Liquid crystal compound, liquid crystal mixture or composition, electrolyte comprising the same, electrochemical cell and photo-electrochemical cell containing the electrolyte

A liquid crystal mixture comprising at least two liquid crystal compounds represented by formula (I-1) or (I-2):

• wherein Q111 represents a divalent linking group with the proviso that Q111 does not represent a polymethylene group nor a phenylenebis(poly)methylene group without containing a hetero atom;
• X111− represents an anion;
• R141, R151, R161, and R171 each represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent;
• R131 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group;
• Y111 represents a divalent 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring or a divalent condensed ring composed of their rings;
• Q121 and Q131 each represent a divalent linking group or a single bond;
• n represents 1, 2 or 3;
• when n is 2 or 3, the plural Y111's, Q121's, and Q131's may be the same or different.

A liquid crystal composition comprising at least one liquid crystal compound represented by formula (I-1) or (I-2):

• wherein Q111 represents a divalent linking group with the proviso that Q111 does not represent a polymethylene group nor a phenylenebis(poly)methylene group without containing a hetero atom;
• X111− represents an anion;
• R141, R151, R161, and R171 each represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent;
• R131 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group;
• Y111 represents a divalent 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring or a divalent condensed ring composed of their rings;
• Q121 and Q131 each represent a divalent linking group or a single bond;
• n represents 1, 2 or 3;
• when n is 2 or 3, the plural Y111's, Q121's, and Q131's may be the same or different, and at least one compound selected from an alkali metal salt and an alkaline earth metal salt.

An electrolyte containing at least one liquid crystal compound represented by formula (IA):

• wherein R111 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group which is bonded to the nitrogen either directly or via a divalent linking group;
• Z111 represents an atomic group necessary to form a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic cation together with the nitrogen atom;
• R121 represents a substituent serving to exhibit liquid crystal properties which contains at least one divalent cyclic linking group and at least one substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group;
• and X111− represents an anion.

An electrochemical cell having an electrolyte containing at least one liquid crystal compound represented by formula (IA):

• wherein R111 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group which is bonded to the nitrogen either directly or via a divalent linking group;
• Z111 represents an atomic group necessary to form a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic cation together with the nitrogen atom;
• R121 represents a substituent serving to exhibit liquid crystal properties which contains at least one divalent cyclic linking group and at least one substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group;
• and X111− represents an anion.

A photo-electrochemical cell which comprises a charge transporting layer comprising an electrolyte and a semiconductor responsive to a radiant ray, wherein said electrolyte contains at least one liquid crystal compound represented by formula (IA):

• wherein R111 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group which is bonded to the nitrogen either directly or via a divalent linking group;
• Z111 represents an atomic group necessary to form a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic cation together with the nitrogen atom;
• R121 represents a substituent serving to exhibit liquid crystal properties which contains at least one divalent cyclic linking group and at least one substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group;
• and X111− represents an anion.

An electrolyte containing at least one liquid crystal compound represented by formula (IA):

• wherein R111 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group which is bonded to the nitrogen either directly or via a divalent linking group;
• Z111 represents an atomic group necessary to form a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic cation together with the nitrogen atom;
• R121 represents a substituent serving to exhibit liquid crystal properties and is represented by formula (IB):
• R122[Brketopenst]Q131-Y111-Q121[Brketclosest]n (IB)
• wherein R122 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group;
• Y111 represents a divalent 4- to 7-membered cyclic group or divalent condensed cyclic group composed of 4- to 7-membered rings;
• Q121 and Q131 each represent a divalent linking group or a single bond;
• n represents 1, 2 or 3;
• when n is 2 or 3, the plural Y111's, Q121's, and Q131's may be the same or different;
• and X111−represents an anion:
• with the proviso that when R111 is an unsubstituted alkyl and Z111 and the nitrogen atom form a pyridinium cation, then Q121 is not —CO—.

An electrochemical cell having an electrolyte containing at least one liquid crystal compound represented by formula (IA):

• wherein R111 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group which is bonded to the nitrogen either directly or via a divalent linking group;
• Z111 represents an atomic group necessary to form a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic cation together with the nitrogen atom;
• R121 represents a substituent serving to exhibit liquid crystal properties and is represented by formula (IB):
• R122[Brketopenst]Q131-Y111-Q121[Brketclosest]n (IB)
• wherein R122 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group;
• Y111 represents a divalent 4- to 7-membered cyclic group or divalent condensed cyclic group composed of 4- to 7-membered rings;
• Q121 and Q131 each represent a divalent linking group or a single bond;
• n represents 1, 2 or 3;
• when n is 2 or 3, the plural Y111's, Q121's, and Q131's may be the same or different;
• and X111−represents an anion:
• with the proviso that when R111 is an unsubstituted alkyl and Z111 and the nitrogen atom form a pyridinium cation, then Q121 is not —CO—.

A photo-electrochemical cell which comprises a charge transporting layer comprising an electrolyte and a semiconductor responsive to a radiant ray, wherein said electrolyte contains at least one liquid crystal compound represented by formula (IA):

• wherein R111 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group which is bonded to the nitrogen either directly or via a divalent linking group;
• Z111 represents an atomic group necessary to form a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic cation together with the nitrogen atom;
• R121 represents a substituent serving to exhibit liquid crystal properties and is represented by formula (IB):
• R122[Brketopenst]Q131-Y111-Q121[Brketclosest]n (IB)
• wherein R122 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group;
• Y111 represents a divalent 4- to 7-membered cyclic group or divalent condensed cyclic group composed of 4- to 7-membered rings;
• Q121 and Q131 each represent a divalent linking group or a single bond;
• n represents 1, 2 or 3;
• when n is 2 or 3, the plural Y111's, Q121's, and Q131's may be the same or different;
• and X111−represents an anion:
• with the proviso that when R111 is an unsubstituted alkyl and Z111 and the nitrogen atom form a pyridinium cation, then Q121 is not —CO—.