Electrooptical liquid crystal system

Claim 2

A reactive liquid crystal compound of formula III R.sup.1 --P--X--A.sup.3 --Z--A.sup.4 --R.sup.2 III wherein R 1 is CH 2 ═CW--COO-- or HS--CH 2 --(CH 2 ) m --COO--; W is H, Cl or alkyl with 1-5 C atoms; m is 1-7; P is alkylene with up to 12 C atoms wherein one or more non-adjacent CH 2 groups can be replaced by --O--; X is --O--, --S--, --COO--, --OCO-- or a single bond; R 2 is an alkyl radical with up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, wherein one or more CH 2 groups can be replaced, in each case independently of one another, by --O--, --S--, --CO--, --OCO--, --CO--O-- or --O--CO--O-- in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another, --CN, --Cl or --F, or R 2 has one of the meanings given for R 1 --P--X--; A 3 is 1,4-phenylene or naphthalene-2,6-diyl, in each case being unsubstituted or substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms; A 4 is ##STR101## wherein in each case 1,4-phenylene can be substituted by CN or halogen, and one of the 1,4-phenylene groups in (a) or (b) can also be replaced by a 1,4-phenylene radical in which one or two CH groups are replaced by N; and Z is --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --CH 2 CH 2 -- or a single bond; wherein at least one of A 3 and A 4 is substituted by at least one halogen atom.

Claim 3

A reactive liquid crystal compound of formula III R.sup.1 --P--X--A.sup.3 --Z--A.sup.4 --R.sup.2 III wherein R 1 is CH 2 ═CW--COO-- or HS--CH 2 --(CH 2 ) m --COO--; W is H, Cl or alkyl with 1-5 C atoms; m is 1-7; P is alkylene with up to 12 C atoms wherein one or more non-adjacent CH 2 groups can be replaced by --O--; X is --O--, --S--, --COO--, --OCO-- or a single bond; R 2 is an alkyl radical with up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, wherein one or more CH 2 groups can be replaced, in each case independently of one another, by --O--, --S--, --CO--, --OCO--, --CO--O-- or --O--CO--O-- in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another, --CN, --Cl or --F, or R 2 has one of the meanings given for R 1 --P--X--; A 3 is 1,4-phenylene or naphthalene-2,6-diyl, in each case being unsubstituted or substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms; A 4 is ##STR102## wherein in each case 1,4-phenylene can be substituted by CN or halogen, and one of the 1,4-phenylene groups can also be replaced by a 1,4-phenylene radical in which one or two CH groups are replaced by N; and Z is --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --CH 2 CH 2 -- or a single bond.

Claim 4

A reactive liquid crystal compound of formula III R.sup.1 --P--X--A.sup.3 --Z--A.sup.4 --R.sup.2 III wherein R 1 is CH 2 ═CW--COO-- or HS--CH 2 --(CH 2 ) m --COO--; W is H, Cl or alkyl with 1-5 C atoms; m is 1-7; P is alkylene with up to 12 C atoms wherein one or more non-adjacent CH 2 groups can be replaced by --O--; X is --O--, --S--, --COO--, --OCO-- or a single bond; R 2 is an alkyl radical with up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, wherein one or more CH 2 groups can be replaced, in each case independently of one another, by --O--, --S--, --CO--, --OCO--, --CO--O-- or --O--CO--O-- in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another, --CN, --Cl or --F, or R 2 has one of the meanings given for R 1 --P--X--; A 3 is 1,4-phenylene or naphthalene-2,6-diyl, in each case being unsubstituted or substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms; A 4 is ##STR102## wherein in each case 1,4-phenylene can be substituted by CN or halogen, and one of the 1,4-phenylene groups can also be replaced by a 1,4-phenylene radical in which one or two CH groups are replaced by N; and Z is --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --CH 2 CH 2 -- or a single bond.

Claim 5

A reactive liquid crystal compound of formula III R.sup.1 --P--X--A.sup.3 --Z--A.sup.4 --R.sup.2 III wherein 0 R 1 is CH 2 ═CW--COO-- or HS--CH 2 --(CH 2 ) m --COO--; W is H, Cl or alkyl with 1-5 C atoms; m is 1-7; P and P' are, in each case independently, alkylene with up to 12 C atoms wherein one or more non-adjacent CH 2 groups can be replaced by --O--; X and X' are, in each case independently, --O--, --S--, --COO--, --OCO-- or a single bond; R 2 is an alkyl radical with up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, wherein one or more CH 2 groups can be replaced, in each case independently of one another, by --O--, --S--, --CO--, --OCO--, --CO--O-- or --O--CO--O-- in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another, --CN, --Cl or --F, or R 2 is R 1 --P'--X'--, wherein at least one of P' and X' is different from P and X, respectively; A 3 is 1,4-phenylene or naphthalene-2,6-diyl, in each case being unsubstituted or substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms; A 4 is ##STR103## wherein the 1,4-phenylene can be substituted by CN or halogen, and one or two CH groups of the 1,4-phenylene can be replaced by N; and Z is --CH 2 CH 2 --.

Claim 6

A reactive liquid crystal compound of formula III R.sup.1 --P--X--A.sup.3 --Z--A.sup.4 --R.sup.2 III wherein 0 R 1 is CH 2 ═CW--COO-- or HS--CH 2 --(CH 2 ) m --COO--; W is H, Cl or alkyl with 1-5 C atoms; m is 1-7; P and P' are, in each case independently, alkylene with up to 12 C atoms wherein one or more non-adjacent CH 2 groups can be replaced by --O--; X and X' are, in each case independently, --O--, --S--, --COO--, --OCO-- or a single bond; R 2 is an alkyl radical with up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, wherein one or more CH 2 groups can be replaced, in each case independently of one another, by --O--, --S--, --CO--, --OCO--, --CO--O-- or --O--CO--O-- in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another, --CN, --Cl or --F, or R 2 is R 1 --P'--X'--, wherein at least one of P' and X' is different from P and X, respectively; A 3 is 1,4-phenylene or naphthalene-2,6-diyl, in each case being unsubstituted or substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms; A 4 is ##STR103## wherein the 1,4-phenylene can be substituted by CN or halogen, and one or two CH groups of the 1,4-phenylene can be replaced by N; and Z is --CH 2 CH 2 --.

Claim 7

A compound according to claim 1 wherein said compound is of formulae III1-III20 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--R 2 III1 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Pyd--Phe"--R 2 III2 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Pyr--Phe"--R 2 III3 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--Pyd--R 2 III4 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--Pyr--R 2 III5 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III6 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Pyd--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III7 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Pyr--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III8 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyd--R 2 III9 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyr--R 2 III10 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--Phe"--R 2 III11 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Pyd--Phe"--R 2 III12 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Pyr--Phe"--R 2 III13 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--Pyd--R 2 III14 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--Pyr--R 2 III15 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III16 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Pyd--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III17 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Pyr--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III18 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyd--R 2 III19 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyr--R 2 III20 wherein Phe' is a 1,4-phenylene group ##STR104## X 3 -X 6 are, independently from each other, H or halogen; Phe" is a 1,4-phenylene group, which is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by CN or halogen; Nap' is a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group ##STR105## which is unsubstituted or wherein up to 4 of X 4 -X 12 are independently from each other halogen, while the other denote H; R 1 is CH 2 ═CW--COO-- or HS--CH 2 --(CH 2 ) m --COO--; W is H, Cl or alkyl with 1-5 C atoms; m is 1-7; R 2 is an alkyl radical with up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, wherein one or more CH 2 groups can be replaced, in each case independently of one another, by --O--, --S--, --CO--, --OCO--, --CO--O-- or --O--CO--O-- in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another, --CN, --Cl or --F, or R 2 has one of the meanings given for R 1 --P--X--; and Z is --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --CH 2 CH 2 -- or a single bond; wherein at least one of the rings is substituted by at least one halogen atom.

Claim 8

A compound according to claim 2, wherein said compound is of the following formulae: R 1 --P--X--Ph3'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III6 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Pyd--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III7 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Pyr--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III8 R 1 --P--X--Phe"--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyd--R 2 III9 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyr--R 2 III10 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III16 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Pyd--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III17 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Pyr--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III18 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyd--R 2 III19 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyr--R 2 III20 wherein Phe' is a 1,4-phenylene group ##STR106## X 3 -X 6 are, independently from each other, H or halogen; Phe" is a 1,4-phenylene group, which is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by CN or halogen; Nap' is a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group ##STR107## which is unsubstituted or wherein up to 4 of X 4 --X 12 are independently from each other halogen, while the other denote H; R 1 is CH 2 ═CW--COO-- or HS--CH 2 --(CH 2 ) m --COO--; W is H, Cl or alkyl with 1-5 C atoms; m is 1-7; R 2 is an alkyl radical with up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, wherein one or more CH 2 groups can be replaced, in each case independently of one another, by --O--, --S--, --CO--, --OCO--, --CO--O-- or --O--CO--O-- in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another, --CN, --Cl or --F, or R 2 has one of the meanings given for R 1 --P--X--; and Z is --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --CH 2 CH 2 -- or a single bond.

Claim 9

A compound of formulae III2-III20 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Pyd--Phe"--R 2 III2 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Pyr--Phe"--R 2 III3 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--Pyd--R 2 III4 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--Pyr--R 2 III5 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III6 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Pyd--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III7 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Pyr--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III8 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyd--R 2 III9 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyr--R 2 III10 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--Phe"--R 2 III11 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Pyd--Phe"--R 2 III12 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Pyr--Phe"--R 2 III13 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--Pyd--R 2 III14 R 1 --X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--Pyr--R 2 III15 R 1 --X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III16 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Pyd--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III17 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Pyr--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III18 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyd--R 2 III19 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z-Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyr--R 2 III20 wherein Phe' is a 1,4-phenylene group ##STR108## X 3 -X 6 are, independently from each other, H or halogen; Phe" is a 1,4-phenylene group, which is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by CN or halogen; Nap' is a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group ##STR109## which is unsubstituted or wherein up to 4 of X 4 -X 12 are independently from each other halogen, while the other denote H; R 1 is CH 2 ═CW--COO-- or HS--CH 2 --(CH 2 ) m --COO--; P is, in each case independently, alkylene with up to 12 C atoms wherein one or more non-adjacent CH 2 groups can be replaced by --O--; X is, in each case independently, --O--, --S--, --COO--, --OCO-- or a single bond; W is H, Cl or alkyl with 1-5 C atoms; m is 1-7; R 2 is an alkyl radical with up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, wherein one or more CH 2 groups can be replaced, in each case independently of one another, by --O--, --S--, --CO--, --OCO--, --CO--O-- or --O--CO--O-- in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another, --CN, --Cl or --F, or R 2 has one of the meanings given for R 1 --P--X--; and Z is --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --CH 2 CH 2 -- or a single bond.

Claim 10

A compound of formulae III2-III20 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Pyd--Phe"--R 2 III2 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Pyr--Phe"--R 2 III3 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--Pyd--R 2 III4 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--Pyr--R 2 III5 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III6 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Pyd--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III7 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Pyr--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III8 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyd--R 2 III9 R 1 --P--X--Phe'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyr--R 2 III10 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--Phe"--R 2 III11 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Pyd--Phe"--R 2 III12 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Pyr--Phe"--R 2 III13 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--Pyd--R 2 III14 R 1 --X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--Pyr--R 2 III15 R 1 --X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III16 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Pyd--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III17 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Pyr--CH 2 CH 2 --Phe"--R 2 III18 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z--Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyd--R 2 III19 R 1 --P--X--Nap'--Z-Phe"--CH 2 CH 2 --Pyr--R 2 III20 wherein Phe' is a 1,4-phenylene group ##STR108## X 3 -X 6 are, independently from each other, H or halogen; Phe" is a 1,4-phenylene group, which is unsubstituted or mono- or polysubstituted by CN or halogen; Nap' is a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group ##STR109## which is unsubstituted or wherein up to 4 of X 4 -X 12 are independently from each other halogen, while the other denote H; R 1 is CH 2 ═CW--COO-- or HS--CH 2 --(CH 2 ) m --COO--; P is, in each case independently, alkylene with up to 12 C atoms wherein one or more non-adjacent CH 2 groups can be replaced by --O--; X is, in each case independently, --O--, --S--, --COO--, --OCO-- or a single bond; W is H, Cl or alkyl with 1-5 C atoms; m is 1-7; R 2 is an alkyl radical with up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, wherein one or more CH 2 groups can be replaced, in each case independently of one another, by --O--, --S--, --CO--, --OCO--, --CO--O-- or --O--CO--O-- in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another, --CN, --Cl or --F, or R 2 has one of the meanings given for R 1 --P--X--; and Z is --CO--O--, --O--CO--, --CH 2 CH 2 -- or a single bond.

Claim 11

A compound according to claim 6, wherein said compound is of formula ##STR110## wherein Y 1 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CW 1 --COO-- or HS--CH 2 --(CH 2 ) m COO--, V 1 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OOC--, --S-- or a single bond, W 1 is, independently from each other, H, Cl or CH 3 , n is, independently from each other, 2-12, m is, independently from each other 1-7, and ##STR111## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene.

Claim 12

A compound according to claim 6, wherein said compound is of formula ##STR112## wherein Y 2 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CHCOO-- or CH 2 ═C(CH 3 )--COO--; V 2 is, independently from each other, --O-- or a single bond, n is, independently from each other 2-12, and ##STR113## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene.

Claim 13

A compound according to claim 6, wherein said compound is of formula ##STR114## wherein Y 3 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CW 3 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m --COO--, V 3 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OOC--, --S-- or a single bond, W 3 is, independently from each other, H, Cl or CH 3 , a is 0 or 1, n is, independently from each other, 2-12, r is 1 or 2, m is, independently from each other, 1-7, and ##STR115## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene.

Claim 14

A reactive liquid crystal compound of formula III R.sup.1 --P--X--A.sup.3 --Z--A.sup.4 --R.sup.2 III wherein R 1 is CH 2 ═CW--COO-- or HS--CH 2 --(CH 2 ) m --COO--; W is H, Cl or alkyl with 1-5 C atoms; m is 1-7; P and P' are, in each case independently, alkylene with up to 12 C atoms wherein one or more non-adjacent CH 2 groups can be replaced by --O--; X and X' are, in each case independently, --O--, --S--, --COO--, --OCO-- or a single bond; R 2 is an alkyl radical with up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, wherein one or more CH 2 groups can be replaced, in each case independently of one another, by --O--, --S--, --CO--, --OCO--, --CO--O-- or --O--CO--O-- in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another, --CN, --Cl or --F, or R 2 is R 1 --P'--X'--; A 3 is 1,4-phenylene or naphthalene-2,6-diyl, in each case being unsubstituted or substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms; A 4 is ##STR116## wherein the 1,4-phenylene can be substituted by CN or halogen, and one or two CH groups are replaced by N; and Z is --CH 2 CH 2 --.

Claim 15

A reactive liquid crystal compound of formula III R.sup.1 --P--X--A.sup.3 --Z--A.sup.4 --R.sup.2 III wherein R 1 is CH 2 ═CW--COO-- or HS--CH 2 --(CH 2 ) m --COO--; W is H, Cl or alkyl with 1-5 C atoms; m is 1-7; P and P' are, in each case independently, alkylene with up to 12 C atoms wherein one or more non-adjacent CH 2 groups can be replaced by --O--; X and X' are, in each case independently, --O--, --S--, --COO--, --OCO-- or a single bond; R 2 is an alkyl radical with up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, wherein one or more CH 2 groups can be replaced, in each case independently of one another, by --O--, --S--, --CO--, --OCO--, --CO--O-- or --O--CO--O-- in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not linked directly to one another, --CN, --Cl or --F, or R 2 is R 1 --P'--X'--; A 3 is 1,4-phenylene or naphthalene-2,6-diyl, in each case being unsubstituted or substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms; A 4 is ##STR116## wherein the 1,4-phenylene can be substituted by CN or halogen, and one or two CH groups are replaced by N; and Z is --CH 2 CH 2 --.

Claim 16

A compound of the following formulae: ##STR117## wherein Y 3 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CW 3 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m --COO--, V 3 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OOC--, --S-- or a single bond, W 3 is, independently from each other, H, Cl or CH 3 , a is 0 or 1, n is, independently from each other, 2-12, r is 1 or 2, m is, independently from each other, 1-7, and ##STR118## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene; ##STR119## wherein Y 4 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CW 4 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m COO--, V 4 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --S-- or a single bond, W 4 is, independently from each other, H, CH 3 or Cl, m is, independently from each other, 1-7, n is, independently from each other, 1-12, t is 0, 1 or 2, and ##STR120## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene; ##STR121## wherein Y 5 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CW 5 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m COO, V 5 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --S-- or a single bond, W 5 is, independently from each other, H, CH 3 or Cl, n is, independently from each other, 1-12, m is 1-7, t is 1 or 2, u is 1 or 2, t+u is 2 or 3, and ##STR122## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene; or ##STR123## wherein Y 7 is CH 2 ═CW 7 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m COO--, Y 8 , independently of Y 7 , is Y 7 or an alkyl group with 1-12 C atoms, which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by F and/or Cl, and/or wherein one or two non-adjacent CH 2 groups may be replaced by --CH═CH--, --O--, --CO--, --COO--, --OCO-- or --S--, V 7 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OOC--, --S-- or a single bond, W 7 is, independently from each other, H, Cl or CH 3 , m is, independently from each other 1-7, b is, independently from each other 0-11, and B is ##STR124## with the proviso that in case both Y 7 and Y 8 are CH 2 ═CW 7 COO--, B is ##STR125##

Claim 17

A compound of the following formulae: ##STR117## wherein Y 3 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CW 3 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m --COO--, V 3 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OOC--, --S-- or a single bond, W 3 is, independently from each other, H, Cl or CH 3 , a is 0 or 1, n is, independently from each other, 2-12, r is 1 or 2, m is, independently from each other, 1-7, and ##STR118## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene; ##STR119## wherein Y 4 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CW 4 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m COO--, V 4 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --S-- or a single bond, W 4 is, independently from each other, H, CH 3 or Cl, m is, independently from each other, 1-7, n is, independently from each other, 1-12, t is 0, 1 or 2, and ##STR120## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene; ##STR121## wherein Y 5 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CW 5 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m COO, V 5 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --S-- or a single bond, W 5 is, independently from each other, H, CH 3 or Cl, n is, independently from each other, 1-12, m is 1-7, t is 1 or 2, u is 1 or 2, t+u is 2 or 3, and ##STR122## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene; or ##STR123## wherein Y 7 is CH 2 ═CW 7 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m COO--, Y 8 , independently of Y 7 , is Y 7 or an alkyl group with 1-12 C atoms, which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by F and/or Cl, and/or wherein one or two non-adjacent CH 2 groups may be replaced by --CH═CH--, --O--, --CO--, --COO--, --OCO-- or --S--, V 7 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OOC--, --S-- or a single bond, W 7 is, independently from each other, H, Cl or CH 3 , m is, independently from each other 1-7, b is, independently from each other 0-11, and B is ##STR124## with the proviso that in case both Y 7 and Y 8 are CH 2 ═CW 7 COO--, B is ##STR125##

Claim 18

A compound of the formula ##STR126## wherein Y 5 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CW 5 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m COO, V 5 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --S-- or a single bond, W 5 is, independently from each other, H, CH 3 or Cl, n is, independently from each other, 1-12, m is 1-7, t and u are, independently from each other 0, 1, or 2 with the proviso that t+u=1, 2 or 3, and ##STR127## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene, wherein at least one of ##STR128## is 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene.

Claim 19

A compound of the formula ##STR126## wherein Y 5 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CW 5 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m COO, V 5 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --S-- or a single bond, W 5 is, independently from each other, H, CH 3 or Cl, n is, independently from each other, 1-12, m is 1-7, t and u are, independently from each other 0, 1, or 2 with the proviso that t+u=1, 2 or 3, and ##STR127## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene, wherein at least one of ##STR128## is 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene.

Claim 20

A compound of the formula ##STR129## wherein Y 4 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CW 4 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m COO--, V 4 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --S-- or a single bond, W 4 is, independently from each other, H, CH 3 or Cl, m is, independently from each other, 1-7, n is, independently from each other, 1-12, t is 0, 1 or 2, and ##STR130## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene, wherein at least one of ##STR131## is 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene.

Claim 21

A compound of the formula ##STR129## wherein Y 4 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CW 4 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m COO--, V 4 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --S-- or a single bond, W 4 is, independently from each other, H, CH 3 or Cl, m is, independently from each other, 1-7, n is, independently from each other, 1-12, t is 0, 1 or 2, and ##STR130## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene, wherein at least one of ##STR131## is 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene.

Claim 22

A compound compound of the formula ##STR132## wherein Y 4 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CW 4 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m COO--, V 4 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --S-- or a single bond, W 4 is, independently from each other, H, CH 3 or Cl, m is, independently from each other, 1-7, n is, independently from each other, 1-12, t is 1 or 2, and ##STR133## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene.

Claim 23

A compound compound of the formula ##STR132## wherein Y 4 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CW 4 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m COO--, V 4 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --S-- or a single bond, W 4 is, independently from each other, H, CH 3 or Cl, m is, independently from each other, 1-7, n is, independently from each other, 1-12, t is 1 or 2, and ##STR133## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene.

Claim 24

A compound according to claim 14, wherein said compound is of formula ##STR134## wherein W 4 is, independently from each other, H, CH 3 or Cl, n is, independently from each other, 1-12, and ##STR135## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene.

Claim 25

A compound according to claim 11, whereto said compound is of formula ##STR136## wherein Y 5 is, independently from each other, CH 2 ═CW 5 --COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m COO, V 5 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --S-- or a single bond, W 5 is, independently from each other, H, CH 3 or Cl, n is, independently from each other, 1-12, m is 0, 1-7, t is 0, 1 or 2, u is 1, or 2, t+u is 2 or 3, and ##STR137## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene.

Claim 26

A compound according to claim 16, wherein said compound is of formula ##STR138## wherein V 5 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --S-- or a single bond, W 5 is, independently from each other, H, CH 3 or Cl, n is, independently from each other, 1-12, and ##STR139## is, independently from each other, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene or 2,3,6-trifluoro-1,4-phenylene.

Claim 27

A compound of the formula ##STR140## wherein Y 7 is CH 2 ═CW 7 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m COO--, Y 8 , independently of Y 7 , is Y 7 or an alkyl group with 1-12 C atoms, which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by F and/or Cl, and/or wherein one or two non-adjacent CH 2 groups may be replaced by --CH═CH--, --O--, --CO--, --COO--, --OCO-- or --S--, V 7 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OOC--, --S-- or a single bond, W 7 is, independently from each other, H, Cl or CH 3 , m is, independently from each other 1-7, b is, independently from each other 0-11, and B is ##STR141## with the proviso that in case both Y 7 and Y 8 are CH 2 ═CW 7 COO--, B is ##STR142##

Claim 28

A compound of the formula ##STR140## wherein Y 7 is CH 2 ═CW 7 COO-- or HSCH 2 (CH 2 ) m COO--, Y 8 , independently of Y 7 , is Y 7 or an alkyl group with 1-12 C atoms, which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by F and/or Cl, and/or wherein one or two non-adjacent CH 2 groups may be replaced by --CH═CH--, --O--, --CO--, --COO--, --OCO-- or --S--, V 7 is, independently from each other, --O--, --COO--, --OOC--, --S-- or a single bond, W 7 is, independently from each other, H, Cl or CH 3 , m is, independently from each other 1-7, b is, independently from each other 0-11, and B is ##STR141## with the proviso that in case both Y 7 and Y 8 are CH 2 ═CW 7 COO--, B is ##STR142##