Liquid crystal compositions for multiplexed displays

Claim 1

A liquid crystal composition for multiplexed twisted neumatic display which exists in a nematic mesophase from at least about -20° to 50° C., comprising: (a) From three to five cyanobiphenyl compounds represented by the formula: ##STR33## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of straight chain alkyl groups having two to ten carbon atoms, the propoxy radical ranging from about 5 to 12% by weight of the total composition, and the substituent ##STR34## ranging from about 5 to 12% by weight of the total composition wherein R' is selected from the group consisting of straight chain alkyl groups having three to five carbon atoms, and wherein the saturated ring has a trans conformation, at least one of said compounds having R as an alkyl group with two to five carbon atoms and wherein the sum of compounds having R as an alkyl group with two to four carbon atoms ranges from about 3 to 10% by weight of the total composition and at least one of said compounds having R as an alkyl group with seven to ten carbon atoms and wherein the sum thereof ranges from about 20 to 50% by weight of the total composition; (b) at least one cyclohexane carboxylate ester compound represented by the formula: ##STR35## wherein R 1 is selected from the group consisting of straight chain alkyl groups having two to three carbon atoms, wherein R 2 is selected from the group consisting of straight chain alkoxy groups having three to six carbon atoms, and wherein the saturated ring has a trans conformation; and (c) at least one para-substituted phenyl benzoate ester represented by the formula: ##STR36## wherein R 3 is selected from the group consisting of straight chain alkyl groups having three to seven carbon atoms, and wherein R 4 is selected from the group consisting of straight chain alkyl groups having five to nine carbon atoms, subject to the proviso that the cyanobiphenyls range from about 67% to about 78% by weight of the composition, the cyclohexane carboxylate esters range from about 14% to about 21% by weight of the composition, and the phenyl benzoate esters range from about 8% to about 12% by weight of the composition, and subject to the further proviso that the cyanobiphenyl compounds include an embodiment having the above described saturated ring which constitutes from about 5% to about 12% by weight of the entire composition.