Optically active ester compound

摘要

An optically active ester compound is provided represented by the following general formula: <IMAGE> wherein R1 is a normal alkyl group having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms; m is zero or one, n is zero or one, and m+n is one or two; X is -CO-O- or -O-CO-; p is 3 to 6; Y is a hydrogen atom or chlorine atom; R2 is hydrogen or a normal alkyl group having from 1 to 11 carbon atoms but may be a hydrogen atom only when Y is a chlorine atom; and *C represents an asymmetric carbon atom. The ester compound of the present invention is useful as a ferroelectric liquid crystal compound.