Patent application title:

Liquid crystal compound having hydrogen as a terminal group, composition comprising the compound, and liquid crystal display element comprising the composition

Publication number:

-

Publication date:
Application number:

10/409,104

Filed date:

2003-04-09

✅ Patent granted

Patent number:

US 7,125,589 B1

Grant date:

2006-10-24

PCT filing:

-

PCT publication:

-

Examiner:

Shean C. Wu

Adjusted expiration:

2024-03-28

Abstract:

A compound represented by the following formula (1), a composition comprising the composition and an element comprising the composition:


Ra is alkyl having 1 to 15 carbons and so forth; A1, A2 and A3 are 1,4-cyclohexylene and so forth; Z1, Z2 and Z3 are a single bond and so forth; n and m are 0 or 1; and phenyl having (F)p is phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl and so forth.

Inventors:

Assignee:

Interested in similar patents?

Get notified when new applications in this technology area are published.

Classification:

C09K19/12 IPC

Liquid crystal materials characterised by the chemical structure of the liquid crystal components, e.g. by a specific unit; Non-steroidal liquid crystal compounds containing at least two non-condensed rings containing at least two benzene rings at least two benzene rings directly linked, e.g. biphenyls

C09K19/32 IPC

Liquid crystal materials characterised by the chemical structure of the liquid crystal components, e.g. by a specific unit; Non-steroidal liquid crystal compounds containing condensed ring systems, i.e. fused, bridged or spiro ring systems

C09K19/30 IPC

Liquid crystal materials characterised by the chemical structure of the liquid crystal components, e.g. by a specific unit; Non-steroidal liquid crystal compounds containing at least two non-condensed rings containing saturated or unsaturated non-aromatic rings, e.g. cyclohexane rings

C09K19/34 IPC

Liquid crystal materials characterised by the chemical structure of the liquid crystal components, e.g. by a specific unit; Non-steroidal liquid crystal compounds containing at least one heterocyclic ring

C07C25/13 IPC

Compounds containing at least one halogen atom bound to a six-membered aromatic ring; Monocyclic aromatic halogenated hydrocarbons containing fluorine

Description

BACK GROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention mainly relates to a liquid crystal compound, a liquid crystal composition and a liquid crystal display element. More particularly, it relates to a liquid crystal compound having hydrogen as a terminal group, a liquid crystal composition comprising the compound, and a liquid crystal display element comprising the composition.

The term “a liquid crystal compound” used herein is a generic term for a compound having a liquid crystal phase and a compound having no liquid crystal phase but useful as a component of a liquid crystal composition. A liquid crystal compound(s), a liquid crystal composition(s) and a liquid crystal display element(s) may be expressed herein simply as a compound(s), a composition(s) and an element(s), respectively. Compounds represented by formulas (1) to (12) are optionally expressed as compounds (1) to (12), respectively. In formulas (2) to (12), structural units such as B, D, E, and so forth surrounded by a hexagon represent ring B, ring D, ring E, and so forth.

2. Related Art

In liquid crystal display elements, operating modes are classified into PC (phase change), TN (twisted nematic), IPS (in-plain switching), STN (super twisted nematic), OCB (optically compensated bend), ECB (electrically controlled birefringence), VA (vertical alignment), and so forth, while driving methods are classified into PM (passive matrix) and AM (active matrix). PM (passive matrix) is classified into static, multiplex, and so forth and AM is classified into TFT (thin film transistor), MIM (metal insulator metal), and so forth.

These elements comprise a liquid crystal composition having proper characteristics. The composition requires the following general characteristics in order to improve general characteristics of the elements.

General Characteristics General Characteristics
No. Required for a Composition Required for an Element
1. stable against heat long-lived
2. stable against ultraviolet1) long-lived
3. wide nematic phase range usable in a wide
temperature range
4. small in viscosity2) short in response time
5. low in threshold voltage low in electric power
consumption
6. high in specific resistance high in voltage holding
ratio
1)Ultraviolet is usable in the process of production.
2)Time for pouring a composition into a liquid crystal cell is short.

The characteristics of Nos. 1 to 6 are important for a composition used in an AM element. The characteristics of Nos. 1 to 5 are important for a composition used in a PM element. In addition to these characteristics, optical anisotropy (Δn), dielectric anisotropy (Δε), an elastic constant, and so forth are also important.

Recent advanced techniques for preparing plates used in an element tend to make a cell gap of the palates smaller. In an AM element of TN mode, OCB mode and so forth, there is a trend to make the cell gap especially small. The cell gap is a distance between two plates, which is the same with the thickness of a layer of a liquid crystal composition. In an element of the TN mode, smaller cell gap results in shorter response time and reversed domain is not easily formed. In an element of the OCB mode, smaller cell gap results in shorter time for transiting from splay orientation to bend orientation (shorter transition time) and shorter time for changing an orientation of liquid crystal molecules caused by the change of impressed voltage (shorter response time).

Product (Δn×d) of optical anisotropy (Δn) and a cell gap (d) is constant in these modes. In this case, the optical anisotropy is larger when the cell gap is smaller. Thus, a composition with a large optical anisotropy is needed. A compound having a large optical anisotropy may advantageously be added for preparing such a composition. It is preferred to add the compound in a larger amount. However, crystals may deposit during storage when a large amount of a single compound is added to the composition. This does not enable the element to display. Therefore, a compound having a large optical anisotropy and also an excellent miscibility with other liquid crystal compounds was demanded.

Patent specifications that relate to the compound of this invention are as follows; JP 60-051,135 A (U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,465), JP 2-004,725 A (U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,764), JP 5-286,905 A (U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,216), DE 4,338,266 A, DE 4,338,267 A, DE 4,338,540 A, JP 2001-316,346 A, JP 58-121,225 A, (U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,333), JP 5-339,573A (U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,127), JP 5-500,679 A (U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,026), JP 5-502,433 A (U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,663), JP 6-263,662 A (U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,258), JP 7-278,546 A JP 9-249,881 A (GB 2,310,669 A), and DE 3,839,213 A.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Summary of this invention includes a compound represented by the following formula (1), a composition comprising the compound (1) and a liquid crystal display element comprising the composition:


wherein Ra is alkyl having 1 to 15 carbons and any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O—, —S—, —CH═CH—, or —C≡C—; A1, A2 and A3 independently are 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine, naphthalene-2,6-diyl in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine, or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl in which any —CH═ may be replaced by —CF═; Z1, Z2 and Z3 independently are a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —(CF2)2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF—, —C≡C—, —(CH2)4—, —(CH2)3O—, or —O(CH2)3—; n and m independently are 0 or 1; phenyl having (F)p is phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, 2,3,5-trifluorophenyl, 2,3,6-trifluorophenyl, or 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl; with the proviso that when A1, A2 and A3 are 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine and Z1, Z2 and Z3 are a single bond, the total number of fluorine in formula (1) is at least two.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The first subject of the invention is to provide a compound having a large optical anisotropy and an excellent miscibility with other liquid crystal compounds, and being superior as a component of the composition. The second subject is to provide a composition comprising the compound and having the general characteristics required for the composition and a large optical anisotropy, and a liquid crystal display element comprising the composition. The general characteristics mean the six items already described.

The present inventors found that the compound (1) whose terminal group is hydrogen has the following characteristics: The compound has a good stability against heat and ultraviolet, a large optical anisotropy, a small dielectric anisotropy, and an excellent miscibility with other liquid crystal compounds. A composition comprising the compound has the general characteristics required for a composition, a large optical anisotropy and good miscibility with other compounds at low temperature. The composition is useful especially for a liquid crystal display element having a small cell gap. The compound (1) whose terminal group is hydrogen has a good stability against heat and ultraviolet, a high clearing point, a small viscosity, and a good miscibility with other liquid crystal compounds at low temperature.

Embodiments to solve the subjects of this invention are illustrated as follows. In the embodiments, preferable examples of terminal groups, rings, and bonding groups in compound (1) are also described.

1. A compound represented by the following formula (1):


in formula (1), Ra is alkyl having 1 to 15 carbons and any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O—, —S—, —CH═CH—, or —C≡C—.

An example is given for the meaning of “any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O—, —CH═CH—, and so forth”. A part of the groups, when any —CH2— in C4H9— is replaced by —O— or —CH═CH—, is C3H7O—, CH3—O— (CH2)2—, CH3—O—CH2—O—, H2C═CH—(CH2)3—, CH3—CH═CH— (CH2)2—, and CH3—CH═CH—CH2—O—. As seen above, the term of “any” means “at least one selected indiscriminatingly”. In consideration of stability of a compound, CH3—O—CH2—O— in which oxygen and oxygen are not adjacent is preferable to CH3—O—O—CH2— in which oxygen and oxygen are adjacent.

Preferable Ra is alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, alkylthio, alkylthioalkyl, alkylthioalkoxy, alkenyl, alkenyloxy, alkenyloxyalkyl, alkoxyalkenyl, alkynyl, and alkynyloxy. In these groups, a straight chain is preferable to a branched chain. Branched Ra is preferable when the compound (1) is optically active. Especially preferable Ra is alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, and alkenyloxy.

Preferable configuration of —CH═CH— in the alkenyl depends on the position of a double bond. trans-Configuration is preferable in the alkenyl such as 1-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 1-pentenyl, 1-hexenyl, 3-pentenyl, 3-hexenyl. cis-Configuration is preferable in the alkenyl such as 2-butenyl, 2-pentenyl, 2-hexenyl. Alkenyl having a preferable configuration has a high clearing point or a wide temperature range of a liquid crystal phase. See Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst., 1985, 131, 109.

Concrete examples of Ra are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, pentyloxy, hexyloxy, heptyloxy, methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, ethoxymethyl, ethoxyethyl, ethoxypropyl, propoxymenthyl, vinyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 4-pentenyl, 2-propenyloxy, 2-butenyloxy, 2-pentenyloxy, 1-propynyl, and 1-pentynyl. Especially preferable Ra is ethyl, propyl and pentyl.

A1, A2 and A3 independently are 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine, naphthalene-2,6-diyl in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine, or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl in which any —CH═ may be replaced by —CF═.

1,4-Phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine is 1,4-phenylene and fluorine-substituted 1,4-phenylene. Positions of fluorine are at 2-position, 2,3-position, 2,5-position, 2,6-position, 2,3,5-position, or 2,3,5,6-position. These are shown below.

Naphthalene-2,6-diyl in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine is naphthalene-2,6-diyl and fluorine-substituted naphthalene-2,6-diyl. Positions of fluorine are at 1-position, 3-position, 4-position, 1,3-position, 1,5-position, 1,7-position, 1,8-position, 3,4-position, 3,8-position, 1,3,4-position, 1,3,5-position, 1,3,7-position, 1,3,8-position, 1,4,5-position, 1,4,7-position, 1,4,8-position, 1,3,4,5-position, 1,3,4,7-position, 1,3,4,8-position, 1,3,4,5,7-position, 1,3,4,5,8-position, or 1,3,4,5,7,8-position.

1,2,3,4-Tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl in which any —CH═ may be replaced by —CF═ is 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl and fluorine-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl. Positions of fluorine are at 5-position, 7-position, 8-position, 5,7-position, 5,8-position, 7,8-position, or 5,7,8-position.

Preferable A1, A2 or A3 is 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, difluoro-1,4-phenylene, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, fluoronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, difluoronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl. trans is preferable to cis in the configurations of 1,4-cyclohexylene and 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl.

Z1, Z2 and Z3 independently are a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —(CF2)2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF—, —C≡C—, —(CH2)4—, —(CH2)3O—, or —O(CH2)3—. Preferable Z1, Z2 or Z3 are a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, and —(CH2)4—. More preferable Z1, Z2 or Z3 are a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, and —(CH2)4—. Especially preferable Z1, Z2 or Z3 are a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —CH2O—, and —OCH2—. Especially preferable Z1, Z2 or Z3 are also a single bond and —(CH2)2—.

n and m independently are 0 or 1. Here, divalent groups of naphthalene-2,6-diyl and its analogues are counted as one ring. The compound wherein m and n are 0 has two rings. The compound wherein m is 1 and n is 0, or m is 0 and n is 1 has three rings. The compound wherein m and n are 1 has four rings. The compound (1) may comprise an isotope such as 2H (deuterium) and 13C in an amount more than its natural abundance, because no large difference is found in the physical properties of the compound.

Phenyl having (F)p described above is phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, 2,3,5-trifluorophenyl, 2,3,6-trifluorophenyl, or 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl. These are shown below.

Preferable phenyl having (F)p is phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl and 2,5-difluorophenyl.

In the above, it should be noted that, when A1, A2 and A3 are 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine and Z1, Z2 and Z3 are a single bond, the total number of fluorine in formula (1) is at least two.

2. A compound represented by the following formula (1):


wherein Ra is alkyl having 1 to 15 carbons and any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH—; A1, A2 and A3 independently are 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine, or naphthalene-2,6-diyl in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; Z1, Z2 and Z3 independently are a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, or —(CH2)4—; n and m independently are 0 or 1; phenyl having (F)p is phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, 2,3,5-trifluorophenyl, 2,3,6-trifluorophenyl, or 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl; with the proviso that when A1, A2 and A3 are 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine and Z1, Z2 and Z3 are a single bond, the total number of fluorine in formula (1) is at least two.

3. The compound according to the item 1 or 2, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is phenyl.

4. The compound according to the item 1 or 2, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is 2-fluorophenyl.

5. The compound according to the item 1 or 2, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is 2,5-difluorophenyl.

6. The compound according to the item 1 or 2, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is 2,3,5-trifluorophenyl.

7. The compound according to the item 1 or 2, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is 2,3,6-trifluorophenyl.

8. The compound according to the item 1 or 2, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl.

9. The compound according to the item 1 or 2, wherein Z1, Z2 and Z3 in formula (1) independently are a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, or —(CH2)4—.

10. The compound according to the item 1 or 2, wherein in formula (1), A1, A2 and A3 independently are 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine or naphthalene-2,6-diyl in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; and Z1, Z2 and Z3 independently are a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —CH2O—, or —OCH2—.

11. The compound according to the item 1 or 2, wherein in formula (1), at least one of A1 and A2 is 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, or 2,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene; Z1, Z2 and Z3 independently are a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —CH2O—, or —OCH2—; n is 1 and m is 0; and phenyl having (F)p is phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl or 2,5-difluorophenyl.

12. The compound according to the item 1 or 2, wherein in formula (1), at least two of A1, A2 and A3 are 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, or 2,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene; Z1, Z2 and Z3 independently are a single bond, —(CH2)2— or —OCH2—; n is 1 and m is 1; and phenyl having (F)p is phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl or 2,5-difluorophenyl.

13. The compound according to the item 1 or 2, wherein in formula (1), A1, A2 and A3 independently are 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, or 2,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene; and phenyl having (F)p is phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl or 2,5-difluorophenyl.

14. The compound according to the item 13, wherein Z1, Z2 and Z3 in formula (1) are a single bond or —(CH2)2—.

15. The compound according to the item 14, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is phenyl.

16. The compound according to the item 14, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is 2-fluorophenyl.

17. The compound according to the item 14, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is 2,5-difluorophenyl.

18. A compound represented by any one of the following formulas:


wherein Ra is alkyl having 1 to 15 carbons and any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH—. Preferable Ra is alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons in which one —CH2— is replaced by —O—, and alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons in which one —CH2— is replaced by —CH═CH—.

19. A liquid crystal composition comprising at least one compound described in any one of the items 1 to 18.

20. The composition according to the item 19, further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by formulas (2), (3) and (4):


wherein R1 is alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH— and any hydrogen in the alkyl may be replaced by fluorine; X1 is fluorine, chlorine, —OCF3, —OCHF2, —CF3, —CHF2, —CH2F, —OCF2CHF2, or —OCF2CHFCF3; ring B and ring D independently are 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl or 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; ring E is 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; Z4 and Z5 independently are —(CH2)2—, —(CH2)4—, —COO—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH═CH—, or a single bond; and L1 and L2 independently are hydrogen or fluorine.

21. The composition according to the item 19, further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by formulas (5) and (6):


wherein R2 and R3 independently are alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH— and any hydrogen in the alkyl may be replaced by fluorine; X2 is —CN or —C≡C—CN; ring G is 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, or pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; ring J is 1,4-cyclohexylene, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl or 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; ring K is 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; Z6 is —(CH2)2—, —COO—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, or a single bond; L3, L4 and L5 independently are hydrogen or fluorine; and b, c and d independently are 0 or 1.

22. The composition according to the item 19, further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by formulas (7), (8) and (9):


wherein R4 and R5 independently are alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH— and any hydrogen in the alkyl may be replaced by fluorine; ring M and ring P independently are 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; Z7 and Z8 independently are —(CH2)2—, —COO— or a single bond; L6 and L7 independently are hydrogen or fluorine, and at least one of L6 and L7 is fluorine.

23. The composition according to the item 20, further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by formulas (10), (11) and (12):


wherein R6 and R7 independently are alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH— and any hydrogen in the alkyl may be replaced by fluorine; ring Q, ring T and ring U independently are 1,4-cyclohexylene, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, or 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; Z9 and Z10 independently are —C≡C—, —COO—, —(CH2)2—, —CH═CH—, or a single bond.

24. The composition according to the item 21, further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by formulas (10), (11) and (12) described in the item 23.

25. The composition according to the item 22, further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by formulas (10), (11) and (12) described in the item 23.

26. The composition according to the item 23, further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by formulas (5) and (6) described in the item 21.

27. The composition according to any one of the items 19 to 26, further comprising at least one optically active compound.

28. A liquid crystal display element comprising the composition described in any one of the items 19 to 27.

In the compounds (2) to (12), preferable groups are as follows. Straight alkyl is preferable to branched alkyl. In 1,4-cyclohexylene and 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, trans-configuration is preferable to cis-configuration. Meaning of the phrase “any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH—” was described in the item 1 of the embodiment in this invention. Symbols such as R1, ring B, and so forth are used in plural compounds and these R1 (or ring B and so forth) may be the same or different each other. These compounds may comprise an isotope such as 2H (deuterium) and 13C in an amount more than its natural abundance, because no large difference is found in the physical properties of the compound.

Firstly, the compound (1) of this invention is further explained. One of the terminal groups of the compound (1) is hydrogen. The compound is highly stable both physically and chemically under the conditions for normal use of the element, has a large optical anisotropy and a proper dielectric anisotropy, and is excellent in a miscibility with other liquid crystal compounds. The composition comprising the compound is stable under the conditions for normal use of the element. Keeping the composition even at low temperature does not allow the compound to be separated out as a solid. A composition comprising the compound (1) in which Ra is alkyl has good miscibility at low temperature compared with a composition comprising the compound in which both of terminal groups are alkyl.

Physical properties of the compound (1) can be controlled by proper selection of a terminal group, a ring and a bonding group in the compound (1). Effects to physical properties of the compound (1) depending on the kinds of a terminal group Ra, rings A1, A2, A3, and bonding groups Z1, Z2, Z3 will be explained below. The compound (1), when added to a composition, influences the physical properties of the composition.

When Ra in the compound (1) is straight, a temperature range of the liquid crystal phase is wide and a viscosity is small. When Ra is branched, the miscibility with other liquid crystal compounds is excellent. The compound in which Ra is an optically active group is useful as a chiral dopant. The addition of the compound to a composition prevents a reversed twisted domain that will be formed in an element. The compound in which Ra is not an optically active group is useful as a component of the composition.

When ring A1, A2 or A3 in the compound (1) is 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen is replaced by fluorine, or 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, a dielectric anisotropy is large. When the ring is 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine, the optical anisotropy is large. When the ring is 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, the optical anisotropy is small.

When at least two rings are 1,4-cyclohexylene, a clearing point is high, a optical anisotropy is small and a viscosity is small. When at least one ring is 1,4-phenylene, the optical anisotropy is relatively large, and the orientational order parameter is large. When at least two rings are 1,4-phenylene, the optical anisotropy is large, the temperature range of the liquid crystal phase is wide, and the clearing point is high.

When a bonding group, Z1, Z2 or Z3 is a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF—, or —(CH2)4—, a viscosity is small. When the bonding group is a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —OCF2—, —CF2O—, —CH═CH—, or —(CH2)4—, the viscosity is smaller. When the bonding group is —CH═CH— or —CF═CF—, the temperature range of the liquid crystal phase is wide, and the ratio of the elastic constant is large. When the bonding group is —C≡C—, the optical anisotropy is large.

When the compound (1) has two or three rings, the viscosity is small, and when it has three or four rings, the clearing point is high. As described above, the compound having desired physical properties can be obtained by selecting properly a kind of a terminal group, a ring, a bonding group, and the number of the ring.

Preferable examples of the compound (1) are the compounds (a1) to (a26). More concrete compounds are the compounds (b1) to (b58). Meanings of the symbols Ra, Z1, Z2, Z3, and phenyl having (F)p in these compounds are the same as those in the item 1. Preferable meanings of the symbols Ra, Z1, Z2, Z3 and phenyl having (F)p in these compounds are the same as those in the item 2. Especially preferable meaning of the symbol Ra in these compounds is the same as that in the item 18. 1,4-Phenylene having (F) denotes 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine. Naphthalene-2,6-diyl having (F) denotes naphthalene-2,6-diyl in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine. 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl having (F) denotes 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine.

The compound (1) can be prepared by appropriately combining methods known in synthetic organic chemistry. Methods of introducing objective terminal groups, rings and bonding groups to a starting material are described, for example, in Organic Syntheses, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Organic Reactions, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Comprehensive Organic Synthesis, Pergamon Press, Shin-Jikken Kakagu Koza (Maruzen).

One example of the method for the formation of a bonding group, Z1, Z2 or Z3, is firstly shown in a scheme, which is explained in the items (I) to (XI). In the scheme, MSG1 or MSG2 is a mono-valent organic group having at least one ring, and plural MSG1 (or MSG2) may be the same or different each other. The compounds (1A) to (1K) correspond to the compound (1).


(I) Formation of a Single Bond

The compound (1A) is prepared by the reaction of arylboric acid (21) with the compound (22) prepared by a known method, in the presence of catalysts such as an aqueous solution of carbonate and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium. The compound (1A) is also prepared by the reaction of the compound (23) prepared by a known method with n-butyl lithium and zinc chloride, and then with the compound (22) in the presence of a catalyst such as dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium.

(II) Formation of —COO— and —OCO—

The carboxylic acid (24) is obtained by the reaction of the compound (23) with n-butyl lithium followed by carbon dioxide. The compound (1B) having —COO— is prepared by dehydration of the compound (24) and phenol (25) prepared by a known method in the presence of DDC (1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide) and DMAP (4-dimethylaminopyridine).

The compound having —OCO— is also prepared by this method.

(III) Formation of —CF2O— and —OCF2

The compound (26) is obtained by treating the compound (1B) with a sulfurating agent such as Lawesson's reagent. The compound (1C) having —CF2O— is prepared by fluorination of the compound (26) with hydrogen fluoride-pyridine complex and NBS (N-bromosuccinimide). See M. Kuroboshi et al., Chem. Lett., 1992, 827. The compound (1C) is also prepared by fluorination of the compound (26) with (diethylamino)sulfur trifluoride. See William. H. Bunnelle et al., J. Org. Chem., 1990, 55, 768. The compound having —OCF2— is also prepared by this method.

(IV) Formation of —CH═CH—

The compound (23) is treated with n-butyl lithium and then formamide such as N,N-dimethylformamide to give aldehyde (28). The compound (1D) is prepared by the reaction of the aldehyde (28) with phoshine ylide which is generated by the treatment of phosphonium salt (27) prepared by a known method with a base such as potassium t-butoxide. cis-Isomer, which may be formed depending on the reaction conditions, is isomerized to trans-isomer by a known method if needed.

(V) Formation of —(CH2)2

The compound (1E) is prepared by hydrogenation of the compound (1D) in the presence of a catalyst such as palladium carbon.

(VI) Formation of —(CH2)4

The compound having —(CH2)2—CH═CH— is obtained using phosphonium salt (29) instead of the phosphonium salt (27) according to the method described in the item (IV). The resulting compound is subjected to a catalytic hydrogenation to prepare the compound (1F).

(VII) Formation of —C≡C—

The compound (23) is reacted with 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol in the presence of palladium dichloride and copper halide as catalysts, followed by deprotection under the basic conditions to give the compound (30). The compound (1G) is prepared by the reaction of the compound (30) with the compound (22) in the presence of palladium dichloride and copper halide as catalysts.

(VIII) Formation of —CF═CF—

The compound (31) is obtained by the reaction of the compound (23) with n-butyl lithium and then tetrafluoroethylene. The compound (1H) is prepared by the reaction of the compound (22) with n-butyl lithium and then the compound (31).

(IX) Formation of —CH2O— and —OCH2

The compound (32) is obtained by the reduction of the compound (28) with a reducing agent such as sodium borohydride. The compound (33) is obtained by halogenation of the compound (32) with hydrobromic acid. The compound (1J) is prepared by the reaction of the compound (33) with the compound (25) in the presence of potassium carbonate.

(X) Formation of —(CH2)3O— and —O(CH2)3

The compound (1K) is prepared using the compound (34) instead of the compound (32) according to the method in the item (IX).

(XI) Formation of —(CF2)2

The compound having —(CF2)2— is obtained by fluorination of diketone (—COCO—) with sulfur tetrafluoride in the presence of hydrogen fluoride as a catalyst according to the method described in J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2001, 123, 5414.

Secondly, the composition of this invention is further explained. Amount of the compound (percentage) described below is percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition. The composition may comprise plural compounds selected only from the compound (1) as a substantial component. Preferably, the composition comprises at least one compound selected from the compound (1) in the ratio of 1 to 99%. The composition may further comprise at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds (2), (3) and (4), at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds (5) and (6), or at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds (7), (8) and (9). The composition may further comprise at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds (10), (11) and (12) for the purpose of controlling a temperature range of the liquid crystal phase, viscosity, optical anisotropy, dielectric anisotropy, threshold voltage, and so forth. The composition may further comprise other compounds for the purpose of controlling the physical properties.

The compounds (2), (3) and (4) are used mainly for the composition for a TN-TFT mode, because their dielectric anisotropy is positive and large, and the thermal and chemical stabilities are excellent. In the composition, the amount of these compounds is 1 to 99%, preferably 10 to 97%, and more preferably 40 to 95%. The compounds (10), (11) or (12) may be further added to the composition for the purpose of controlling a temperature range of the liquid crystal phase, viscosity, optical anisotropy, dielectric anisotropy, or threshold voltage.

The compounds (5) and (6) are used mainly for the composition for STN and TN modes, because their dielectric anisotropy is positive and very large. These compounds are used for the purpose of widening a temperature range of the liquid crystal phase, controlling the viscosity and the optical anisotropy, decreasing the threshold voltage, improving the sharpness of the threshold voltage, and so forth. In the composition for the STN or TFT mode, the amount of the compound (5) or (6) is 1 to 99%, preferably 10 to 97%, and more preferably 40 to 95%. The compounds (10), (11) or (12) may be further added to the composition for the purpose of controlling a temperature range of the liquid crystal phase, viscosity, optical anisotropy, dielectric anisotropy, or threshold voltage.

The compounds (7), (8) and (9) are used mainly for the composition for a VA mode, because their dielectric anisotropy is negative. The compound (7) is used for the purpose of controlling viscosity, optical anisotropy and threshold voltage. The compound (8) is used for the purpose of increasing a clearing point, increasing optical anisotropy and decreasing threshold voltage, and so forth. An increased amount of these compounds decreases the threshold voltage but increases the viscosity of the composition. Therefore, these compounds are used preferably in a smaller amount as long as the required value of the threshold voltage is satisfied. As these compounds have a negative dielectric anisotropy with the absolute value of 5 or less, they are used in the amount of preferably 40% or more, more preferably 40 to 80%. These compounds may be added to a composition having a positive dielectric anisotropy in order to control an elastic constant and a voltage-transmittance curve, preferably in an amount of 30% or less.

The dielectric anisotropy of the compounds (10), (11) and (12) is small in terms of absolute value. The compound (10) is used mainly for the purpose of controlling viscosity or optical anisotropy. The compounds (11) and (12) are used for the purpose of increasing a clearing point to widen a temperature range of a liquid crystal phase or controlling optical anisotropy. An increased amount of the compounds (10), (11) and (12) increases the threshold voltage and decreases the viscosity of the composition. Thus, these compounds may be used in a larger amount as long as the required value of the threshold voltage is satisfied. In the composition for the TN-TFT mode, these compounds are used preferably in an amount of 40% or less, more preferably 35% or less. In the composition for the STN or TN mode, these compounds are used preferably in an amount of 70% or less, more preferably 60% or less.

Preferable compounds (2) to (12) are the compounds (2-1) to (2-9), the compounds (3-1) to (3-97), the compounds (4-1) to (4-33), the compounds (5-1) to (5-58), the compounds (6-1) to (6-3), the compounds (7-1) to (7-3), the compounds (8-1) to (8-5), the compounds (9-1) to (9-3), the compounds (10-1) to (10-11), the compounds (11-1) to (11-12), and the compounds (12-1) to (12-6), respectively. In these compounds, the symbols R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, X1, and X2 have the same meanings as those in the compounds (2) to (12).

The composition of this invention is prepared by known methods. For example, component compounds are mixed and dissolved each other by heating. Physical properties of the composition may be controlled by the addition of appropriate additives. Such additives are well known by those skilled in the art. A chiral dopant is added for the purpose of inducing a helical structure of liquid crystals to give a twist angle desired. Examples of the chiral dopant are optically active compounds (Op-1) to (Op-12) given above.

Helical pitch is controlled by the addition of the chiral dopant to the composition. The pitch suitable for TN and TFT modes ranges between 40 and 200 micrometers. The pitch suitable for STN mode ranges between 6 and 20 micrometers. The pitch suitable for BTN mode ranges between 1.5 and 4 micrometers. A relatively large amount of a chiral dopant is added to the composition for PC mode. At least two chiral dopants may be added for the purpose of controlling temperature dependence of the pitch.

The composition of this invention can be used for modes of TN, TN-TFT, STN, GH, DS, ECB, and so forth. A composition for GH mode is prepared by the addition of a dichroic dye such as compounds of merocyanine, styryl, azo, azomethine, azoxy, quinophthalone, anthraquinone, tetrazine, and so forth. The composition of this invention can also be used for NCAP which is prepared by microcapsulating nematic liquid crystals, and for a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display element (PDLCD) which is prepared by forming a three-dimensional polymer network in liquid crystals, for example, a polymer network liquid crystal display element (PNLCD) and so forth.

EXAMPLES

Thirdly, this invention is further explained by the examples. The invention is not limited by these examples. Examples 1 to 8 describe the preparation of the compound (1). The reaction was carried out under an atmosphere of nitrogen. The compound obtained was identified based on the data of NMR spectra, mass-spectra, and so forth. THF stands for tetrahydrofuran. C, Sm, 5 mA, SmB, N, and I denote crystals, a smectic phase, a smectic A phase, a smectic B phase, a nematic phase and an isotropic phase, at a phase transition temperature of the compounds, respectively. Parenthesised phase transition means monotropic one. The temperature is by centigrade scale (° C.).

TABLE 1
Method for Description of Compounds Using Symbols
R—(A1)—Z1— . . . —Zn—(An)—X
1)Left Terminal Group R— Symbol
CnH2n+1 n—
CnH2n+1O— nO—
CnH2n+1OCmH2m+1 nOm—
CH2═CH— V—
CH2═CHCnH2n Vn—
CnH2n+1CH═CHCmH2m nVm—
CnH2n+1CH═CHCmH2mCH═CHCkH2k nVmVk—
CF2═CH— VFF—
CF2═CHCnH2n VFFn—
2)Ring Structure —An— Symbol
B
B(2F)
B(F)
B(F, F)
H
G
Py
B(2F, 3F)
B(2F, 5F)
3)Bonding Group —Zn— Symbol
—C2H4 2
—C4H8 4
—COO— E
—C≡C— T
—CH═CH— V
—CF2O— CF2O
—OCF2 OCF2
4)Right Terminal Group —X Symbol
—F —F
—Cl —CL
—CN —C
—CF3 —CF3
—OCF3 —OCF3
—OCF2H —OCF2H
—CnH2n+1 —n
—OCnH2n+1 —On
—COOCH3 —EMe
—CH═CH2 —V
—CnH2nCH═CH2 —nV
—CmH2mCH═CHCnH2n+1 —mVn
—CH═CF2 —VFF
—CnH2nCH═CF2 —nVFF
—C≡C— —T
5)Example of Description
Example 1 3-H2B(F, F)B(F)-F
Example 2 5-HHEB-F
Example 3 5-BB(2F, 5F)B

Representative compositions of this invention are summarized in Examples 10 to 48. Comparative Example 1 is given last. In these Examples, first shown are the component compounds of the composition with their respective amounts. The amount is percent by weight. The compounds are represented by the symbols of a left terminal group, a bonding group, a ring structure, and a right terminal group, according to the rules in Table 1 described above. Configuration of 1,4-cyclohexylene and 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl is trans. No symbol for a terminal group means that the terminal group is hydrogen. Physical properties of the composition are shown next. The physical properties were measured according to the method described in the Standard of Electric Industries Association of Japan, EIAJ ED-2521A or a modified method.

Phase transition temperature of a nematic phase-isotropic phase (NI; ° C.): A sample was placed on a hot plate in a melting point apparatus equipped with a polarization microscope and was heated at the rate of 1° C. per minute. The temperature was measured when a part of the sample began to change from a nematic phase to an isotropic phase. The transition temperature is also named a clearing point.

Viscosity (η; measured at 20° C.; mPa·s): E-type rotary viscometer was used for the measurement of viscosity.

Optical anisotropy (Refractive index anisotropy; Δn; measured at 25° C.): Optical anisotropy was measured using Abbe refractometer by the aid of light having the wavelength of 589 nanometers.

Dielectric Anisotropy (Δε; measured at 25° C.)

1) Composition having a positive value of dielectric anisotropy: A sample was poured into a liquid crystal cell in which the gap between two glass plates is 9 micrometers and a twist angle is 80 degrees. A dielectric constant (ε∥) that is parallel to a liquid crystal molecule was measured by applying 20 volt to the cell. A dielectric constant (ε⊥) that is perpendicular to a liquid crystal molecule was measured by applying 0.5 volt. A value of dielectric anisotropy was calculated from the formula: Δε=ε∥−ε⊥.

2) Composition having a negative value of dielectric anisotropy: A sample was poured into a liquid crystal cell having homeotropic alignment and a dielectric constant (ε∥) was measured by applying 0.5 volt. A sample was poured into a liquid crystal cell having homogeneous alignment and a dielectric constant (ε⊥) was measured by applying 0.5 volt. A value of dielectric anisotropy was calculated from the formula:
Δε=ε∥−ε⊥.

Threshold voltage (Vth; measured at 25° C.; volt): A sample was poured into a liquid crystal display element with a normally white mode, in which the gap between two glass plates was (0.5/Δn) micrometer and a twist angle was 80 degrees. Δn is a value of optical anisotropy measured by the method described above. Rectangle waves with a frequency of 32 Hz were applied to the element. Voltage of the rectangle waves was increased and the value of the voltage was measured when the transmission of a light passing through the element became 90%.

Example 1

Preparation of 2′,5′-difluoro-4-pentylterphenyl (No. 275)

First Step: Preparation of 4′-Bromo-2′,5′-difluoro-4-pentylbiphenyl

A mixture of 1-bromo-2,5-difluoro-4-iodbenzene (5.00 g, 15.68 mmol), 4-pentylphenylboronic acid (3.01 g, 15.67 mmol), potassium carbonate (3.25 g, 23.51 mmol), tetrabutylammonium bromide (1.26 g, 3.91 mmol), dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (II) (0.55 g, 0.79 mmol), triphenylphosphine (0.41 g, 1.56 mmol), and a mixed solvent (toluene/water/ethanol=1/1/1, 100 ml) was refluxed for 32 hrs with stirring. The reaction mixture obtained was extracted with toluene (200 ml). The extract was washed with water (100 ml) twice and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure gave a brown oil (5.72 g). The oil was distilled under reduced pressure and was purified by silica-gel chromatography (eluent; heptane, Rf=0.58) to give a colorless oil (2.31 g).

Second Step: Preparation of 2′,5′-difluoro-4-pentylterphenyl

A mixture of 4′-bromo-2′,5′-difluoro-4-pentylbiphenyl (2.00 g, 5.90 mmol), phenylboric acid (1.01 g, 8.28 mmol), potassium carbonate (1.22 g, 8.83 mmol), tetrabutylammonium bromide (0.48 g, 1.49 mmol), tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (0) (0.21 g, 0.18 mmol), and a mixed solvent (toluene/water/ethanol=1/1/1, 90 ml) was refluxed for 4 hrs with stirring. The reaction mixture obtained was extracted with toluene (200 ml). The extract was washed with water (100 ml) twice and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure gave a dark brown solid (2.50 g). The solid was purified by silica-gel chromatography (eluent; heptane, Rf=0.25) and recrystallized from a mixed solvent (solmix/heptane=½) to give 2′,5′-difluoro-4-pentylterphenyl (1.53 g, colorless crystals). C 65.5 I.

Example 2

Preparation of 2,5-difluoro-(trans-4-(trans-4-propylcyclohexyl)cyclohexyl)benzene (No. 1488)

First Step: Preparation of 2,5-difluoro(4-(trans-4-propylcyclohexyl)-1-hydroxycyclohexyl)benzene

A solution of 2,5-difluorobromobenzene (1.33 mmol) in THF (10 ml) is added dropwise to magnesium (1.44 mmol). After the addition is completed, the reaction mixture is stirred at 50° C. for 2 hrs. To the reaction mixture, a solution of 4-(trans-4-propylcyclohexyl)cyclohexanone (1.03 mmol) in THF (10 ml) is added dropwise. After the addition is completed, the reaction mixture is stirred for 2 hrs at 50° C. A saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride (10 ml) is added in small portions and the aqueous layer is extracted with ethyl acetate (100 ml) twice. The extract is washed with water, and then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The titled compound is obtained by evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure.

Second Step: Preparation of 2,5-difluoro-(4-(trans-4-propylcyclohexyl)cyclohexenyl)benzene

A three-necked flask equipped with the Dean-Stark apparatus is used. A mixture of 2,5-difluoro-(4-(trans-4-propylcyclohexenyl)-1-hydroxycyclohexyl)benzene (1.06 mmol), p-toluenesulfonic acid (0.106 mmol), and toluene (50 ml) is refluxed for 7 hrs with stirring. The reaction mixture obtained is washed with an aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate (50 ml) three times, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. After concentrating the toluene solution under reduced pressure, purification with silica-gel column gives the titled compound.

Third Step: Preparation of 2,5-difluoro-(4-(trans-4-propylcyclohexyl)cyclohexyl)benzene (No. 1488)

A mixture of 2,5-difluoro(4-(trans-4-propylcyclohexyl)cyclohexenyl)benzene (0.84 mmol), ethyl acetate (30 ml), and 5% palladium carbon (0.013 g) is stirred under an atmosphere of hydrogen. After ceasing the absorption of hydrogen, 5% palladium carbon is filtered off from the reaction mixture. The filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure and purified by silica-gel chromatography, and further recrystallized to give the titled compound.

Example 3

Preparation of 2,5-difluoro-4-ethoxyphenyl biphenyl-4-ylmethylether (No. 1101)

A mixture of 2,5-difluoro-4-ethoxyphenol (4.70 mmol), potassium carbonate (5.60 mmol), and N,N-dimethylformamide (300 ml) is heated under reflux. During refluxing, a solution of 4-iodomethylbiphenyl (9.4 mmol) in DMF (50 ml) is added dropwise. After the addition is completed, the reaction mixture is refluxed for 5 hrs. The reaction mixture obtained is poured into water and extracted with toluene (200 ml) twice. The extract is washed with in the order of 5% aqueous solution of sodium thiosulfate, water (two times), a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate (two times), water (two times), and a saturated aqueous sodium chloride, and then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solution is concentrated under reduced pressure, purified by silica-gel chromatography, and further recrystallized to give the titled compound.

Example 4

Preparation of 1-(ethylphenyl)-2-(2,2′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-4-yl)ethane (No. 1140)

To a suspension of 1-ethyl-4-iodomethylbenzene (51.82 mmol) and copper iodide (10 mmol) in THF (100 ml) chilled on an ice bath, a solution of 2′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-4-ylmethyllithium (72.53 mmol) in THF (100 ml) is added dropwise, and the reaction mixture is stirred for additional 1 hr. After stirring for 3 hrs at room temperature, the reaction is ceased by adding a diluted hydrochloric acid. The reaction mixture obtained is extracted with toluene (500 ml), washed with water (300 ml) two times, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The toluene solution is concentrated under reduced pressure, purified by silica-gel chromatography, and recrystallized to give the titled compound.

Example 5

Preparation of 3-fluoro-4-(trans-4-heptylcyclohexyl)-α, α-difluorobenzyl 2-fluorophenylether (No. 1716)

To a solution of 2-fluorophenyl 3-fluoro-4-(trans-4-heptylcyclohexyl)benzenethioate (30.60 mmol) in dichloromethane (100 ml), DAST (76.50 mmol) is added dropwise. After the addition is completed, the mixture is stirred for 20 hrs at room temperature. The reaction mixture obtained is poured into a saturated aqueous solution of sodium carbonate and extracted with dichloromethane (200 ml). The extract is washed with water (150 ml) three times and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The dichloromethane solution is concentrated under reduced pressure, purified with silica-gel chromatography, and further recrystallized to give the titled compound.

Example 6

Preparation of 2-fluoro-4-(2-fluorophenyl)phenyl 2,5-difluoro-4-(4-pentylphenyl)benzoate (No. 1382)

To a mixture of 2,5-difluoro-4-(4-pentylphenyl)benzoic acid (28.40 mmol), 2-fluoro-4-(2-fluorophenyl)phenol (28.40 mmol), and dichloromethane (100 ml), 4-dimetylaminopyridine (34.10 mmol) is added dropwise. Then, a solution of 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (34.10 mmol) in dichloromethane (100 ml) is added dropwise. After the addition is completed, the reaction mixture is stirred for 17 hrs at room temperature. Solid formed is filtered off, and a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride is added dropwise to the reaction mixture. The organic layer is washed with in the order of 3N-hydrochloric acid (300 ml), water, a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate (300 ml), and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The dichloromethane solution is concentrated under reduced pressure, purified by silica-gel chromatography, and further recrystallized to give the titled compound.

Example 7

Preparation of 1-(2,5,3′-fluoro-4′-butoxybiphenyl-4-yl)-2-phenylethene (No. 1728)

To a solution of benzyltriphenylphosphoniumchloride (102.1 mmol) in THF (150 ml) chilled on a dry ice-acetone bath, potassium tert-butoxide (120.8 mmol) is added dropwise little by little. Then, a solution of 2,5-difluoro-4-(3-fluoro-4-butoxyphenyl)benzaldehyde in THF (25 ml) is added dropwise. After the addition is completed, the reaction mixture is stirred for 20 hrs at room temperature. The reaction mixture obtained is poured into ice water, and extracted with toluene (200 ml) twice. The extract is washed with water (150 ml) three times and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The toluene solution is concentrated under reduced pressure. A mixture of the reaction mixture obtained, sodium sulfinate (153.2 mmol), 6N-hydrochloric acid (50 ml), and ethanol (200 ml) is refluxed for 3 hrs with stirring. The reaction mixture obtained is extracted with toluene (200 ml) twice. The extract is washed with water (150 ml) three times and tried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The toluene solution is concentrated under reduced pressure, purified by silica-gel chromatography, and further recrystallized to give the titled compound.

Example 8

Preparation of 1-(2′,3-difluorobiphenyl-4-yl)-2-(trans-4-heptylcyclohexyl)acetylene (No. 1090)

A mixture of 1-(trans-4-heptylcyclohexyl)acetylene (28.40 mmol), 2′,3-difluoro-4-iodobiphenyl (28.40 mmol), tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0)dichloromethane (0.85 mmol), copper iodide (1.43 mmol), and diethylamine (200 ml) is stirred for 4 hrs at room temperature. The reaction mixture obtained is extracted with toluene (200 ml) twice. The extract is washed with water (150 ml) three times and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The toluene solution is concentrated under reduced pressure, purified by silica-gel chromatography, and further recrystallized to give the titled compound.

Example 9

The following compounds No. 1 to No. 1949 are prepared cording to the synthetic method described in Examples 1 to and by further combination with known reactions.

No.
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80

81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100

101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110

111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120

121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130

131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140

141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150

151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180

181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195

196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206

207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260

261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271

272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
282
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
C 60.10 I
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
656
659
660
661
662
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
691
692
693
694
695
696
697
698
699
700
701
702
703
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714
715
716
717
718
719
720
721
722
723
724
725
726
727
728
729
730
731
732
733
734
735
736
737
738
739
740
741
742
743
744
745
746
747
748
749
750
751
752
753
754
755
756
757
758
759
760
761
762
763
764
765
766
767
768
769
770

771
772
773
774
775
776
777
778
779
780

 781
 782
 783
 784
 785
 786
 787
 788
 789
 790
 791
 792
 793
 794
 795
 796
 797
 798
 799
 800
 801
 802
 803
 804
 805
 806
 807
 808
 809
 810
 811
 812
 813
 814
 815
 816
 817
 818
 819
 820
 821
 822
 823
 824
 825
 826
 827
 828
 829
 830
 831
 832
 833
 834
 835
 836
 837
 838
 839
 840
 841
 842
 843
 844
 845
 846
 847
 848
 849
 850
 851
 852
 853
 854
 855
 856
 857
 858
 859
 860
 861
 862
 863
 864
 865
 866
 867
 868
 869
 870
 871
 872
 873
 874
 875
 876
 877
 878
 879
 880
 881
 882
 883
 884
 885
 886
 887
 888
 889
 890
 891
 892
 893
 894
 895
 896
 897
 898
 899
 900
 901
 902
 903
 904
 905
 906
 907
 908
 909
 910
 911
 912
 913
 914
 915
 916
 917
 918
 919
 920
 921
 922
 923
 924
 925
 926
 927
 928
 929
 930
 931
 932
 933
 934
 935
 936
 937
 938
 939
 940
 941
 942
 943
 944
 945
 946
 947
 948
 949
 950
 951
 952
 953
 954
 955
 956
 957
 958
 959
 960
 961
 962
 963
 964
 965
 966
 967
 968
 969
 970
 971
 972
 973
 974
 975
 976
 977
 978
 979
 980
 981
 982
 983
 984
 985
 986
 987
 988
 989
 990
 991
 992
 993
 994
 995
 996
 997
 998
 999
1000
1001
1002
1003
1004
1005
1006
1007
1008
1009
1010
1011
1012
1013
1014
1015
1016
1017
1018
1019
1020
1021
1022
1023
1024
1025
1026
1027
1028
1029
1030
1031
1032
1033
1034
1035
1036
1037
1038
1039
1040
1041
1042
1043
1044
1045
1046
1047
1048
1049
1050
1051
1052
1053
1054
1055
1056
1057
1058
1059
1060
1061
1062
1063
1064
1065
1066
1067
1068
1069
1070
1071
1072
1073
1074
1075
1076
1077
1078
1079
1080
1081
1082
1083
1084
1085
1086
1087
1088
1089
1090
1091
1092
1093
1094
1095
1096
1097
1098
1099
1100
1101
1102
1103
1104
1105
1106
1107
1108
1109
1110
1111
1113
1113
1114
1115
1116
1117
1118
1119
1120
1121
1122
1123
1124
1125
1126
1127
1128
1129
1130
1131
1132
1133
1134
1135
1136
1137
1138
1139
1140
1141
1142
1143
1144
1145
1146
1147
1148
1149
1150
1151
1152
1153
1154
1155
1156
1157
1158
1159
1160
1161
1162
1163
1164
1165
1166
1167
1168
1169
1170
1171
1172
1173
1174
1175
1176
1177
1178
1179
1180
1181
1182
1183
1184
1185
1186
1187
1188
1189
1190
1191
1192
1193
1194
1195
1196
1197
1198
1199
1200
1201
1202
1203
1204
1205
1206
1207
1208
1209
1210
1211
1212
1213
1214
1215
1216
1217
1218
1219
1220
1221
1222
1223
1224
1225
1226
1227
1228
1229
1230
1231
1232
1233
1234
1235
1236
1237
1238
1239
1240
1241
1242
1243
1244
1245
1246
1247
1248
1249
1250
1251
1252
1253
1254
1255
1256
1257
1258
1259
1260
1261
1262
1263
1264
1265
1266
1267
1268
1269
1270
1271
1272
1273
1274
1275
1276
1277
1278
1279
1280
1281
1282
1283
1284
1285
1286
1287
1288
1289
1290
1291
1292
1293
1294
1295
1296
1297
1298
1299
1300
1301
1302
1303
1304
1305
1306
1307
1308
1309
1310
1311
1312
1313
1314
1315
1316
1317
1318
1319
1320
1321
1322
1323
1324
1325
1326
1327
1328
1329
1330
1331
1332
1333
1334
1335
1336
1337
1338
1339
1340
1341
1342
1343
1344
1345
1346
1347
1348
1349
1350
1351
1352
1353
1354
1355
1356
1357
1358
1359
1360
1361
1362
1363
1364
1365
1366
1367
1368
1369
1370
1371
1372
1373
1374
1375
1376
1377
1378
1379
1380
1381
1382
1383
1384
1385
1386
1387
1388
1389
1390
1391
1392
1393
1394
1395
1396
1397
1398
1399
1400
1401
1402
1403
1404
1405
1406
1407
1408
1409
1410
1411
1412
1413
1414
1415
1416
1417
1418
1419
1420
1421
1422
1423
1424
1425
1426
1427
1428
1429
1430
1431
1432
1433
1434
1435
1436
1437
1438
1439
1440
1441
1442
1443
1444
1445
1446
1447
1448
1449
1450
1451
1452
1453
1454
1455
1456
1457
1458
1459
1460
1461
1462
1463
1464
1465
1466
1467
1468
1469
1470
1471
1472
1473
1474
1475
1476
1477
1478
1479
1480
1481
1482
1483
1484
1485
1486
1487
1488
1489
1490
1491
1492
1493
1494
1495
1496
1497
1498
1499
1500
1501
1502
1503
1504
1505
1506
1507
1508
1509
1510
1511
1512
1513
1514
1515
1516
1517
1518
1519
1520
1521
1522
1523
1524
1525
1526
1527
1528
1529
1530
1531
1532
1533
1534
1535
1536
1537
1538
1539
1540
1541
1542
1543
1544
1545
1546
1547
1548
1549
1550
1551
1552
1553
1554
1555
1556
1557
1558
1559
1560
1561
1562
1563
1564
1565
1566
1567
1568
1569
1570
1571
1572
1573
1574
1575
1576
1577
1578
1579
1580
1581
1582
1583
1584
1585
1586
1587
1588
1589
1590
1591
1592
1593
1594
1595
1596
1597
1598
1599
1600
1601
1602
1603
1604
1605
1606
1607
1608
1609
1610
1611
1612
1613
1614
1615
1616
1617
1618
1619
1620
1621
1622
1623
1624
1625
1626
1627
1628
1629
1630
1631
1632
1633
1634
1635
1636
1637
1638
1639
1640
1641
1642
1643
1644
1645
1646
1647
1648
1649
1650
1651
1652
1653
1654
1655
1656
1657
1658
1659
1660
1661
1662
1663
1664
1665
1666
1667
1668
1669
1670
1671
1672
1673
1674
1675
1676
1677
1678
1679
1680
1681
1682
1683
1684
1685
1686
1687
1688
1689
1690
1691
1692
1693
1694
1695
1696
1697
1698
1699
1700
1701
1702
1703
1704
1705
1706
1707
1708
1709
1710
1711
1712
1713
1714
1715
1716
1717
1718
1719
1720
1721
1722
1723
1724
1725
1726
1727
1728
1729
1730
1731
1732
1733
1734
1735
1736
1737
1738
1739
1740
1741
1742
1743
1744
1745
1746
1747
1748
1749
1750
1751
1752
1753
1754
1755
1756
1757
1758
1759
1760
1761
1762
1763
1764
1765
1766
1767
1768
1769
1770
1771
1772
1773
1774
1775
1776
1777
1778
1779
1780
1781
1782
1783
1784
1785
1786
1787
1788
1789
1790
1791
1792
1793
1794
1795
1796
1797
1798
1799
1800
1801
1802
1803
1804
1805
1806
1807
1808
1809
1810
1811
1812
1813
1814
1815
1816
1817
1818
1819
1820
1821
1822
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
1852
1853
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
1859
1860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
1901
1902
1903
1904
1905
1906
1907
1908
1909
1910
1911
1912
1913

1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929

1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949

Example 10

5-BB(2F, 5F)B(2F) (No. 429) 5.0%
5-BB(F)B(2F) (No. 369) 10.0%
1V2-BEB(F, F)—C 5.0%
3-HB—C 15.0%
1-BTB-3 5.0%
2-BTB-1 5.0%
3-HH-4 11.0%
3-HHB-1 11.0%
3-HHB-3 9.0%
3-H2BTB-2 4.0%
3-H2BTB-3 4.0%
3-H2BTB-4 4.0%
3-HB(F)TB-2 6.0%
3-HB(F)TB-3 6.0%

    • NI=92.0 (° C.); η=23.2 (mPa·s); Δn=0.168; Δε=6.9; Vth=2.13 (V).

Example 11

5-HHB(2F, 5F)B (No. 792) 4.0%
5-HHB(F)B(2F) (No. 796) 4.0%
201-BEB(F)—C 5.0%
301-BEB(F)—C 15.0%
401-BEB(F)—C 13.0%
501-BEB(F)—C 13.0%
2-HHB(F)—C 15.0%
3-HHB(F)—C 15.0%
3-HB(F)TB-2 4.0%
3-HB(F)TB-3 4.0%
3-HHB-1 8.0%

    • NI=91.5 (° C.); η=89.9 (mPa·s); Δn=0.149; Δε=31.3; Vth=0.85 (V).

Example 12

5-BB(2F, 5F)B (No. 275) 3.0%
5-HHB(2F, 5F)B (No. 792) 5.0%
5-PyB—F 4.0%
3-PyB(F)—F 4.0%
2-BB—C 5.0%
4-BB—C 4.0%
5-BB—C 5.0%
2-PyB-2 2.0%
3-PyB-2 2.0%
4-PyB-2 2.0%
6-PyB—O6 3.0%
6-PyB—O7 3.0%
6-PyB—O8 3.0%
3-PyBB—F 6.0%
4-PyBB—F 6.0%
5-PyBB—F 6.0%
3-HHB-1 6.0%
3-HHB-3 8.0%
2-H2BTB-2 4.0%
2-H2BTB-3 4.0%
3-H2BTB-2 5.0%
3-H2BTB-3 5.0%
3-H2BTB-4 5.0%

    • NI=95.2 (° C.); η=37.7 (mPa·s); Δn=0.201; Δε=6.5; Vth=2.27 (V).

Example 13

5-BB(2F, 5F)B (No. 275) 5.0%
5-BB(F)B(2F) (No. 369) 2.0%
3-GB—C 10.0%
4-GB—C 10.0%
2-BEB—C 12.0%
3-BEB—C 4.0%
3-PyB(F)—F 6.0%
3-HEB—O4 8.0%
4-HEB—O2 6.0%
5-HEB—O1 6.0%
5-HEB—O2 4.0%
5-HEB-5 5.0%
4-HEB-5 5.0%
10-BEB-2 2.0%
3-HHB-1 6.0%
3-HHEBB—C 3.0%
3-HBEBB—C 3.0%
5-HBEBB—C 3.0%

    • NI=68.6 (° C.); η=41.2 (mPa·s); Δn=0.129; Δε=11.6; Vth=1.28 (V).

Example 14

5-BB(2F, 5F)B (No. 275) 3.0%
5-BB(F)B(2F) (No. 369) 9.0%
5-HHB(2F, 5F)B (No. 792) 3.0%
5-HHB(F)B(2F) (No. 796) 5.0%
3-HB—C 9.0%
7-HB—C 3.0%
101-HB—C 10.0%
3-HB(F)—C 10.0%
2-PyB-2 2.0%
3-PyB-2 2.0%
4-PyB-2 2.0%
101-HH-3 7.0%
2-BTB—O1 4.0%
3-HHB-1 7.0%
3-HHB—F 4.0%
3-HHB—O1 2.0%
3-HHB-3 8.0%
3-H2BTB-2 3.0%
2-PyBH-3 4.0%
3-PyBB-2 3.0%

    • NI=79.1 (° C.); η=24.1 (mPa·s); Δn=0.145; Δε=8.0; Vth=1.75 (V).

Example 15

5-BB(2F, 5F)B(2F) (No. 429) 9.0%
5-HHB(2F) (No. 1487) 5.0%
5-HH2B(2F) (No. 1744) 2.0%
5-HHB(2F, 5F)B (No. 792) 6.0%
2-BEB(F)—C 5.0%
3-BEB(F)—C 4.0%
4-BEB(F)—C 12.0%
1V2-BEB(F, F)—C 10.0%
3-HH-EMe 5.0%
3-HB—O2 9.0%
7-HEB—F 2.0%
3-HHEB—F 2.0%
5-HHEB—F 2.0%
3-HBEB—F 4.0%
2O1-HBEB(F)—C 2.0%
3-HB(F)EB(F)—C 2.0%
3-HBEB(F, F)—C 2.0%
3-HHB—F 2.0%
3-HHB—O1 4.0%
3-HHB-3 7.0%
3-HEBEB—F 2.0%
3-HEBEB-1 2.0%

    • NI=78.9 (° C.); η=48.1 (mPa·s); Δn=0.132; Δε=25.3; Vth=0.87 (V).

Example 16

5-BB(2F, 5F)B(2F) (No 429) 5.0%
5-HHB(2F, 5F)B (No. 792) 8.0%
5-HHB(F)B(2F) (No. 796) 7.0%
2-BEB(F)—C 5.0%
3-BEB(F)—C 4.0%
4-BEB(F)—C 12.0%
1V2-BEB(F, F)—C 16.0%
3-HB—O2 5.0%
3-HH-4 3.0%
3-HHB—F 3.0%
3-HHB-1 4.0%
3-HHB—O1 4.0%
3-HBEB—F 4.0%
3-HHEB—F 7.0%
3-H2BTB-2 4.0%
3-H2BTB-3 4.0%
3-HB(F)TB-2 5.0%

    • NI=91.4 (° C.); η=49.9 (mPa·s); Δn=0.154; Δε=28.6; Vth=1.04 (V).

Example 17

5-BB(2F, 5F)B (No. 275) 5.0%
5-BB(F)B(2F) (No. 369) 14.0%
5-HHB(2F) (No. 1487) 4.0%
5-HHB(2F, 5F)B (No. 792) 3.0%
2-BEB—C 12.0%
3-BEB—C 4.0%
4-BEB—C 6.0%
3-HB—C 14.0%
3-HEB—O4 12.0%
4-HEB—O2 8.0%
5-HEB—O1 4.0%
3-HEB—O2 6.0%
3-HHB-1 4.0%
3-HHB—O1 4.0%

    • NI=63.4 (° C.); η=33.4 (mPa·s); Δn=0.134; Δε=9.8; Vth=1.38 (V).

Example 18

5-BB(2F, 5F)B(2F) (No. 429) 10.0%
5-BB(F)B(2F) (No. 369) 7.0%
5-HH2B(2F) (No. 1744) 6.0%
5-HHB(2F, 5F)B (No. 792) 4.0%
2-BEB—C 10.0%
5-BB—C 12.0%
1-BTB-3 7.0%
10-BEB-2 10.0%
10-BEB-5 12.0%
2-HHB-1 4.0%
3-HHB—F 4.0%
3-HHB-1 3.0%
3-HHB—O1 4.0%
3-HHB-3 7.0%

    • NI=65.1 (° C.); η=33.6 (mPa·s); Δn=0.158; Δε=6.7; Vth=1.74 (V).

Example 19

5-BB(2F, 5F)B(2F) (No. 429) 7.0%
5-BB(F)B(2F) (No. 369) 6.0%
5-HH2B(2F) (No. 1744) 4.0%
5-HHB(2F, 5F)B (No. 792) 7.0%
2-HB—C 5.0%
3-HB—C 6.0%
3-HB—O2 8.0%
2-BTB-1 3.0%
3-HHB-1 4.0%
3-HHB—F 4.0%
3-HHB—O1 5.0%
3-HHB-3 7.0%
3-HHEB—F 4.0%
5-HHEB—F 4.0%
2-HHB(F)—F 7.0%
3-HHB(F)—F 7.0%
5-HHB(F)—F 7.0%
3-HHB(F, F)—F 5.0%

    • NI=99.5 (° C.); η=30.1 (mPa·s); Δn=0.115; Δε=4.9; Vth=2.49 (V).

Example 20

5-BB(F)B(2F) (No. 369) 4.0%
5-HHB(2F) (No. 1487) 7.0%
5-HHB(2F, 5F)B (No. 1744) 7.0%
5-HHB(F)B(2F) (No. 792) 6.0%
3-BEB(F)—C 8.0%
3-HB—C 4.0%
V—HB—C 8.0%
1V—HB—C 8.0%
3-HB—O2 3.0%
3-HH-2V 7.0%
3-HH-2V1 7.0%
V2-HHB-1 8.0%
3-HHB-1 5.0%
3-HHEB—F 7.0%
3-H2BTB-2 6.0%
3-H2BTB-4 5.0%

    • NI=101.2 (° C.); η=27.3 (mPa·s); Δn=0.136; Δε=8.7; Vth=2.16 (V).

Example 21

5-BB (2F, 5F) B (2F) (No. 429) 3.0%
5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 18.0%
5-HHB (2F, 5F) B (No. 792) 5.0%
5-HHB (F) B (2F) (No. 796) 4.0%
V2-HB-C 6.0%
1V2-HB-C 12.0%
3-HB-C 12.0%
3-HB (F)-C 5.0%
2-BTB-1 2.0%
3-HH-4 8.0%
3-HH-VFF 3.0%
2-HHB-C 3.0%
3-HHB-C 6.0%
3-HB (F) TB-2 4.0%
3-H2BTB-3 5.0%
3-H2BTB-4 4.0%

    • NI=88.6 (° C.); η=28.9 (mPa·s); Δn=0.165; Δε=8.4; Vth=2.06 (V).

Example 22

5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 5.0%
5-HHB (2F, 5F) B (No. 792) 8.0%
5-HHB (F) B (2F) (No. 796) 2.0%
5-BEB (F)-C 5.0%
V-HB-C 6.0%
5-PyB-C 6.0%
4-BB-3 11.0%
3-HH-2V 10.0%
5-HH-V 11.0%
V-HHB-1 4.0%
V2-HHB-1 15.0%
3-HHB-1 9.0%
1V2-HBB-2 5.0%
3-HHEBH-3 3.0%

    • NI=92.0 (° C.); η=20.4 (mPa·s); Δn=0.120; Δε=4.7; Vth=2.38 (V).

Example 23

5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 12.0%
5-HHB (2F, 5F) B (No. 792) 4.0%
5-HHB (F) B (2F) (No. 796) 4.0%
1V2-BEB (F, F)-C 8.0%
3-HB-C 5.0%
V2V-HB-C 7.0%
V2V-HH-3 19.0%
3-HB-O2 4.0%
3-HHB-1 10.0%
3-HHB-3 15.0%
3-HB (F) TB-3 4.0%
3-H2BTB-2 4.0%
3-H2BTB-4 4.0%

    • NI=101.1 (° C.); η=23.4 (mPa·s); Δn=0.133; Δε=7.7; Vth=2.13 (V).

Example 24

5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 5.0%
5-HHB (2F, 5F) B (No. 792) 3.0%
5-HHB (F) B (2F) (No. 796) 5.0%
V2-HB-TC 10.0%
3-HB-TC 10.0%
3-HB-C 5.0%
5-HB-C 7.0%
5-BB-C 3.0%
2-BTB-1 10.0%
2-BTB-O1 5.0%
3-HH-4 5.0%
3-HHB-1 10.0%
3-HHB-3 11.0%
3-H2BTB-3 3.0%
3-HB (F) TB-2 3.0%
5-BTB (F) TB-3 5.0%

    • NI=101.6 (° C.); η=18.7 (mPa·s); Δn=0.194; Δε=6.6; Vth=2.14 (V).

Example 25

5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 9.0%
5-HHB (2F, 5F) B (No. 792) 4.0%
1V2-BEB (F, F)-C 6.0%
3-HB-C 9.0%
2-BTB-1 10.0%
5-HH-VFF 30.0%
1-BHH-VFF 8.0%
1-BHH-2VFF 11.0%
3-H2BTB-2 5.0%
3-H2BTB-3 4.0%
3-HHB-1 4.0%

    • NI=82.3 (° C.); η=16.0 (mPa·s); Δn=0.135; Δε=6.3; Vth=2.11 (V).

Example 26

5-BB (2F, SF) B (2F) (No. 429) 5.0%
5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 9.0%
5-HHB (2F, 5F) B (No. 792) 5.0%
5-HBCF2OB (F, F)-C 3.0%
3-HB (F, F) CF2OB (F, F)-C 3.0%
3-HB-C 9.0%
2-BTB-1 5.0%
5-HH-VFF 30.0%
1-BHH-VFF 8.0%
1-BHH-2VFF 11.0%
3-H2BTB-3 4.0%
3-H2BTB-4 4.0%
3-HHB-1 4.0%

    • NI=84.7 (° C.); η=21.1 (mPa·s); Δn=0.129; Δε=4.3; Vth=2.59 (V).

Example 27

5-BB (2F, 5F) B (No. 275) 5.0%
5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 6.0%
5-HH2B (2F) (No. 1744) 5.0%
2-HHB (F)-F 17.0%
3-HHB (F)-F 17.0%
5-HHB (F)-F 16.0%
2-H2HB (F)-F 5.0%
3-H2HB (F)-F 5.0%
5-H2HB (F)-F 5.0%
3-HBB (F)-F 6.0%
5-HBB (F)-F 13.0%

    • NI=98.1 (° C.); η=28.3 (mPa·s); Δn=0.105; Δε=5.0; Vth=2.18 (V).

Example 28

5-BB (2F, 5F) B (No. 275) 3.0%
5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 9.0%
5-HHB (2F) (No. 1487) 4.0%
5-HH2B (2F) (No. 1744) 10.0%
7-HB (F, F) F 3.0%
3-HB-O2 4.0%
2-HHB (F)-F 10.0%
3-HHB (F)-F 10.0%
3-HBB (F)-F 9.0%
5-HBB (F)-F 16.0%
3-HBB-F 4.0%
5-HBB-F 3.0%
3-HBB (F, F)-F 5.0%
5-HBB (F, F)-F 10.0%

    • NI=82.9 (° C.); η=30.8 (mPa·s); Δn=0.123; Δε=5.6; Vth=2.01 (V).

Example 29

5-HHB (2F, 5F) B (No. 792) 3.0%
5-HHB (F) B (2F) (No. 796) 3.0%
5-HB-CL 16.0%
3-HH-4 12.0%
3-HH-5 4.0%
3-HHB-F 4.0%
4-HHB-CL 4.0%
3-HHB (F)-F 10.0%
4-HHB (F)-F 9.0%
5-HHB (F)-F 9.0%
7-HHB (F)-F 8.0%
5-HBB (F)-F 4.0%
5-HBBH-1O1 3.0%
3-HHBB (F, F)-F 2.0%
4-HHBB (F. F)-F 3.0%
5-HHBB (F, F)-F 3.0%
3-HH2BB (F, F)-F 3.0%

    • NI=115.1 (° C.); η=20.4 (mPa·s); Δn=0.092; Δε=3.7; Vth=2.57 (V).

Example 30

5-BB (2F, 5F) B (No. 275) 10.0%
5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 10.0%
5-HHB (2F) (No. 1487) 4.0%
5-HHB (2F, 5F) B (No. 792) 4.0%
5-HHB (F) B (2F) (No. 796) 4.0%
3-HHB (F, F)-F 9.0%
3-H2HB (F, F)-F 8.0%
4-H2HB (F, F)-F 4.0%
5-H2HB (F, F)-F 4.0%
3-HBB (F, F)-F 11.0%
5-HBB (F, F)-F 10.0%
3-H2BB (F, F)-F 10.0%
5-HHBB (F, F)-F 3.0%
5-HHEBB-F 2.0%
3-HH2BB (F, F)-F 3.0%
4-HBBH-1O1 4.0%

    • NI=97.6 (° C.); η=38.6 (mPa·s); Δn=0.138; Δε=8.0; Vth=1.85 (V).

Example 31

5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 10.0%
5-HHB (2F, 5F) B (No. 792) 4.0%
5-HB-F 12.0%
6-HB-F 9.0%
7-HB-F 7.0%
2-HHB-OCF3 7.0%
3-HHB-OCF3 7.0%
4-HHB-OCF3 7.0%
5-HHB-OCF3 5.0%
5-HH2B-OCF3 4.0%
3-HHB (F, F)-OCF3 5.0%
3-HBB (F)-F 10.0%
3-HH2B (F)-F 3.0%
3-HB (F) BH-3 3.0%
5-HBBH-3 3.0%
3-HHB (F, F)-OCF2H 4.0%

    • NI=83.4 (° C.); η=18.7 (mPa·s); Δn=0.103; Δε=4.5; Vth=2.37 (V).

Example 32

5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 11.0%
5-HHB (2F) (No. 1487) 2.0%
2-HHB (F)-F 3.0%
2-HBB (F)-F 7.0%
3-HBB (F)-F 7.0%
5-HBB (F)-F 15.0%
2-H2BB (F)-F 10.0%
3-H2BB (F)-F 10.0%
3-HBB (F, F)-F 11.0%
5-HBB (F, F)-F 6.0%
2-HHBB (F, F)-F 5.0%
3-HHBB (F, F)-F 5.0%
4-HHBB (F, F)-F 5.0%
3-HHB-F 3.0%

    • NI=96.2 (° C.); η=34.7 (mPa·s); Δn=0.146; Δε=7.0; Vth=1.95 (V).

Example 33

5-BB (2F, 5F) B (2F) (No. 429) 5.0%
5-BB (F) B (2 F) (No. 369) 10.0%
5-HHB (F) B (2F) (No. 796) 3.0%
5-HB-CL 6.0%
3-HH-4 8.0%
3-HBB (F, F)-F 10.0%
5-HBB (F, F)-F 15.0%
3-HHB (F, F)-F 8.0%
3-HHEB (F, F)-F 10.0%
4-HHEB (F, F)-F 3.0%
5-HHEB (F, F)-F 3.0%
2-HBEB (F, F)-F 3.0%
3-HBEB (F, F)-F 5.0%
5-HBEB (F, F)-F 3.0%
3-HHBB (F, F)-F 3.0%
3-HHB-1 5.0%

    • NI=80.9 (° C.); η=26.8 (mPa·s); Δn=0.119; Δε=8.3; Vth=1.58 (V).

Example 34

5-BB (2F, 5F) B (No. 275) 2.0%
5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 11.0%
5-HHB (2F, 5F) B (No. 792) 4.0%
5-HHB (F) B (2F) (No. 796) 4.0%
7-HB (F)-F 6.0%
5-H2B (F)-F 6.0%
3-HB-O2 4.0%
3-HH-4 12.0%
3-HHB (F)-F 11.0%
5-HHB (F)-F 11.0%
3-HBB (F)-F 2.0%
5-HBB (F)-F 4.0%
3-HBB (F, F)-F 3.0%
3-HHBB (F, F)-F 5.0%
5-HHEB-F 4.0%
3-HHB-1 7.0%
3-HHB-F 4.0%

    • NI=98.1 (° C.); η=23.1 (mPa·s); Δn=0.107; Δε=4.3; Vth=2.29 (V).

Example 35

3-BB (2F, 5F) B (No. 273) 10.0%
5-BB (2F, 5F) B (No. 275) 10.0%
3-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 368) 10.0%
5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 10.0%
3-HH-4 4.0%
3-H2HB (F, F)-F 10.0%
4-H2HB (F, F)-F 10.0%
5-H2HB (F, F)-F 8.0%
3-HBB (F, F)-F 13.0%
5-HBB (F, F)-F 12.0%
3-HHBB (F, F)-F 3.0%

    • NI=61.4 (° C.); η=33.4 (mPa·s); Δn=0.142; Δε=7.0; Vth=1.57 (V).

Example 36

5-BB (2F, 5F) B (No. 275) 5.0%
5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 3.0%
5-HHB (F) B (2F) (No. 796) 3.0%
7-HB (F, F)—F 5.0%
3-H2HB (F, F)—F 12.0%
4-H2HB (F, F)—F 5.0%
3-HHB (F, F)—F 10.0%
4-HHB (F, F)—F 5.0%
3-HBB (F, F)—F 10.0%
3-HHEB (F, F)—F 10.0%
5-HHEB (F, F)—F 3.0%
2-HBEB (F, F)—F 3.0%
3-HBEB (F, F)—F 5.0%
5-HBEB (F, F)—F 3.0%
3-HGB (F, F)—F 15.0%
3-HHBB (F, F)—F 3.0%

    • NI=72.7 (° C.); η=35.1 (mPa·s); Δn=0.096; Δε=12.8; Vth=1.38 (V).

Example 37

5-BB (2F, 5F) B (2F) (No. 429) 4.0%
5-HHB (2F) (No. 1487) 5.0%
5-H4HB (F, F)—F 7.0%
5-H4HB—OCF3 15.0%
3-H4HB (F, F)—CF3 8.0%
5-H4HB (F, F)—CF3 10.0%
3-HB—CL 6.0%
2-H2BB (F)—F 5.0%
3-H2BB (F)—F 5.0%
5-H2HB (F, F)—F 5.0%
3-HHB—OCF3 5.0%
3-H2HB—OCF3 5.0%
V-HHB (F)—F 5.0%
3-HHB (F)—F 5.0%
5-HHB (F)—F 5.0%
3-HBEB (F, F)—F 5.0%

    • NI=70.7 (° C.); η=29.1 (mPa·s); Δn=0.099; Δε=8.0; Vth=1.79 (V).

Example 38

5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 5.0%
5-HHB (2F) (No. 1487) 3.0%
5-HHB (2F, 5F) B (No. 792) 4.0%
5-HB—CL 17.0%
7-HB (F, F)—F 3.0%
3-HH-4 10.0%
3-HH-5 5.0%
3-HB—O2 15.0%
4-H2HB (F, F)—F 5.0%
3-HHB (F, F)—F 6.0%
2-HHB (F)—F 4.0%
3-HHB (F)—F 7.0%
5-HHB (F)—F 7.0%
3-HHB-1 4.0%
3-HHB—O1 5.0%

    • NI=70.9 (° C.); η=16.6 (mPa·s); Δn=0.084; Δε=2.7; Vth=2.02 (V).

Example 39

5-BB (2F, 5F) B (2F) (No. 429) 2.0%
5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 11.0%
5-HH2B (2F) (No. 1744) 9.0%
5-HHB (F) B (2F) (No. 796) 3.0%
5-HB—CL 2.0%
4-HHB (F)—F 10.0%
5-HHB (F)—F 9.0%
3-HHB (F, F)—F 8.0%
4-HHB (F, F)—F 3.0%
3-H2HB (F, F)—F 12.0%
3-HBB (F, F)—F 11.0%
2-HHBB (F, F)—F 3.0%
3-GHB (F, F)—F 3.0%
4-GHB (F, F)—F 8.0%
5-GHB (F, F)—F 6.0%

    • NI=79.1 (° C.); η=35.1 (mPa·s); Δn=0.103; Δε=8.0; Vth=1.28 (V).

Example 40

5-BB (2F, 5F) B (No. 275) 7.0%
5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 11.0%
5-HHB (F) B (2F) (No. 796) 5.0%
2-HHB (F)—F 7.0%
3-HHB (F)—F 8.0%
3-HHB (F, F)—F 8.0%
3-HBB (F, F)—F 10.0%
3-H2HB (F, F)—F 10.0%
3-HHEB (F, F)—F 5.0%
4-HHEB (F, F)—F 3.0%
2-HBEB (F, F)—F 2.0%
3-HBEB (F, F)—F 3.0%
3-GHB (F, F)—F 3.0%
4-GHB (F, F)—F 7.0%
5-GHB (F, F)—F 7.0%
3-HHBB (F, F)—F 4.0%

    • NI=79.0 (° C.); η=40.7 (mPa·s); Δn=0.114; Δε=10.2; Vth=1.13 (V).

Example 41

5-HHB (2F) (No. 1487) 5.0%
5-HH2B (2F) (No. 1744) 8.0%
7-HB (F)—F 7.0%
5-HB—CL 3.0%
3-HH-4 9.0%
3-HH-EMe 18.0%
3-HHEB (F, F)—F 10.0%
4-HHEB (F, F)—F 5.0%
3-HHEB—F 4.0%
5-HHEB—F 4.0%
4-HGB (F, F)—F 5.0%
5-HGB (F, F)—F 6.0%
2-H2GB (F, F)—F 4.0%
3-H2GB (F, F)—F 5.0%
5-GHB (F, F)—F 7.0%

    • NI=74.7 (° C.); η=22.8 (mPa·s); Δn=0.063; Δε=5.6; Vth=1.47 (V).

Example 42

5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 15.0%
3-H2HB (F, F)—F 5.0%
5-H2HB (F, F)—F 5.0%
3-HBB (F, F)—F 15.0%
5-HBB (F, F)—F 30.0%
5-HBB (F) B-2 10.0%
5-HBB (F) B-3 10.0%
3-BB (F) B (F, F)—F 5.0%
5-B2B (F, F) B (F)—F 5.0%

    • NI=104.8 (° C.); η=51.5 (mPa·s); Δn=0.166; Δε=9.8; Vth=1.76 (V).

Example 43

5-BB (2F, 5F) B (2F) (No. 429) 3.0%
5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 8.0%
5-HHB (2F) (No. 1487) 7.0%
5-HHB (2F, 5F) B (No. 792) 6.0%
3-HB (F, F) CF2OB (F, F)—F 11.0%
5-HB (F, F) CF2OB (F, F)—F 11.0%
5-HB—CL 4.0%
3-HH-4 7.0%
2-HH-5 4.0%
3-HHB-1 4.0%
5-HHEB—F 6.0%
3-HHB (F, F)—F 6.0%
4-HHB (F, F)—F 3.0%
4-HHEB (F, F)—F 3.0%
5-HHEB (F, F)—F 2.0%
2-HBEB (F, F)—F 3.0%
3-HBEB (F, F)—F 3.0%
5-HBEB (F, F)—F 3.0%
2-HHBB (F, F)—F 3.0%
3-HHBB (F, F)—F 3.0%

    • NI=80.3 (° C.); η=29.4 (mPa·s); Δn=0.100; Δε=8.3; Vth=1.24 (V).

Example 44

5-BB (F) B (2F) (No. 369) 4.0%
5-HHB (F) B (2F) (No. 796) 3.0%
3-BB (F, F) CF2OB (F, F)—F 35.0%
3-HH-4 8.0%
3-HHB (F, F)—F 10.0%
3-H2HB (F, F)—F 5.0%
3-HBB (F, F)—F 15.0%
2-HHBB (F, F)—F 3.0%
3-HHBB (F, F)—F 3.0%
3-HH2BB (F, F)—F 4.0%
3-HHB-1 3.0%
5-HBBH-1O1 7.0%

    • NI=80.6 (° C.); η=30.5 (mPa·s); Δn=0.123; Δε=12.5; Vth=1.36 (V).

Example 45

5-HHB (2F) (No. 1487) 9.0%
3-HEB—O4 28.0%
4-HEB—O2 20.0%
5-HEB—O1 20.0%
3-HEB—O2 9.0%
5-HEB—O2 14.0%

    • NI=76.9 (° C.); η=20.6 (mPa·s); Δn=0.087.

Example 46

5-HH2B (2F) (No. 1744) 12.0%
5-HHB (2F, 5F) B (No. 792) 7.0%
3-HH-2 5.0%
3-HH-4 6.0%
3-HH—O1 4.0%
3-HH—O3 5.0%
5-HH—O1 4.0%
3-HB (2F, 3F)—O2 12.0%
5-HB (2F, 3F)—O2 11.0%
3-HHB (2F, 3F)—O2 7.0%
5-HHB (2F, 3F)—O2 15.0%
3-HHB (2F, 3F)-2 12.0%

    • NI=87.6 (° C.); Δn=0.081; Δε=−4.4.

Example 47

5-HHB (2F) (No. 1487) 2.0%
5-HH2B (2F) (No. 1744) 5.0%
5-HHB (2F, 5F) B (No. 792) 6.0%
3-HH-5 5.0%
3-HH-4 5.0%
3-HH—O1 6.0%
3-HH—O3 6.0%
3-HB—O1 5.0%
3-HB—O2 5.0%
3-HB (2F, 3F)—O2 10.0%
5-HB (2F, 3F)—O2 10.0%
3-HHB (2F, 3F)—O2 6.0%
5-HHB (2F, 3F)—O2 13.0%
3-HHB (2F, 3F)-2 2.0%
2-HHB (2F, 3F)-1 4.0%
3-HHEH-3 5.0%
4-HHEH-3 5.0%

    • NI=84.2 (° C.); Δn=0.080; Δε=−3.4.

Example 48

2-HHB (F)—F 13.3%
3-HHB (F)—F 13.3%
5-HHB (F)—F 13.3%
2-H2HB (F)—F 13.3%
3-H2HB (F)—F 6.7%
5-H2HB (F)—F 13.3%
2-HB (F)—F 6.7%
3-HB (F)—F 6.7%
5-HB (F)—F 13.4%

A composition (F-Mix) consisting of the nine compounds described above is prepared. The composition (F-Mix) was mixed with the compound (No. 275) in the following ratio, and the physical properties of the mixture are as shown below. The composition was kept in a freezer at −20° C. According to the observation after 30 days, the composition still had a nematic phase, and did not changed to a smectic phase or crystals.

5-BB (2F, 5F) B (No. 275) 10.0%
F-Mix 90.0%

    • η=29.2 (mPa·s); Δn=0.105; Δε=4.2; Vth=2.35 (V).

Comparative Example 1

2-BB (2F, 5F) B-2 10.0%
F-Mix 90.0%

    • η=27.8 (mPa·s); Δn=0.107; Δε=4.2; Vth=2.33 (V).

For comparison, 2-BB(2F,5F)B-2 and composition (F-Mix) were mixed. The mixture was kept in a freezer at −20° C., and crystals were separated out after 14 days.

Example 48 is compared with Comparative Example 1. The compound No. 275 and 2-BB(2F,5F)B-2 differ in the terminal group, but they are almost equal in molecular weight. On the other hand, physical properties of the two compositions are similar. Values of viscosity, optical anisotropy, dielectric anisotropy, and threshold voltage are almost equal. However, the two compounds differ considerably in a miscibility at low temperature. The compound of this invention has an excellent miscibility at low temperature.

In Example 10 described above, when 0.8% by weight of the optically active compound (Op-4) based on the composition was added to the composition, a value of the pitch was 11.2 μm. In Example 27 described above, when 0.3% by weight of the optically active compound (Op-8) based on the composition was added to the composition, a value of the pitch was 79.2 μm.

Effect of the Invention

The compound (1) has a good stability for heat and ultraviolet, a large optical anisotropy, a small dielectric anisotropy, and an excellent miscibility with other liquid crystal compounds. The composition comprising the compound has the general characteristics required for a composition, a large optical anisotropy and good miscibility at low temperature. The composition is especially useful for a liquid crystal display element having a small cell gap.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A compound represented by the following formula (1):

wherein Ra is alkyl having 1 to 15 carbons and any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O—, —S—, —CH═CH—, or —C≡C—; A1, A2 and A3 independently are 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine, naphthalene-2,6-diyl in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine, or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl in which any —CH═ may be replaced by —CF═; Z1, Z2 and Z3 independently are a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —(CF2)2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF—, —C≡C—, —(CH2)4—, —(CH2)3O—, or —O(CH2)3—; n and m independently are 0 or 1; phenyl having (F)p is phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, 2,3,5-trifluorophenyl, or 2,3,6-trifluorophenyl; with the proviso that when A1, A2 and A3 are 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine and Z1, Z2 and Z3 are a single bond, the total number of fluorine in formula (1) is at least two; and with the further proviso that the following compounds are excluded:

wherein R is alkoxy or alkoxyalkoxy, and

wherein R1 is alkyl, either one of a1 or a2 is fluorine and the other thereof is hydrogen.

2. A compound represented by the following formula (1):

wherein Ra is alkyl having 1 to 15 carbons and any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH—; A1, A2 and A3 independently are 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine, or naphthalene-2,6-diyl in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; Z1, Z2 and Z3 independently are a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, or —(CH2)4—; n and m independently are 0 or 1; phenyl having (F)p is phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 2,5-difluorophenyl, 2,3,5-trifluorophenyl, or 2,3,6-trifluorophenyl; with the proviso that when A1, A2 and A3 are 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine and Z1, Z2 and Z3 are a single bond, the total number of fluorine in formula (1) is at least two; and with the further proviso that the following compounds are excluded:

wherein R is alkoxy or alkoxyalkoxy, and

wherein R1 is alkyl, either one of a1 or a2 is fluorine and the other thereof is hydrogen.

3. The compound according to claim 1 or 2, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is phenyl.

4. The compound according to claim 1 or 2, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is 2-fluorophenyl.

5. The compound according to claim 1 or 2, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is 2,5-difluorophenyl.

6. The compound according to claim 1 or 2, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is 2,3,5-trifluorophenyl.

7. The compound according to claim 1 or 2, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is 2,3,6-trifluorophenyl.

8. The compound according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Z1, Z2 and Z3 in formula (1) independently are a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, or —(CH2)4—.

9. The compound according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in formula (1), A1, A2 and A3 independently are 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine or naphthalene-2,6-diyl in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; and Z1, Z2 and Z3 independently are a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —CH2O—, or —OCH2—.

10. The compound according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in formula (1), at least one of A1 and A2 is 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, or 2,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene; Z1 and Z2 independently are a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —CH2O—, or —OCH2—; n is 1 and m is 0; and phenyl having (F)p is phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl or 2,5-difluorophenyl.

11. The compound according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in formula (1), at least two of A1, A2 and A3 are 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, or 2,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene; Z1, Z2 and Z3 independently are a single bond, —(CH2)2— or —OCH2—; n is 1 and m is 1; and phenyl having (F)p is phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl or 2,5-difluorophenyl.

12. The compound according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in formula (1), A1, A2 and A3 independently are 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, or 2,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene; and phenyl having (F)p is phenyl, 2-fluorophenyl or 2,5-difluorophenyl.

13. The compound according to claim 12, wherein Z1, Z2 and Z3 in formula (1) are a single bond or —(CH2)2—.

14. The compound according to claim 13, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is phenyl.

15. The compound according to claim 13, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is 2-fluorophenyl.

16. The compound according to claim 13, wherein phenyl having (F)p in formula (1) is 2,5-difluorophenyl.

17. A compound represented by any of the following formulas:

wherein Ra is alkyl having 1 to 15 carbons and any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH—.

18. A liquid crystal composition comprising at least one compound described in claim 1 or 2.

19. The composition according to claim 18, further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by formulas (2), (3) and (4):

wherein R1 is alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH— and any hydrogen in the alkyl may be replaced by fluorine; X1 is fluorine, chlorine, —OCF3, —OCHF2, —CF3, —CHF2, —CH2F, —OCF2CHF2, or —OCF2CHFCF3; ring B and ring D independently are 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl or 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; ring E is 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; Z4 and Z5 independently are —(CH2)2—,

—(CH2)4—, —COO—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH═CH—, or a single bond; and L1 and L2 independently are hydrogen or fluorine.

20. The composition according to claim 18, further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by formulas (5) and (6):

wherein R2 and R3 independently are alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or

—CH═CH— and any hydrogen in the alkyl may be replaced by fluorine; X2 is —CN or —C≡C—CN; ring G is 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, or pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; ring J is 1,4-cyclohexylene, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl or 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; ring K is 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; Z6 is —(CH2)2—, —COO—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, or a single bond; L3, L4 and L5 independently are hydrogen or fluorine; and b, c and d independently are 0 or 1.

21. The composition according to claim 18, further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by formulas (7), (8) and (9):

wherein R4 and R5 independently are alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or

—CH═CH— and any hydrogen in the alkyl may be replaced by fluorine; ring M and ring P independently are 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; Z7 and Z8 independently are —(CH2)2—, —COO— or a single bond; L6 and L7 independently are hydrogen or fluorine, and at least one of L6 and L7 is fluorine.

22. The composition according to claim 19, further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by formulas (10), (11) and (12):

wherein R6 and R7 independently are alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or

—CH═CH— and any hydrogen in the alkyl may be replaced by fluorine; ring Q, ring T and ring U independently are 1,4-cyclohexylene, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, or 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; Z9 and Z10 independently are —C≡C—, —COO—, —(CH2)2—, —CH═CH—, or a single bond.

23. The composition according to claim 20, further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by formulas (10), (11) and (12):

wherein R6 and R7 independently are alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH— and any hydrogen in the alkyl may be replaced by fluorine; ring Q, ring T and ring U independently are 1,4-cyclohexylene, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, or 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; Z9 and Z10 independently are —C≡C—, —COO—, —(CH2)2—, —CH═CH—, or a single bond.

24. The composition according to claim 21, further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by formulas (10), (11) and (12):

wherein R6 and R7 independently are alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH— and any hydrogen in the alkyl may be replaced by fluorine; ring Q, ring T and ring U independently are 1,4-cyclohexylene, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, or 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; Z9 and Z10 independently are —C≡C—, —COO—, —(CH2)2—, —CH═CH—, or a single bond.

25. The composition according to claim 22, further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by formulas (5) and (6);

wherein R2 and R3 independently are alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, any —CH2— in the alkyl may be replaced by —O— or —CH═CH— and any hydrogen in the alkyl may be replaced by fluorine; X2 is —CN or —C≡C—CN; ring G is 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, or pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; ring J is 1,4-cyclohexylene, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl or 1,4-phenylene in which any hydrogen may be replaced by fluorine; ring K is 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; Z6 is —(CH2)2—, —COO—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, or a single bond; L3, L4 and L5 independently are hydrogen or fluorine; and b, c and d independently are 0 or 1.

26. The composition according to claim 18, further comprising at least one optically active compound.

27. A liquid crystal display element comprising the composition described in claims 18.

Resources

Images & Drawings included:

Sources:

Recent applications in this class:

Recent applications for this Assignee: