Halogen-substituted phenyl benzyl ether derivatives

A liquid crystal composition containing at least one liquid crystal compound represented by the general formula (I):

• ##STR20## wherein R is a straight or branched alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R* is an optically active alkyl group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, X is a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom, and n is 1 or 2.

A chiral smectic liquid crystal composition containing at least one liquid crystal compound represented by the general formula (I):

• ##STR21## wherein R is a straight or branched alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R* is an optically active alkyl group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, X is a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom, and n is 1 or 2.

An optical switching element utilizing a chiral smectic liquid crystal composition containing at least one liquid crystal compound represented by the general formula (I):

• ##STR22## wherein R is a straight or branched alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R* is an optically active alkyl group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, X is a flourine atom or a chlorine atom, and n is 1 or 2.