OPTICALLY ACTIVE ETHER DERIVATIVE, ITS PRODUCTION, LIQUID CRYSTAL MATERIAL CONTAINING SAME COMPOUND AS ACTIVE COMPONENT AND OPTICAL SWITCHING DEVICE CONTAINING SAME MATERIAL

摘要

NEW MATERIAL:Optically active ether derivatives of formula I (X is CH2O or OCH2; A is 2 to 15C alkyl or alkyloxyalkyl; (l) and (m) are 1 and 2; *shows asymmetric carbon). EXAMPLE:(+)-4-(1-Hexyloxyethyl)benzyl 4'-octyloxy-4-biphenylyl ether. USE:Useful as a liquid crystal material and an optical switching device containing the abovementioned material. Having a large spontaneous polarization, a low viscosity and a high speed of response. In using as a liquid crystal material, the temperature range of ferroelectric liquid crystal can be extended without damage to the ferroelectric properties. PREPARATION:A phenolic compound of formula II is reacted with an optically active benzyl derivative of formula III (R' is halogen or O3SO2R''; R'' is lower alkyl, etc.) in the presence of a catalyst to obtain the objective compound of formula I.