A novel diamine useful especially as a material for a resin for liquid-crystal alignment films; a polyimide precursor or polyimide synthesized from the diamine; and an aligning agent for liquid crystals which comprises the polymer. The aligning agent gives a liquid-crystal alignment film which has a high pretilt angle for liquid crystals, has excellent thermal stability of the pretilt angle, and is reduced in the dependence of the pretilt angle on rubbing pressure. The diamine is a diaminobenzene derivative represented by the general formula [I] (wherein X1 and X2 each represents a cyclic group; and X3 represents a member selected from alkyl, alkoxy, fluoroalkyl, fluoroalkoxy, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and cyano). The polyimide precursor or polyimide is synthesized using the diaminobenzene derivative as part of the starting materials. The aligning agent for liquid crystals comprises at least one of these polymers. [1]
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