Liquid crystal compounds containing an alicyclic ring and exhibiting a low dielectric anisotropy and liquid crystal materials and devices incorporating such compounds

Abstract

Novel liquid crystal compounds exhibiting a low dielectric anisotropy have a structural formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is an alkyl group, R.sub.2 is a group containing an alkyl group R and is either an alkyl group R, an alkoxy group OR, an alkylcarbonyloxy group OCOR or an alkoxycarbonyloxy group OCOOR, R.sub.1 and R containing up to 18 carbon atoms, ##STR2## is a trans-1,4-disubstituted cyclohexane ring ##STR3## or a 1,4-disubstituted bicyclo(2,2,2)octane ring ##STR4## and Ar is a 1,4 disubstituted benzene ring ##STR5## a 3-fluoro-1,4 disubstituted benzene ring ##STR6## or a 2,6 disubstituted naphthalene ring ##STR7## These compounds may be used in liquid crystal mixture compositions for use in a number of known electro-optic effects. The compounds may be prepared by routes in which the individual steps involved are known.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.