Optically active naphthalene derivative, process for preparation thereof, liquid crystal composition containing the same as effective component, and liquid crystal element using the same

摘要

Optically active naphthalene derivatives including optically active naphthylcarboxylic acid derivative, hydroxynaphthalene derivative, alkoxynaphthylalkanol derivative and alkylnaphthylalkanol derivative have the following structural formula: <IMAGE> wherein R1 denotes an alkyl group of 3-20 carbon atoms, R2 denotes an alkyl group of 1-20 carbon atoms optionally substituted with halogen atom(s) or an alkoxyalkyl group of 2-20 carbon atoms optionally substituted with halogen atom(s), X denotes -COO- or -OCO-, k, l and m denotes 0 or 1 respectively, n denotes an integer of 0-6, p denotes 0 or 1, and the asterisk indicates an asymmetric carbon atom, with the proviso that when k is 0, l and m are not 1 at the same time, and when k is 1, m is 1, and when n is 0 and m is 1, X is -COO-. These optically active naphthalene derivatives are useful as a ferroelectric liquid crystal materials or its component having a sufficient spontaneous polarization and by which a high speed response is possible and which further exhibits a ferroelectric liquid crystal phase in a temperature region around room temperature. Processes for the preparation of the optically active derivatives are also disclosed.