Alkyl thiobenzoate derivative, production of same and liquid crystal display element

摘要

An optically active benzoic acid derivative represented by formula (I): <IMAGE> (I) wherein R represents a straight chain alkyl group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms; Q* represents an optically active branched chain alkyl group having an asymmetric carbon atom; and m and n each represents an integer of 0 or 1, provided that m is not 0 when n is 1, a process for the production thereof, and a liquid crystal device element using the same are disclosed. The benzoic acid derivative exhibits a chiral smectic phase over a wide temperature range, a large spontaneous polarization and a high speed response.