Liquid crystalline compounds, liquid crystal compositions containing the same and use thereof

Abstract

Liquid crystalline compounds having an optically active .gamma.-lactone ring of the general formula (A): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a group selected from the class consisting of ##STR2## n and e are each independently 0 or 1, R.sup.3 is an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 15 carbon atoms, said alkyl and alkenyl groups having each optionally one or more asymmetric carbon atoms, X and Y are each hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a cyano group, R.sup.2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 15 carbon atoms, said alkyl and alkenyl groups having each optionally one or more asymmetric carbon atoms, and * means an asymmetric carbon atom, a liquid crystal composition containing the same and an element for opto-electronics devices comprising the liquid crystal composition.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.