Z 2 each independently represent -COO-, -OCO-, -CH 2 0-, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH=N- or -N=CH- when p·q≠0; W represents a single bond, -COO- or -OCO- when s = 0, and represents -O-, -COO- or -OCO- when s represents 1, 2, 3 or 4; R represents an alkyl group of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or cyano group; R 5 represents a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and X 2 represents a single bond when R 4 is cyano group.

Claim 13

A nematic liquid crystal composition according to claim 8 wherein optically active substances selected from the group consisting of compounds expressed by the formula (Ia), compounds expressed by the formula (Ib) and compound expressed by the formula (Ic), together with optically active substances expressed by the formula (II) , are contained in a quantity of 0.05 to 10% by weight in the composition.

Claim 14

A nematic liquid crystal composition according to claim 8 wherein said optically active substances which make positive the temperature dependency of the twistability are compounds expressed by the following formula (III) and said optically active substances which have the same helical twist sense as that of the former optically active substances and make negative the temperature dependency of the twistability are compounds expressed by the following formula (VI): wherein a represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2; b represents an integer of 1 or 2; the value of (a +b) is 2 or 3; V 1 represents a single bond when a = 0 and represents -COO-, -OCO-, -CH 2 0, -OCH 2 - or -CH 2 CH 2 - when a is 1 or 2; R represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or cyano group; and R 1 represents a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms. wherein g represents 0, 1 or 2; h represents 1 or 2; .the value of (g + h) is 1 to 3; V 4 represents a single bond when g = 0 and represents -COO-, -OCO-, -CH 2 0- or -OCH 2 - when g is 1 or 2; W 1 represents a single bond, -O- or -COO-; and R 6 represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or cyano group.

Claim 15

A nematic liquid crystal composition according to claim 8 wherein said optically active substances which make positive the temperature dependency of the twistability are compounds expressed by the following formula (III) and said optically active substances which have the same helical twist sense as that of the former optically active substances and make negative the temperature dependency of the twistability are compounds expressed by the following formula (VII): wherein a represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2; b represents an integer of 1 or 2; the value of (a+b) is 2 or 3; V 1 represents a single bond when a=0 and represents -COO-, -OCO-, -CH 2 0-, -OCH 2 - or -CH 2 CH 2 - when a is 1 or 2; R represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or cyano group; and R 1 represents a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms.; and wherein i represents 0, 1 or 2; j represents 1 or 2; the value of (i + j) is 1 to 3; V 5 represents a single bond when i = 0 and represents -COO-, -OCO-, -CH 2 0- or -OCH 2 - when i is 1 or 2; R represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms; and R 8 represents a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms.

Claim 16

A nematic liquid crystal composition according to claim 8 wherein said optically active substances which make positive the temperature dependency of the twistability are compounds expressed by the following formula (IV) and said optically active substances which have the same helical twist sense as that of the former optically active substances and make negative the temperature dependency of the twistability are compounds expressed by the following formula (VI): wherein c and d each represent an integer of 0 or 1; V 2 represents a single bond, -COO- or -OCO-; T 1 , T 2 , T 3 and T 4 each represent hydrogen atom, halogen atom or cyano group; R represents a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and R 2 represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms, cyano group or halogen atom; and wherein g represents 0, 1 or 2; h represents 1 or 2; the value of (g + h) is 1 to 3; V 4 represents a single bond when g =0 and represents -COO-, -OCO-, -CH 2 0- or -OCH 2 - when g is 1 or 2; W 1 represents a single bond, -O- or -COO-; and R represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or cyano group.

Claim 17

A nematic liquid crystal composition according to claim-8 . wherein said optically active substances which make positive the temperature dependency of the twistability are compounds expressed by the following formula (IV) and said optically active substances which have the same helical twist sense as that of the former optically active substances and make negative the temperature dependency of the twistability are compounds expressed by the following formula (VII): wherein c and d each represent an integer of 0 or 1; V 2 represents a single bond, -COO- or -OCO-; T 1 , T 2 , T 3 and T 4 each represent hydrogen atom, halogen atom or cyano group; R 1 represents a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and R 2 represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms, cyano group or halogen atom; and wherein i represents 0, 1 or 2; j represents 1 or 2; the value of (i +j) is 1 to 3; V 5 represents a single bond when i =0 and represents -COO-, -OCO-, -CH 2 0-,or -OCH 2 - when i is 1 or 2; R represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms; and R 8 represents a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms.

Claim 18

'14. A nematic liquid crystal composition according to claim 8 wherein said optically active substances which make positive the temperature dependency of the twistability are compounds expressed by the following formula (V) and said optically active substances which have the same helical twist sense as that of the former optically active substances and make negative the temperature dependency of the twistability are compounds expressed by the following formula (VI): wherein e represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2; f represents an integer of 1 or 2; the value of (e + f) is 1 to 3; V 3 represents a single bond when e =0 and represents -COO- or -CH 2 0- when e is 1 or 2; and R and R 3 each independently represent a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and wherein g represents 0, 1 or 2; h represents 1 or 2; the value of (g + h) is 1 to 3; V 4 represents a single bond when g= 0 and represents -COO-, -OCO-, -CH 2 0- or -OCH 2 - when g is 1 or 2; W 1 represents a single bond, -O-,or -COO-; and R 6 represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or cyano group.

Claim 19

.15. A nematic liquid crystal composition according to claim 8 wherein said optically active substances which make positive the temperature dependency of the twistability are compounds expressed by the following formula (V) and said optically active substances which have the same helical twist sense as that of the former optically active substances and make negative the temperature dependency of the twistability are compounds expressed by the following formula (VII): wherein e represents an integer of 0, 1 or 2; f represents an integer of 1 or 2; the value of (e +f) is 1 to 3; V 3 represents a single bond when e = 0 and represents -COO- or -CH 2 0 when e is 1 or 2; and R 1 and R 3 each independently represent a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and wherein i represents 0, 1 or 2; j represents 1 or 2; the value of (i +j) is 1 to 3; V 5 represents a single bond when i =0 and represents -COO-, -OCO-, -CH 2 0 or -OCH 2 - when j is 1 or 2; R 7 represents an alkyl group or an alkoxy group each of 1 to 15 carbon atoms; and R 8 represents a linear chain alkyl group of 2 to 18 carbon atoms.

Claim 20

:16. A nematic liquid crystal composition according to claim 8 wherein said optically active substances are selected so that the twistability of the induced cholesteric phase can be constant irrespective of temperature change in a definite temperature range.

Claim 21

.17. A nematic liquid crystal composition according to claim 8 wherein said optically active substances are selected so that the temperature dependency of the twistability of the induced cholesteric phase can have a desired value in a definite temperature range.

Claim 22

.18. A liquid crystal display element characterized by using a nematic liquid crystal composition which comprises (i) at least one member of optically active substances which are the same in the helical twist sense to one another and make positive the temperature dependency of the twistability in terms of the reciprocal of the intrinsic helical pitch thereof, of the cholesteric phase induced when singly added to at least one member of nematic.liquid crystals, and (ii) at least one member of nematic liquid crystals, to therby notably increase the twistability. with temperature rise.

Claim 23

.18. A liquid crystal display element characterized by using a nematic liquid crystal composition which comprises (i) at least one member of optically active substances which are the same in the helical twist sense to one another and make positive the temperature dependency of the twistability in terms of the reciprocal of the intrinsic helical pitch thereof, of the cholesteric phase induced when singly added to at least one member of nematic.liquid crystals, and (ii) at least one member of nematic liquid crystals, to therby notably increase the twistability. with temperature rise.

Claim 24

A liquid crystal display element'characterized by using a nematic liquid crystal composition which comprises. (i) at least one member of optically active substances which make positive the temperature dependency of the twistability in terms of the reciprocal of the intrinsic helical pitch thereof, of the cholesteric phase induced when singly added to at least one member of nematic liquid crystals, and (ii) at least one member of optically active substances which have the same helical twist sense as that of the former optically active substances and make negative the temperature dependency of the twistability of the cholesteric phase induced when singly added to at least one member of nematic liquid crystals.

Claim 25

A liquid crystal display element'characterized by using a nematic liquid crystal composition which comprises. (i) at least one member of optically active substances which make positive the temperature dependency of the twistability in terms of the reciprocal of the intrinsic helical pitch thereof, of the cholesteric phase induced when singly added to at least one member of nematic liquid crystals, and (ii) at least one member of optically active substances which have the same helical twist sense as that of the former optically active substances and make negative the temperature dependency of the twistability of the cholesteric phase induced when singly added to at least one member of nematic liquid crystals.