Claims
- 1. A liquid crystal composition, comprising:
- (I) at least one fluorine-containing mesomorphic compound (a) having smectic phase or having latent smectic phase, wherein the compound (a) is represented by the following formula (I): ##STR67## in which B.sub.1, D.sub.1 and F.sub.1 independently denote ##STR68## a, b and c independently denote an integer of 0-3 with the proviso that a+b+c is at least 2;
- M.sub.1 and N.sub.1 independently denote --COO--, --OCO--, --COS--, --SCO--, --COSe--, --SeCO--, --COTe--, --TeCO--, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.CH--, --C.tbd.C--, --CH.dbd.N--, --N.dbd.CH--, --CH.sub.2 O--, --OCH.sub.2 --, --CO--, --O-- or a single bond;
- X, Y and Z independently denote --H, --Cl, --F, --Br, --I, --OH, --OCH.sub.3, --CN or --NO.sub.2 and l, m and n independently denote an integer of 0-4;
- G.sub.1 is --COO--C.sub.e H.sub.2e --, --O--C.sub.e H.sub.2e --, --C.sub.e H.sub.2e --, --OSOO--, --OOSO--, --OOSO-- --SOOC.sub.e H.sub.2e --, --OC.sub.e H.sub.2e --OC.sub.e' H.sub.2e' --, --C.sub.e H.sub.2e --N(C.sub.p H.sub.2p+1)--SO.sub.2 --, --C.sub.e H.sub.2e --N(C.sub.p H.sub.2p+1)--CO-- wherein e and e' independently denote an integer of 1-20 and p is an integer of 0-4;
- A.sub.1 is a linear or branched group represented by --O--C.sub.f H.sub.2f --O--C.sub.g H.sub.2g+1, --C.sub.f H.sub.2f --O--C.sub.g H.sub.2g+1, --C.sub.f H.sub.2f --R', --O--C.sub.f H.sub.2f --R', --COO--C.sub.f H.sub.2f --R', --OCO--C.sub.f H.sub.2f --R' wherein R' is --Cl, --F, --CF.sub.3, --NO.sub.2, --CN, --H, --COO--C.sub.f' H.sub.2f'+1 or --OCO--C.sub.f' H.sub.2f'+1 in which f' is an integer of 1-20, and f and g independently denote an integer of 1-20; and
- R is --C.sub.x F.sub.2x+1 or .paren open-st.C.sub.x' F.sub.2x' O.paren close-st..sub.z C.sub.y F.sub.2y+1 wherein x is an integer of 1-20, x' is independently an integer of 1-10 for each C.sub.x' F.sub.2x' O group, y is an integer of 1-10, and z is an integer of 1-6; and
- (II) at least one optically active compound (b), wherein the compound (b) is represented by the following formula (II): ##STR69## in which D.sub.2, I.sub.2 and K.sub.2 independently denote a group having an aromatic ring, a group having a heteroaromatic ring, an alicyclic group, a group have a fused ring comprising these rings, or a group formed by connecting these rings, each of these rings being optionally substituted with an appropriate group;
- B.sub.2,G.sub.2, J.sub.2 and L.sub.2 independently denote a single bond, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --C.tbd.C--, --CONR.sub.2 --, --NR.sub.2 CO--, --NR.sub.2, --CH.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.N--, --N.dbd.CH--, --CH.dbd.CH--, --COS--, --SCO--, --(CH.sub.2).sub.n3 --, --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 -- wherein R.sub.2 is an alkyl group having 1-5 carbon atoms and n3 is an integer of 1-20;
- A.sub.2 and N.sub.2 independently denote hydrogen or linear or branched alkyl group capable of including at least one --CH.sub.2 -- group which can be replaced by --Y.sub.1 --, --Y.sub.1 CO--, --COY.sub.1 --, --CO--, --OCOO--, --CH.dbd.CH-- or --C.tbd.C-- wherein Y, is O or S;
- h and i are independently 0, 1 or 2; and
- M.sub.2 is a divalent group having 3 to 7 membered ring comprising carbon atom, oxygen atom or nitrogen atom each of which has sp hybrid orbital, Sp.sup.2 hybrid orbital or Sp.sup.3 hybrid orbital and can be substituted with hydrogen or other elements, the ring having at least one asymmetric carbon atom.
- 2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the fluorocarbon terminal portion of the compound (a) is --DC.sub.x F.sub.2x+1 or --D(C.sub.x' F.sub.2x'+1 O).sub.z C.sub.y F.sub.2y+1 in which
- x is 1-20;
- x' is independently 1-10 for each C.sub.x' F.sub.2x'+1 O group;
- y is 1-10;
- z is 1-10; and
- D is a single bond, --COO--C.sub.r H.sub.2r --, --OC.sub.r H.sub.2r --, --OC.sub.r H.sub.2r O--C.sub.r' H.sub.2r' --, --OSO.sub.2 --, --SO.sub.2 --, --SO.sub.2 --C.sub.r H.sub.2r --, --C.sub.r H.sub.2r --N(C.sub.p H.sub.2p+1)--SO.sub.2 --, or --C.sub.r H.sub.2r --N(C.sub.p H.sub.2p+1)--CO-- wherein r and r' are independently 1-20, and p is 0-4.
- 3. A composition according to claim 1, wherein R in the formula (I) is .paren open-st.C.sub.x' F.sub.2x' O.paren close-st..sub.z C.sub.y F.sub.2y+1 in which x', y and z have the same meanings as defined in claim 1.
- 4. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the compound (a) of the formula (I) is a fluorine-containing mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (I'): ##STR70## in which n2 is an integer of 5-10; and
- R" is --C.sub.x F.sub.2x+1 or .paren open-st.C.sub.x" F.sub.2x" O.paren close-st..sub.z' C.sub.y' F.sub.2y'+1 wherein x is an integer of 1-20, x" is independently an integer of 1-3 for each C.sub.x" F.sub.2x" O group, y' is an integer of 1-4, and z' is an integer of 1-3.
- 5. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the compound (b) of the formula (II) is an optically active compound represented by the following formula (III): ##STR71## in which R.sub.3 is hydrogen, --CN, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-20 carbon atoms, and R.sub.4 is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms, each alkyl groups of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 being capable of including at least one --CH.sub.2 -- group which can be replaced by --O--, --S--, --CO--, --CH(CN)--, --CH.dbd.CH--, --C.tbd.C, --COO-- or --OCO-- with the proviso that heteroatoms are not connected with each other;
- A.sub.5 is 1,4-phenylene capable of having one or two substituents comprising F, Cl, Br, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 or CN; pyridine-2,5-diyl; pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; pyrazine-2,5-diyl; pyridazine-3,6-diyl; 1,4-cyclohexylene; 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl; 1,3-dithiane-2,5-diyl; thiophene-2,5-diyl, thiazole-2,5-diyl; thiadizaole-2,5-diyl; benzoxazole-2,5-diyl; benzoxazole-2,6-diyl; benzothiazole-2,5-diyl; benzothiazole-2,6-diyl; benzofuran-2,5-diyl; benzofuran-2,6-diyl; quinoxaline-2,6-diyl; quinoline-2,6-diyl; 2,6-naphthylene; indan-2,5-diyl; 2-alkylindan-2,5-diyl having a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms; indanone-2,6-diyl; 2-alkylindanone-2,6-diyl having a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms; coumaran-2,5-diyl; or 2-alkylcourmaran-2,5-diyl having a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms;
- A.sub.3, A.sub.3 ' and A.sub.4 independently denote a single bond or a group selected from those for A.sub.5 independently of A.sub.5 ;
- X.sub.3 is a single bond, --COO--, --OCO--, --CH.sub.2 O--, --OCH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.CH-- or --C.tbd.C--;
- n3 is an integer of 1-20; and
- L is optically active butanolide-2,4-diyl; optically active 4-alkylbutanolide-2,4-diyl having a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-5 carbon atoms; or optically active 2-alkylbutanolide-2,4-diyl having a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-5 carbon atoms.
- 6. A composition according to claim 5, wherein the optically active compound of the formula (III) satisfies any one of the following conditions (IIIa), (IIIb) and (IIIc):
- (IIIa) A.sub.3 and A.sub.4 are independently selected from the group consisting of a single bond;
- 1,4-phenylene capable of having one or two substituents comprising F, Cl, Br, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 and/or CN; pyridine-2,5-diyl; pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; pyrazine-2,5-diyl; pyridazine-3,6-diyl; 1,4-cyclohexylene; thiophene-2,5-diyl, thiazole-2,5-diyl; thiadiazole-2,5-diyl; benzoxazole-2,6-diyl; benzothiazole-2,5-diyl; benzothiazole-2,6-diyl; benzofuran-2,5-diyl; benzofuran-2,6-diyl; quinoxaline-2,6-diyl; quinoline-2,6-diyl; 2,6-naphthylene; indan-2,5-diyl; and coumaran-2,5-diyl; and
- A.sub.5 is 1,4-phenylene capable of having one or two substituents comprising F, Cl, Br, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 and/or CN;
- (IIIb) X.sub.3 is A single bond;
- A.sub.4 is pyridine-2,5-diyl; pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; 1,4-cyclohexylene; thiophene-2,5-diyl; thiazole-2,5-diyl; thiadiazole-2,5-diyl; benzothiazole-2,6-diyl; quinoxaline-2,6-diyl; quinoline-2,6-diyl; 2,6-naphthylene; or indan-2,5-diyl; and
- A.sub.3 is 1,4-phenylene capable of having one or two substituents comprising F, Cl, Br, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 and/or CN; and
- (IIIc) A.sub.3 and X.sub.3 are a single bond;
- A.sub.4 is pyrimidine-2,5-diyl or indan-2,5-diyl; and
- A.sub.5 is 1,4-phenylene.
- 7. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the compound (b) of the formula (II) is an optically active compound represented by the following formula (IV); ##STR72## in which R.sub.5 is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms;
- A.sub.6 and A.sub.9 independently denote 1,4-phenylene capable of having one or two substituents comprising F, Cl, Br, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 and/or CN; 1,4-cyclohexylene; pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; pyridine-2,5-diyl; thiadiazole-2,5-diyl; thiazole-2,5-diyl; thiophene-2,5-diyl; or 2,6-naphthylene;
- A.sub.7 and A.sub.8 independently denote a single bond or any one of the groups for A.sub.6 and A.sub.9 ;
- B.sub.7 is benzoxazole-2,6-diyl, benzothiazole-2,5-diyl or benzothiazole-2,6-diyl;
- X.sub.5 and X.sub.6 independently denote a single bond, --COO--, --OCO--, --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 --;
- m5 and n5 are independently 0 or 1; and
- * denotes an optically active center.
- 8. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the compound (b) of the formula (II) is an optically active compound represented by the following formula (IV'); ##STR73## in which R.sub.6 is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms;
- A.sub.11 is 1,4-phenylene capable of having one or two substituents comprising F, Cl, Br, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 and/or CN; 1,4-cyclohexylene; pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; pyridine-2,5-diyl; thiadiazole-2,5-diyl; benzothiazole-2,6-diyl; thiophene-2,5-diyl; or 2,6-naphthylene;
- A.sub.10 is a single bond or any one of the groups for A.sub.11 ;
- X.sub.7 is a single bond, --COO--, --OCO--, --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 --; and
- * denotes an optically active center.
- 9. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the compound (b) of the formula (II) is an optically active compound represented by the following formula (V): ##STR74## in which R.sub.7, R.sub.8 and R.sub.9 independently denote hydrogen, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms;
- A.sub.12 and A.sub.13 independently denote 1,4-phenylene capable of having one or two substituents comprising F, Cl, Br, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 and/or CN; 1,4-cycloyhexylene; pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; pyridine-2,5-diyl; thiadiazole-2,5-diyl; thiazole-2,5-diyl; thiophene-2,5-diyl; or 2,6-naphthylene;
- X.sub.8 and X.sub.9 independently denote a single bond, --COO--, --OCO--, --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 --;
- * denotes an optically active center; and
- either one of Y.sub.7 and Y.sub.8 is --CO-- and the other is --O--.
- 10. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the compound (b) of the formula (II) is an optically active compound represented by the following formula (VI); ##STR75## in which R.sub.10 is hydrogen or linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atom capable of including at least one --CH.sub.2 -- group which can be replaced by --Y.sub.2 --, --Y.sub.2 CO--, --COY.sub.2 --, --CO--, --OCOO--, --CH.dbd.CH-- or --C.tbd.C-- wherein Y.sub.2 is O or S;
- R.sub.11 is hydrogen, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms or a trialkylsilyl group independently having a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-10 carbon atoms, alkyl group of R.sub.11 being capable of including at least one --CH.sub.2 -- group which can be replaced by --Y.sub.3 --, --Y.sub.3 CO--, --COY.sub.3 --, --CO--, --OCOO--, --CH.dbd.CH-- or --C.tbd.C-- wherein Y.sub.3 is O or S;
- A.sub.14 and A.sub.15 independently denote 1,4-phenylene capable of having one or two substituents comprising F, Cl, Br, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 and/or CN; 1,4-cyclohexylene; pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; pyridine-2,5-diyl; thiadiazole-2,5-diyl; thiazole-2,5-diyl; thiophene-2,5-diyl; or 2,6-naphthylene;
- X.sub.10 and X.sub.11 independently denote a single bond, --COO--, --OCO--, --CH.sub.2 O-- or --OCH.sub.2 --;
- either one of Y.sub.9 and Y.sub.10 is ##STR76## and the other is --O--; and * denotes an optically active center.
- 11. A composition according to claim 1, the compound (b) of the formula (II) is an optically active compound represented by the following formula (VII): ##STR77## in which R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 independently denote hydrogen, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of including at least one --CH.sub.2 -- group which can be replaced by --Y.sub.4 --, --Y.sub.4 CO--, --COY.sub.4 --, --CO--, --OCOO--, --CH.dbd.CH-- or --C.tbd.C-- wherein Y.sub.4 is O or S;
- A.sub.16, A.sub.17 and A.sub.18 independently denote a single bond; 1,4-phenylene capable of having one or two substituents comprising F, Cl, Br, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 and/or CN; pyridine-2,5-diyl; pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; pyrazine-2,5-diyl; pyridazine-3,6-diyl; 1,4-cyclohexylene; 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl; 1,3-dithiane-2,5-diyl; thiophene-2,5-diyl, thiazole-2,5-diyl; thiadiazole-2,5-diyl; benzoxazole-2,6-diyl; benzothiazole-2,5-diyl; benzothiazole-2,6-diyl; benzofuran-2,5-diyl; benzofuran-2,6-diyl; quinoxaline-2,6-diyl; quinoline-2,6-diyl; 2,6-naphthylene; indan-2,5-diyl; 2-alkylindan-2,5-diyl having a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atom; indanone-2,6-diyl; 2-alkylindanone-2,6-diyl having a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms; coumaran-2,5-diyl; or 2-alkylcoumaran-2,5-diyl having a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms;
- X.sub.12 is a single bond, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, ##STR78## --C.tbd.C--, --CONR.sub.14 --, --NR.sub.14 CO--, --NR.sub.14 --, --CH.dbd.N--, --N.dbd.CH--, --CH.dbd.CH--, --COS-- or --SCO-- wherein R.sub.14 is an alkyl group having 1-5 carbon atoms, and n7 is an integer of 1-10;
- X.sub.13 is a single bond or an alkylene group having 1-6 carbon atoms;
- m7 is 0, 1 or 2; and
- * denotes an optically active center.
- 12. A composition according to claim 1, which comprises at least 20 wt. % of a fluorine-containing mesomorphic compound (a).
- 13. A composition according to claim 1, which comprises at least 30 wt. % of a fluorine-containing mesomorphic compound (a).
- 14. A composition according to claim 1, which comprises at least 50 wt. % of a fluorine-containing mesomorphic compound (a).
- 15. A composition according to claim 1, which has a chiral smectic phase.
- 16. A liquid crystal device, comprising a liquid crystal composition according to claim 1.
- 17. A device according to claim 16, comprising a pair of opposite electrode plates and the liquid crystal composition disposed between the electrode plates.
- 18. A device according to claim 17, which further comprises an alignment control layer.
- 19. A device according to claim 18, wherein the alignment control layer comprises a polyimide film which has been subjected to uniaxial alignment treatment, said polyimide having a recurring unit represented by the following formula (VIII): ##STR79## in which R.sub.81 is ##STR80## R.sub.82 and R.sub.84 independently denote ##STR81## R.sub.83 is a single bond or --O--; and r8 is 0, 1 or 2.
- 20. A device according to claim 18, wherein the alignment control layer comprises a polyamide film which has been subjected to uniaxial alignment treatment, said polyamide having a recurring unit represented by the following formula (IX): ##STR82## in which R.sub.91 is an alkylene group having 1-20 carbon atoms, ##STR83## R.sub.92 and R.sub.96 are independently --CONH-- or --NHCO--; R.sub.93 and R.sub.95 are independently ##STR84## or an alkylene group having 1-20 carbon atoms: R.sub.94 is a single bond or --O--; and
- r9 is 0, 1 or 2.
- 21. A device according to claim 18, wherein each of the pair of electrode plates is provided with an alignment control layer, at least one of which comprises a polyimide film.
- 22. A liquid crystal apparatus comprising a liquid crystal device according to claim 16 and drive means for said liquid crystal device.
- 23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the liquid crystal device is a display device.
- 24. A display method, comprising:
- providing a liquid crystal composition according to claim 1; and
- controlling the alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules in accordance with image data to effect display.
Priority Claims (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
6-075931 |
Apr 1994 |
JPX |
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6-174178 |
Jul 1994 |
JPX |
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Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/421,928, filed Apr. 14, 1995, now abandoned.
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Continuations (1)
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Parent |
421928 |
Apr 1995 |
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