CHIRAL COMPOUNDS, AND LIQUID CRYSTAL COMPOSITIONS AND POLYMER NETWORKS DERIVED THEREFROM

摘要

The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): insert Formula (I) here wherein R¹and R²are each independently selected from the group: H, F, Cl and CH₃; n1 and n2 are each independently integers 3 to 20; q and r are each independently integers 0, 1 or 2, with the proviso that q + r is = 1; D is a divalent chiral radical selected from the group: (D1-D4) wherein R³ is a C1 to C6 straight or branched chain alkyl group; and each B¹and B² is a divalent radical independently selected from the group: R⁴-substituted-1,4-phenyl, wherein R⁴ is H,-CH₃ or -OCH_3, 2,6-naphthyl; and 4,4'-biphenyl; with the provisos that when q + r = 3, at least one of B¹ and B² is R⁴-substituted-1,4-phenyl; and when q + r = 4, at least two of B¹ and B² are R⁴-substituted-1,4-phenyl. The invention further relates to liquid crystal compositions comprising compounds of formula (I) and polymer networks derived from the polymerization of the liquid crystal compositions.