Polyphenyl-based ester compounds and liquid crystal compositions containing same

Abstract

Polyphenyl-based liquid crystal compounds represented by the following general formula (1) and liquid crystal composition containing the same: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a straight or branched C.sub.1-18 alkyl group, haloalkyl group, aralkyl group or haloaralkyl group with or without optically active carbon, R.sup.2 represents a straight or branched C.sub.1-6 alkyl group, haloalkyl group or aralkyl group with or without optically active carbon, W represents (1) --OCO-- or --COO--, in which case T represents a halogen atom or a methyl group, or (2) a single bond, --O-- or --OCOO--, in which case T represents a halogen atom, X represents --OCO--, --COO--, --C.tbd.C--, --CH.dbd.N--, --N.dbd.CH, Y represents single bond, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --CH.sub.2 --, --OCH.sub.2 --, --COOCH.sub.2 -- or --OCOCH.sub.2 --, Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 represent a hydrogen or halogen atom, a cyano group or nitro group, Z.sub.1 may be the same or different from Z.sub.2, l and m are one or more than one each and a total of l and m is three or more than three, the carbon atom marked with * is an asymmetric carbon atom.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.