JP7716190B2 - Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display element using said liquid crystal composition - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal composition useful as an electro-optical liquid crystal display material and a liquid crystal display element using the liquid crystal composition.

Liquid crystal display elements are used in a variety of devices, including watches and calculators, as well as various measuring instruments, automotive panels, word processors, electronic organizers, printers, computers, televisions, clocks, and advertising displays. Typical liquid crystal display types include TN (twisted nematic), STN (super twisted nematic), VA (vertically aligned) types featuring vertical alignment using TFTs (thin film transistors), IPS (in-plane switching) types featuring horizontal alignment, and FFS (fringe field switching) types.

Among these display modes, IPS type, ECB type, VA type, CSH type, etc., are characterized by using liquid crystal materials exhibiting a negative value of dielectric anisotropy (Δε). Among these, the VA type display mode using AM driving is particularly used in display devices requiring high speed and a wide viewing angle, such as televisions. Furthermore, liquid crystal compositions used in display modes such as VA type are required to be driven at a low voltage, have a high response speed, and have a wide operating temperature range. Specifically, they are required to have a large, negative absolute value of Δε, low viscosity, and a high nematic phase-isotropic liquid phase transition temperature (T _ni ). Furthermore, by setting Δn×d, which is the product of the refractive index anisotropy (Δn) and the cell gap (d), it is necessary to adjust the Δn of the liquid crystal material to an appropriate range in accordance with the cell gap.

To improve these required properties, for example, liquid crystal materials with a large negative absolute value of Δε are known, such as liquid crystal compositions containing compounds with a partial structure A containing a 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton, represented by the following formula A (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

(The * and black dots in formula (A) each represent a bond.)

In recent years, efforts have been made to further increase the response speed of liquid crystal display elements, particularly in applications such as televisions, and liquid crystal compositions with low rotational viscosity (γ ₁ ) are required. To meet this demand for faster response speeds, liquid crystal compositions containing compounds having an alkenyl group (alkenyl compounds) have been investigated (see, for example, Patent Documents 3 to 6).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-37054 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-54146 JP 2014-112192 A JP 2010-285499 A Patent No. 5084993 International Publication No. 2013-122011

As a liquid crystal composition with a fast response time that satisfies the required characteristics described above, a liquid crystal composition containing a compound having the above-mentioned partial structure A, which has a negative Δε with a large absolute value, and an alkenyl compound that contributes to fast response time, is being investigated.

However, liquid crystal display elements using liquid crystal compositions containing alkenyl compounds generally suffer from the problem of degradation of the liquid crystal composition due to exposure to light during the manufacturing process or in the operating environment, resulting in a tendency for the voltage holding ratio (VHR) to decrease. In particular, in liquid crystal display elements using polymer stabilization technology, such as PSA (polymer sustained alignment), which has become widely used in recent years, the liquid crystal composition containing alkenyl compounds tends to deteriorate due to ultraviolet (UV) light exposure during manufacturing, resulting in a significant decrease in VHR and making it difficult to achieve sufficient reliability.

For this reason, liquid crystal compositions containing compounds having the above partial structure A are also required to achieve high-speed response using alkenyl compounds while being less susceptible to a decrease in reliability due to UV irradiation.

In other words, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a liquid crystal composition that can be used to produce a liquid crystal display element with a fast response speed and high reliability, and a liquid crystal display element that uses the liquid crystal composition.

Specifically, the present invention provides a liquid crystal composition containing a compound having a partial structure A containing a 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton represented by the following formula A, which enables the production of liquid crystal display elements with fast response speeds and high reliability, and a liquid crystal display element using the liquid crystal composition.

(The * and black dots in formula (A) each represent a bond.)

As a result of intensive research into the above-mentioned issues, the inventors discovered that in a liquid crystal composition containing an alkenyl compound and a compound having partial structure A, by selecting the group bonded to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton in partial structure A, it is possible to achieve high-speed response due to the alkenyl compound while suppressing a decrease in VHR due to UV irradiation, leading to the completion of the present invention.

That is, the present invention provides a compound of general formula (I):

(In the formula, R ^Ia represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may each independently be replaced by —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO— or —OCO—, as long as no oxygen atoms are adjacent to each other.)
R ^Ib represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.
A ^Ia is (a) a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (one —CH ₂ — or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in this group may be replaced by —O— as long as the oxygen atoms are not adjacent), and (b) a 1,4-phenylene group (one or two or more non-adjacent —CH= groups in this group may be replaced by —N=).
The groups (a) and (b) may each independently be substituted with a cyano group or a fluorine atom.
n ^Ia represents 1 or 2.
When n ^Ia represents 2, multiple A ^Ia may be the same or different.
and one or more compounds represented by the formula:
General formula (II):

(In the formula, R ^II1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may each independently be replaced by —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO— or —OCO—, as long as the oxygen atoms are not adjacent to each other.)
R ^II2 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may each independently be replaced by —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO—, or —OCO—, as long as no oxygen atoms are adjacent to each other, and one or two or more hydrogen atoms in the alkyl group may be replaced by a halogen atom.
However, at least one of R ^II1 and R ^II2 represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms.
A ^II1 and A ^II2 each independently represent (a) a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (in which one —CH ₂ — or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups may be replaced with —O— as long as the oxygen atoms are not adjacent), and (b) a 1,4-phenylene group (in which one —CH= or two or more non-adjacent —CH= groups may be replaced with —N=).
(c) a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, or a decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group (in which one or more —CH= groups may be replaced by —N=).
The groups (a), (b) and (c) may each independently be substituted with a cyano group or a halogen atom.
Z ^II1 represents a single bond, —CH ₂ CH ₂ —, —(CH ₂ ) ₄ —, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCF ₂ —, —CF ₂ O—, —CH═N—N═CH—, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C—.
m ^II1 represents 1, 2, 3 or 4.
When m ^II1 represents 2, 3 or 4, a plurality of A ^II1's and Z ^II1's may be the same or different.
However, compounds represented by general formula (I) are excluded.
and one or more compounds represented by the following formula (1):

The present invention also provides a liquid crystal display element using the above-mentioned liquid crystal composition.

The present invention provides a liquid crystal composition that can be used to produce a liquid crystal display element with a fast response speed and high reliability, and a liquid crystal display element using the liquid crystal composition.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a liquid crystal display element of the present invention.

I. Liquid Crystal Composition The present inventors have found that in a liquid crystal composition containing a compound having the partial structure A and an alkenyl compound, selecting a group bonded to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton in the partial structure A of the compound having the partial structure A improves both the high-speed response provided by the alkenyl compound and reliability against UV irradiation. More specifically, the present inventors have found that when the group bonded to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton in the partial structure A of the compound having the partial structure A is an alkyl group or an alkenyl group, the liquid crystal composition obtained by combining the alkenyl compound with the compound having the partial structure A has higher UV weather resistance and less deterioration in VHR than when the group bonded to the skeleton is a group other than an alkyl group or an alkenyl group, such as an alkoxy group.

In other words, according to the present invention, by combining a compound having the above-mentioned partial structure A with an alkenyl compound, it is possible to obtain a liquid crystal composition that has a fast response speed, suppresses a decrease in VHR due to UV irradiation, and enables the production of highly reliable devices.

(1) Compound Represented by General Formula (I) The liquid crystal display device of the present invention contains one or more compounds represented by general formula (I).

(In the formula, R ^Ia , R ^Ib , A ^Ia and n ^Ia are as defined above.)

The compound represented by general formula (I) has a large negative absolute value of Δε, which increases the ε⊥ of the liquid crystal composition and simultaneously provides it with high reliability, a wide nematic temperature range, low viscosity, and a high elastic constant.

In general formula (I), R ^Ib represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms. Preferably, R ^Ib represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms, or an alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms (i.e., a methyl group or an ethyl group).

R ^Ib preferably represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, since this has a high effect of suppressing photodegradation of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention and a high effect of suppressing a decrease in voltage holding ratio (VHR). The number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group represented by R ^Ib is preferably 1 to 8, more preferably 1 to 5, still more preferably 1 to 3, and still more preferably 1 or 2.

From the viewpoint of increasing the response speed of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, R ^Ib preferably represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms. When R ^Ib in general formula (I) represents an alkenyl group, a compound with a small rotational viscosity (γ ₁ ) can be obtained, and the rotational viscosity of the liquid crystal composition can be reduced. The number of carbon atoms in the alkenyl group represented by R ^Ib is preferably 2 to 8, more preferably 2 to 5, more preferably 2 or 3, and most preferably 2. Specifically, the alkenyl group represented by R ^Ib is preferably a group selected from the group consisting of the following formulae (R1) to (R5), more preferably a group represented by formula (R1) or formula (R2), and particularly preferably a group represented by formula (R1).

(The black dots in each formula represent carbon atoms in the ring structure.)

In general formula (I), R ^Ia represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may each independently be replaced by —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO— or —OCO—, as long as no oxygen atoms are adjacent to each other.

R ^Ia is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, or an alkenyloxy group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, or an alkenyloxy group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, even more preferably an alkyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms, still more preferably an alkyl group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an alkyl group having 3 carbon atoms (propyl group) or an alkenyl group having 3 carbon atoms (propenyl group). R ^Ia may be linear or branched.

When A ^Ia to which R ^Ia is bonded has a phenyl ring, R ^Ia is preferably a linear alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a linear alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms.

When A ^Ia to which R ^Ia is bonded has a ring structure such as cyclohexane, pyran, and dioxane, R ^Ia is preferably a linear alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a linear alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a linear alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, more preferably a linear alkyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms or a linear alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and more preferably a linear alkyl group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms or a linear alkenyl group having 2 or 5 carbon atoms. In order to stabilize a nematic phase, it is preferable that the total number of carbon atoms and oxygen atoms in R ^Ia is 5 or less, and R ^Ia is preferably linear.

When R ^Ia represents an alkenyl group, R ^Ia is preferably a group selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned formulas (R1) to (R5), and more preferably a group represented by formula (R1) or formula (R2).

In general formula (I), A ^Ia represents (a) a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (one —CH ₂ — or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in this group may be replaced by —O— as long as the oxygen atoms are not adjacent), and (b) a 1,4-phenylene group (one or two or more non-adjacent —CH= groups in this group may be replaced by —N=).
represents a group selected from the group consisting of:

The above groups (a) and (b) may each independently be unsubstituted or substituted with a cyano group or a fluorine atom.

When a large Δn is required, A ^Ia is preferably an aromatic ring, and in order to improve the response speed, A ^Ia is preferably an aliphatic ring. In order to achieve at least one of high Δn and high-speed response, A ^Ia preferably represents a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group, a 1,4-phenylene group, a 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene group, a 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene group, a 3,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene group, a 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene group, or a 1,4-cyclohexenylene group.

Among these, ^AIa preferably represents the following structure:

In particular, from the viewpoint of achieving both a high Δn and a high-speed response, A ^Ia preferably represents an unsubstituted trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group or an unsubstituted 1,4-phenylene group.

In general formula (I), n ^Ia represents 1 or 2. When n ^Ia represents 2, multiple A ^Ia may be the same or different.

The compound represented by general formula (I) is preferably selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following general formulas (I-1), (I-2), (I-3), (I-4), (I-5), and (I-6).

(In the above general formulas (I-1) to (I-6), R ^Ia1 , R ^Ia2 , R ^Ia3 , R ^Ia4 , R ^Ia5 , and R ^Ia6 each have the same definition as R ^Ia in general formula (I), and R ^Ib1 , R ^Ib2 , R ^Ib3 , R ^Ib4 , R ^Ib5 , and R ^Ib6 each have the same definition as R ^Ib in general formula (I).)

Compounds in which n ^Ia in general formula (I) is 1 include compounds represented by general formulas (I-1) and (I-3). Compounds in which n ^Ia in general formula (I) is 2 include compounds represented by general formulas (I-2), (I-4), (I-5) and (I-6).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (I-1), (I-2), (I-3), and (I-4). Because of its high effect of reducing rotational viscosity, it preferably contains a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (I-1) and (I-2). On the other hand, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (I-3) and (I-4) because it can produce a liquid crystal composition with a large Δn.

The compound represented by general formula (I-1) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following general formulas (I-1-1) to (I-1-4), and more preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (I-1-1) and (I-1-2).

(In general formulas (I-1-1) to (I-1-4), Alkyl ¹ and Alkyl ² each independently represent a linear alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and Alkenyl ¹ and Alkenyl ² each independently represent a linear alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms.)

Furthermore, the compound represented by general formula (I-2) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following general formulas (I-2-1) to (I-2-4), and more preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (I-2-1) and (I-2-2).

(In general formulas (I-2-1) to (I-2-4), Alkyl ¹ and Alkyl ² each independently represent a linear alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and Alkenyl ¹ and Alkenyl ² each independently represent a linear alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms.)

In the general formulae (I-1-1) to (I-1-4) and the general formulae (I-2-1) to (I-2-4), each Alkyl ¹ independently represents an alkyl group having preferably 2 to 5 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms.

In general formulae (I-1-1) to (I-1-4) and general formulae (I-2-1) to (I-2-4), Alkenyl ¹ each independently represents an alkenyl group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably represents an alkenyl group represented by the above-mentioned formula (R1) or formula (R2).

In the general formulae (I-1-1) to (I-1-4) and the general formulae (I-2-1) to (I-2-4), each Alkyl ² independently represents an alkyl group having preferably 2 or 3 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms (i.e., a methyl group or an ethyl group).

In general formulae (I-1-1) to (I-1-4) and general formulae (I-2-1) to (I-2-4), Alkenyl ² each independently represents an alkenyl group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkenyl group represented by formula (R1) or (R2) above, and even more preferably an alkenyl group represented by formula (R1) above.

Specific compounds represented by general formulas (I-1) and (I-2) are preferably represented by formulas (I-1-1a), (I-1-1b), (I-2-1a), (I-2-1b), (I-2-2a), and (I-2-2b).

The upper limit of the content of the compound represented by general formula (I) is preferably 30 mass%, 25 mass%, 22 mass%, 20 mass%, 15 mass%, or 10 mass% of the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. Furthermore, the lower limit of the content of the compound represented by general formula (I) is preferably 5 mass%, 7 mass%, or 10 mass% of the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

A more specific range for the content of the compound represented by general formula (I) can be appropriately set by combining the above-mentioned upper and lower limits so that precipitation is unlikely to occur within the panel and a decrease in the Δε of the liquid crystal composition can be suppressed. For example, more preferred specific ranges for the content of the compound represented by general formula (I) can be 5% to 30% by mass, 5% to 25% by mass, 7% to 25% by mass, 7% to 20% by mass, or 10% to 20% by mass, based on the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. By setting the content of the compound represented by general formula (I) within the above ranges, high display quality and low voltage can be achieved at the same time. Note that if the content of the compound represented by general formula (I) is too high, precipitation may occur within the panel of the liquid crystal display element, making it difficult to ensure display quality. On the other hand, if the content is too low, the Δε of the liquid crystal composition may decrease, requiring the application of excessive voltage.

(2) Compound Represented by General Formula (II) The liquid crystal display device of the present invention contains one or more compounds represented by general formula (II).

(In the formula, R ^II1 , R ^II2 , A ^II1 , A ^II2 , Z ^II1 and m ^II1 are as defined above, except for the compound represented by general formula (I).)

In general formula (II), at least one of R ^II1 and R ^II2 represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and more preferably an alkenyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkenyl group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably an alkenyl group having 2 carbon atoms.

At least one of R ^II1 and R ^II2 preferably represents a group selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (R1) to (R5), more preferably represents formula (R1) or formula (R2) because it has a greater effect of reducing the rotational viscosity (γ ₁ ) of the liquid crystal composition, and even more preferably represents formula (R1).

(The black dots in each formula represent carbon atoms in the ring structure represented by A ^II1 or A ^II2 .)

The compound represented by general formula (II) may be a non-polar compound that is nearly dielectrically neutral, or may be a compound having negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may contain one or more non-polar compounds represented by general formula (II) and/or compounds having negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε) represented by general formula (II), or may contain one or more non-polar compounds represented by general formula (II) and one or more compounds having negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε) represented by general formula (II).

In particular, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains at least one or more nonpolar compounds represented by general formula (II), because the nonpolar compounds represented by general formula (II) are highly effective in reducing the rotational viscosity (γ ₁ ) of the liquid crystal composition, thereby improving the response speed of the liquid crystal composition.

In this specification, the dielectric anisotropy (Δε) of the target compound is the value obtained by subtracting the dielectric anisotropy of the base composition before adding the target compound from the measured value of the dielectric anisotropy when the target compound is added to a base composition that is nearly dielectrically neutral (Δε in the range of -2 to 2) at 20°C.

Preferable lower limits for the content of the compound represented by general formula (II) are 1 mass%, 3 mass%, 5 mass%, 7 mass%, 10 mass%, 12 mass%, 15 mass%, 20 mass%, 25 mass%, 25.5 mass%, and 30 mass% relative to the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. Furthermore, preferable upper limits for the content of the compound represented by general formula (I) are 60 mass%, 55 mass%, 50 mass%, 45 mass%, 40 mass%, 38 mass%, 35 mass%, and 33 mass%.

The preferred range of the content of the compound represented by general formula (II) can be set by combining the above-mentioned upper and lower limits. By setting the preferred content of the compound represented by general formula (II) within the combined range of the upper and lower limits, the rotational viscosity (γ ₁ ) of the liquid crystal composition can be reduced, the temperature range in which the liquid crystal composition exhibits a nematic phase can be widened, and low-temperature storage stability can be improved.

<Nonpolar Compound Represented by General Formula (II)>
The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains, as the compound represented by general formula (II), one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following general formulae (II-NU-01), (II-NU-02), (II-NU-03), (II-NU-04), (II-NU-05) and (II-NU-06):

(In the above formulas, R ^IINU11 and R ^IINU12 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may each independently be substituted with —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO— or —OCO—, as long as no oxygen atoms are adjacent to each other, and one or two or more hydrogen atoms in the alkyl group may be substituted with a halogen atom.)
In each formula, at least one of R ^IINU11 and R ^IINU12 represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms.

The compounds represented by general formulas (II-NU-01) to (II-NU-06) are non-polar compounds that are nearly dielectrically neutral at 20°C, specifically, compounds that exhibit a dielectric anisotropy (Δε) of -2 or more and 2 or less at 20°C.

In each of general formulae (II-NU-01) to (II-NU-06), at least one of R ^IINU11 and R ^IINU12 preferably represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and preferably an alkenyl group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms.

Among these, R ^IINU11 is preferably an alkenyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, even more preferably an alkenyl group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms, and even more preferably an alkenyl group having 2 carbon atoms.

R ^IINU11 preferably represents a group selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (R1) to (R5), more preferably represents formula (R1) or formula (R2) because it has a greater effect of reducing the rotational viscosity (γ ₁ ) of the liquid crystal composition, and even more preferably represents formula (R1).

(The black dots in each formula represent carbon atoms in the ring structure.)

Furthermore, R ^IINU12 preferably represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

In each of R ^IINU11 and R ^IINU12 , one or more hydrogen atoms may be substituted with a halogen atom, or may be unsubstituted, but is preferably unsubstituted from the viewpoint of dielectric anisotropy. Examples of the halogen atom include a fluorine atom and a chlorine atom.

The lower limit of the content of the compounds represented by general formulas (II-NU-01) to (II-NU-06) is preferably 1 mass%, 5 mass%, 10 mass%, 15 mass%, 20 mass%, 25 mass%, 25.5 mass%, or 30 mass% relative to the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. The upper limit of the content of the compounds represented by general formulas (II-NU-01) to (II-NU-06) is preferably 50 mass%, 45 mass%, 40 mass%, or 35 mass% relative to the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

The specific range of the preferred content of the compounds represented by general formulas (II-NU-01) to (II-NU-06) can be set as appropriate by combining the above-mentioned upper and lower limits. Among these, the content is within a range of 5 to 50 mass %, a range of 20 to 40 mass %, or a range of 30 to 35 mass %, of the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. By setting the content of the compounds represented by general formulas (II-NU-01) to (II-NU-06) within the above range, it is possible to reduce the rotational viscosity (γ ₁ ) of the liquid crystal composition while maintaining the nematic phase-isotropic liquid phase transition temperature (T _ni ), thereby enabling the response speed of the liquid crystal composition to be increased.

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains, as the compound represented by general formula (II), one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following general formulas (II-NU-01A), (II-NU-02A), (II-NU-03A), (II-NU-04A), and (II-NU-05A):

(In each of the above formulas, R ^II3 each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may be substituted with —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO— or —OCO—, as long as no oxygen atoms are adjacent to each other, and one or two or more hydrogen atoms in the alkyl group may be substituted with a halogen atom.)
Each n1 independently represents an integer of 0 to 6.

In general formulas (II-NU-01A) to (II-NU-05A), n1 each independently represents an integer from 0 to 6, preferably an integer of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, and more preferably an integer of 0, 1, or 2. When emphasis is placed on increasing the response speed, n1 is particularly preferably 0.

In general formulae (II-NU-01A) to (II-NU-05A), R ^II3 each independently preferably represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and more preferably represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, because this makes the compound more advantageous in increasing the response speed of the liquid crystal composition.

In R ^II3 , one or more hydrogen atoms may be substituted with halogen atoms, or may be unsubstituted, but from the viewpoint of dielectric anisotropy, it is preferably unsubstituted. Examples of the halogen atoms include fluorine atoms and chlorine atoms.

From the viewpoint of achieving the effect of increasing the response speed of the liquid crystal composition, the content of the compounds represented by general formulas (II-NU-01A) to (II-NU-05A) is preferably within the range of 1 to 50% by mass, 10 to 40% by mass, or 20 to 30% by mass of the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

From the viewpoint of achieving both high speed and high reliability, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains one or more compounds represented by at least one of general formula (II-NU-01A) and general formula (II-NU-04A), and more preferably contains one or more compounds represented by general formula (II-NU-01A).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains one or more compounds represented by general formula (II-NU-01A ₁ ), because the compounds have low viscosity or low rotational viscosity, and significantly contribute to improving both reliability and responsiveness.

(In the formula, Alkyl represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.)

Among these, Alkyl in general formula (II-NU-01A ₁ ) is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms, or an alkyl group having 3 carbon atoms, because it is highly effective in improving both reliability and responsiveness.

The content of the compound represented by general formula (II-NU-01A ₁ ) is preferably within a range of 0 to 50 mass %, more preferably 10 to 40 mass %, even more preferably 20 to 30 mass %, of the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. By setting the content of the compound represented by general formula (II-NU-01A ₁ ) within the above range, the rotational viscosity (γ ₁ ) of the liquid crystal composition can be reduced, the temperature range in which the liquid crystal composition exhibits a nematic phase can be broadened, and low-temperature storage stability can be improved.

Specific examples of the compound represented by general formula (II-NU-01A ₁ ) include compounds represented by the following formulae (II-NU-01A ₁₁ ) to (II-NU-01A ₁₄ ), and among these, the compound represented by formula (II-NU-01A ₁₂ ) can be preferably used because it has a dominant effect on increasing the response speed.

<Compound having negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε) represented by general formula (II)>
The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains, as the compound represented by general formula (II), one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following general formulae (II-N-01), (II-N-02), (II-N-03), (II-N-04), and (II-N-05):

(In the formula, R ^IIN1 and R ^IIN2 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may each independently be replaced by —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO— or —OCO—, as long as no oxygen atoms are adjacent to each other, and one or two or more hydrogen atoms in the alkyl group may be substituted by a halogen atom.)
In each formula, at least one of R ^IIN1 and R ^IIN2 represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms.
Each Z ^IIN1 independently represents a single bond, —CH ₂ CH ₂ —, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCF ₂ —, —CF ₂ O—, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C—.
Each m ^IIN1 independently represents 1 or 2.
However, compounds represented by general formula (I) are excluded.

The compounds represented by general formulas (II-N-01) to (II-N-05) are compounds having negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε), and are also alkenyl compounds because they contain alkenyl groups. A compound having negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε) refers to a compound in which the sign of the dielectric anisotropy (Δε) is negative and the absolute value of the Δε is greater than 2, and it is particularly preferable for the absolute value of Δε to be 3 or greater.

In general formulas (II-N-01) to (II-N-05), at least one of R ^IIN1 and R ^IIN2 preferably represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and preferably an alkenyl group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms. Among these, R ^IIN1 preferably represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably an alkenyl group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms, and preferably an alkenyl group having 2 carbon atoms.

R ^IIN1 preferably represents a group selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (R1) to (R5), more preferably represents formula (R1) or formula (R2) because it has a greater effect of reducing the rotational viscosity (γ ₁ ) of the liquid crystal composition, and even more preferably represents formula (R1).

(The black dots in each formula represent carbon atoms in the ring structure.)

R ^IIN2 preferably represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and even more preferably an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

In order to increase the absolute value of Δε, R ^IIN2 preferably represents an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an alkenyloxy group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms.

In R ^IIN1 and R ^IIN2 , one or more hydrogen atoms may be substituted with halogen atoms, or may be unsubstituted, but from the viewpoint of dielectric anisotropy, it is preferable that they are unsubstituted. Examples of the halogen atoms include fluorine atoms and chlorine atoms.

Z ^IIN1 is preferably a single bond, —CH ₂ CH ₂ —, —OCH ₂ — or —CH ₂ O—, and more preferably a single bond or —CH ₂ O—. When ^{m IIN1} is 1, Z ^IIN1 is preferably a single bond. When m ^IIN1 is 2, Z ^IIN1 is preferably —CH ₂ CH ₂ — or —CH ₂ O—.

The fluorine atoms in general formulas (II-N-01) to (II-N-05) may be substituted with chlorine atoms, which are in the same halogen group. However, the content of compounds substituted with chlorine atoms should be as low as possible, and it is preferable that they are not contained at all.

One or more hydrogen atoms present on the rings in general formulas (II-N-01) to (II-N-05) may be further substituted with fluorine or chlorine atoms. However, the content of compounds substituted with chlorine atoms should be as low as possible, and it is preferable that they are not present at all.

Among the compounds represented by general formulas (II-N-01) to (II-N-05), the compound represented by general formula (II-N-01) is preferred in that it can have large Δn and Δε while having a low rotational viscosity (γ ₁ ), and can improve the effects of high-speed response and low voltage of the liquid crystal composition.

The lower limit of the content of the compounds represented by general formulas (II-N-01) to (II-N-05) is preferably 0 mass%, 3 mass%, or 5 mass% relative to the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. Furthermore, the upper limit of the content of the compounds represented by general formulas (II-N-01) to (II-N-05) is preferably 15 mass%, 10 mass%, or 7 mass% relative to the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

The preferred content range of the compounds represented by general formulas (II-N-01) to (II-N-05) can be set appropriately by combining the above-mentioned upper and lower limits. In particular, the content is within the range of 0 to 15% by mass, 3 to 10% by mass, or 5 to 7% by mass of the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

By setting the content of the compounds represented by general formulas (II-N-01) to (II-N-05) within the above range, the nematic phase-isotropic liquid phase transition temperature (T _ni ) of the liquid crystal composition can be improved and the response speed can be increased.

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may further contain one or more compounds represented by general formula (II-N-06).

(In the formula, R ^IIN1 and R ^IIN2 have the same meanings as defined above.)

In the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, the lower limit of the total content of the compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (II-NU-01), (II-NU-02), (II-NU-03), (II-NU-04), (II-NU-05), and (II-NU-06), and the compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (II-N-01), (II-N-02), (II-N-03), (II-N-04), and (II-N-05), can be set to the same as the preferred lower limit of the content of the compound represented by general formula (II), and the upper limit of the total content can be set to the same as the preferred upper limit of the content of the compound represented by general formula (II).

(3) Compounds Represented by General Formulae (N-1), (N-2), and (N-3) The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may further contain one or more compounds selected from the compounds represented by general formulae (N-1), (N-2), and (N-3).

(In the formula, R ^N11 , R ^N12 , R ^N21 , R ^N22 , R ^N31 and R ^N32 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may each independently be substituted by —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO— or —OCO—, as long as the oxygen atoms are not adjacent to each other.
A ^N11 , A ^N12 , A ^N21 , A ^N22 , A ^N31 and A ^N32 each independently represent (a) a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (in which one —CH ₂ — or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups may be replaced by —O— as long as the oxygen atoms are not adjacent to each other).
(b) a 1,4-phenylene group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N= groups), and (c) a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, or a decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N= groups).
The groups (a), (b) and (c) may each independently be substituted with a cyano group or a halogen atom.
Z ^N11 , Z ^N12 , Z ^N21 , Z ^N22 , Z ^N31 and Z ^N32 each independently represent a single bond, —CH ₂ CH ₂ —, —(CH ₂ ) ₄ —, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCF ₂ —, —CF ₂ O—, —CH═N—N═CH—, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C—.
^XN21 represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom.
T ^N31 represents —CH ₂ — or an oxygen atom.
n ^N11 , n ^N12 , n ^N21 , n ^N22 , n ^N31 and n ^N32 each independently represent an integer of 0, 1, 2 or 3;
n ^N11 +n ^N12 , n ^N21 +n ^N22 and n ^N31 +n ^N32 each independently represent 1, 2 or 3;
When a plurality of A ^N11 , A ^N12 , A ^N21 , A ^N22 , A ^N31 and A ^N32 are present, they may be the same or different.
When a plurality of Z ^N11 , Z ^N12 , Z ^N21 , Z ^N22 , Z ^N31 and Z ^N32 are present, they may be the same or different.
However, compounds represented by general formula (I) and general formula (II) are excluded. In addition, compounds represented by general formula (N-1) are excluded from general formula (N-2) and general formula (N-3), and compounds represented by general formula (N-2) are excluded from general formula (N-3).

The compounds represented by general formulas (N-1), (N-2), and (N-3) are compounds that exhibit negative dielectric anisotropy, excluding the compounds represented by general formulas (I) and (II), and have a negative Δε value whose absolute value is greater than 2. Among these, the compounds represented by general formulas (N-1), (N-2), and (N-3) preferably have an absolute Δε value of 3 or greater.

In general formulae (N-1), (N-2) and (N-3), R ^N11 , R ^N12 , R ^N21 , R ^N22 , R ^N31 and R ^N32 each independently represent preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an alkenyloxy group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyloxy group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and even more preferably an alkyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms.

Furthermore, when the ring structure to which R ^N11 , R ^N12 , R ^N21 , R ^N22 , R ^N31 and R ^N32 are bonded is a phenyl ring (aromatic), a linear alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a linear alkoxy group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms is preferred, and when the ring structure to which they are bonded is a saturated ring structure such as cyclohexane, pyran and dioxane, a linear alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a linear alkoxy group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms is preferred. In order to stabilize the nematic phase, it is preferable that the total number of carbon atoms and, if present, oxygen atoms is 5 or less, and a linear structure is preferred.

R ^N11 , R ^N12 , R ^N21 , R ^N22 , R ^N31 and R ^N32 each independently represent a group in which one or more hydrogen atoms may be substituted with halogen atoms, or may be unsubstituted, but are preferably unsubstituted from the viewpoint of dielectric anisotropy. Examples of the halogen atoms include fluorine atoms and chlorine atoms.

A ^N11 , A ^N12 , A ^N21 , A ^N22 , A ^N31 and A ^N32 are each independently preferably aromatic when it is required to increase Δn, and are preferably aliphatic in order to improve the response speed, and preferably represent a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group, a 1,4-phenylene group, a 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene group, a 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene group, a 3,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene group, a 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene group, a 1,4-cyclohexenylene group, a 1,4-bicyclo[2.2.2]octylene group, a piperidine-1,4-diyl group, a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group or a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, and more preferably represent the following structure:

More preferably, it represents a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group, a 1,4-cyclohexenylene group, or a 1,4-phenylene group.

Z ^N11 , Z ^N12 , Z ^N21 , Z ^N22 , Z ^N31 and Z ^N32 each independently preferably represent —CH ₂ O—, —CF ₂ O—, —CH ₂ CH ₂ —, —CF ₂ CF ₂ — or a single bond, more preferably —CH ₂ O—, —CH ₂ CH ₂ — or a single bond, and particularly preferably —CH ₂ O— or a single bond.

^XN21 is preferably a fluorine atom.

T ^N31 is preferably an oxygen atom.

^nN11 + ^nN12 , ^nN21 + ^nN22 and ^nN31 + ^nN32 are preferably 1 or 2, and the following combinations are preferred: ^nN11 is 1 and ^{nN12 is 0; nN11 is 2 and nN12 is} 0; ^nN11 is 1 and ^nN12 is 1; ^{nN11 is 2 and nN12 is} 1; ^nN21 is 1 and ^nN22 is 0; ^nN21 is 2 and ^nN22 is 0; ^nN31 is 1 and ^nN32 is 0; and ^nN31 is 2 ^{and nN32 is} 0.

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains one or more compounds represented by general formula (N-1). Furthermore, the compound represented by general formula (N-1) preferably contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (N-01), (N-02), (N-03), (N-04), and (N-05).

(In the above formulas, R ²¹ and R ²² each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may be substituted with —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO— or —OCO—, as long as no oxygen atoms are adjacent to each other, and one or two or more hydrogen atoms in the alkyl group may be substituted with a halogen atom.)
Each ^Z1 independently represents a single bond, —CH ₂ CH ₂ —, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCF ₂ —, —CF ₂ O—, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C—.
Each m independently represents 1 or 2.
However, compounds represented by general formula (I) and general formula (II) are excluded.

The compounds represented by general formulas (N-01) to (N-05) are non-alkenyl compounds whose dielectric anisotropy (Δε) at 20°C has a negative sign and an absolute value of greater than 2. Among these, it is preferable that the compounds represented by general formulas (N-01) to (N-05) have an absolute value of Δε of 3 or greater.

^R21 is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and even more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. However, when ^Z1 represents a group other than a single bond, ^R21 is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

One or more hydrogen atoms in the alkyl group represented by ^R21 may or may not be substituted with a halogen atom, but from the viewpoint of dielectric anisotropy, it is preferable that the alkyl group is unsubstituted. The halogen atom is preferably a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom, and more preferably a fluorine atom.

R ²² is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and among these, since the absolute value of Δε can be increased, R ²² preferably represents an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and even more preferably an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. One or more hydrogen atoms in the alkyl group and alkoxy group may or may not be substituted with a halogen atom, but from the viewpoint of dielectric anisotropy, it is preferable that they are not substituted. The halogen atom is preferably a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom, and more preferably a fluorine atom.

Each Z ¹ independently represents a single bond, -CH ₂ CH ₂ -, -OCH ₂ -, -CH ₂ O-, -COO-, -OCO-, -OCF ₂ -, -CF ₂ O-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF- or -C≡C-, preferably a single bond, -CH ₂ CH ₂ -, -OCH ₂ - or -CH ₂ O-, more preferably a single bond or -CH ₂ O-. When m is 1, Z ¹ is preferably a single bond. When m is 2, Z ¹ is preferably -CH ₂ CH ₂ - or -CH ₂ O-.

The fluorine atoms in the compounds represented by general formulas (N-01) to (N-05) may be substituted with chlorine atoms, which are in the same halogen group. The content of compounds substituted with chlorine atoms should be as low as possible, and it is preferable that they are not contained at all.

One or more hydrogen atoms present on the ring of the compounds represented by general formulas (N-01) to (N-05) may be further substituted with fluorine or chlorine atoms. However, the content of compounds substituted with chlorine atoms should be as low as possible, and it is preferable that they are not contained at all.

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains, as the compound represented by general formula (N-01), one or more compounds selected from the group of compounds represented by the following general formulas (N-01-1) and (N-01-2):

(In the formula, ^R21 has the same meaning as defined above, and each ^R23 independently represents an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and one or more hydrogen atoms in the alkoxy group may be substituted with a fluorine atom, excluding the compound represented by general formula (II).)

Furthermore, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains, as the compound represented by general formula (N-01), one or more compounds selected from the group of compounds represented by the following general formulas (N-01-3) and (N-01-4):

(In the formula, ^R21 has the same meaning as defined above, and each ^R23 independently represents an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and one or more hydrogen atoms in the alkoxy group may be substituted with a fluorine atom, excluding the compounds represented by general formulas (I) and (II).)

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains one or more compounds represented by general formula (N-01-3) or general formula (N-01-4). This is because the Δε of the liquid crystal composition can be increased. Here, in the compounds represented by general formula (N-01-3) and general formula (N-01-4), R ²³ represents an alkoxy group. However, by using the compounds represented by general formula (N-01-3) and general formula (N-01-4) in combination with the compound represented by general formula (I) and the alkenyl compound represented by general formula (II), the effect of suppressing photodegradation of the liquid crystal composition can be enhanced, even if the liquid crystal composition contains a compound having a partial structure A other than the compound represented by general formula (I).

In general formulas (N-01-3) and (N-01-4), preferred embodiments of R ²¹ are as described above. R ²³ each independently represent an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably an alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably an alkoxy group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms.

Specific examples of compounds represented by general formula (N-01-3) include compounds represented by the following formulas (N-01-3a) to (N-01-3e). Of these, compounds represented by formula (N-01-3b) are preferably used.

Specific examples of compounds represented by general formula (N-01-4) include compounds represented by the following formulas (N-01-4a) to (N-01-4f). Of these, compounds represented by formula (N-01-4d) are preferably used.

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains one or both of the compounds represented by formula (N-01-3b) and formula (N-01-4d).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains, as the compound represented by general formula (N-02), one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following general formulas (N-02-1) to (N-02-3):

(In the formula, ^R21 has the same meaning as defined above, and each ^R23 independently represents an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and one or more hydrogen atoms in the alkyl group may be substituted with a fluorine atom, excluding the compound represented by general formula (II).)

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains at least one of the compounds represented by general formula (N-02-1) and general formula (N-02-3).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains one or more compounds represented by the following general formula (N-03-1) as the compound represented by general formula (N-03).

(In the formula, ^R21 has the same meaning as defined above, and ^R23 represents an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and one or more hydrogen atoms in the alkoxy group may be substituted with a fluorine atom, except for the compound represented by general formula (II).)

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains one or more compounds represented by the following general formula (N-04-1) as the compound represented by general formula (N-04).

(In the formula, ^R21 has the same meaning as defined above, and ^R23 represents an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and one or more hydrogen atoms in the alkoxy group may be substituted with a fluorine atom, except for the compound represented by general formula (II).)
The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains, as the compound represented by general formula (N-05), one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formulas (N-05-1) to (N-05-3):

It is particularly preferable that the liquid crystal composition of the present invention simultaneously contains a compound represented by general formula (N-01-1), a compound represented by general formula (N-01-4), and a compound represented by general formula (N-02-1).

It is particularly preferable that the liquid crystal composition of the present invention simultaneously contains a compound represented by general formula (N-01-1), a compound represented by general formula (N-01-4), and a compound represented by general formula (N-02-3).

It is particularly preferable that the liquid crystal composition of the present invention simultaneously contains a compound represented by general formula (N-01-1), a compound represented by general formula (N-01-4), and a compound represented by general formula (N-03-1).

It is particularly preferable that the liquid crystal composition of the present invention simultaneously contains a compound represented by general formula (N-01-1), a compound represented by general formula (N-01-4), and a compound represented by general formula (N-04-1).

In the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, the preferred lower limit of the content of the compound represented by general formula (N-01) is 0% by mass, 1% by mass, 5% by mass, 8% by mass, 10% by mass, 15% by mass, 20% by mass, 30% by mass, 40% by mass, 50% by mass, 55% by mass, 60% by mass, 65% by mass, 70% by mass, 75% by mass, or 80% by mass. The preferred upper limit of the content is 95% by mass, 85% by mass, 75% by mass, 65% by mass, 55% by mass, 45% by mass, 35% by mass, 25% by mass, 20% by mass, 15% by mass, or 10% by mass.

In the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, the preferred lower limit of the content of the compound represented by general formula (N-02) is 0% by mass, 1% by mass, 5% by mass, 10% by mass, 20% by mass, 30% by mass, 40% by mass, 50% by mass, 55% by mass, 60% by mass, 65% by mass, 70% by mass, 75% by mass, or 80% by mass. The preferred upper limit of the content is 95% by mass, 85% by mass, 75% by mass, 65% by mass, 55% by mass, 45% by mass, 35% by mass, 25% by mass, 20% by mass, 15% by mass, or 10% by mass.

With respect to the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, the preferred lower limit of the content of the compound represented by general formula (N-03) is 0% by mass, 1% by mass, 5% by mass, 10% by mass, 20% by mass, 30% by mass, 40% by mass, 50% by mass, 55% by mass, 60% by mass, 65% by mass, 70% by mass, 75% by mass, or 80% by mass. The preferred upper limit of the content is 95% by mass, 85% by mass, 75% by mass, 65% by mass, 55% by mass, 45% by mass, 35% by mass, 25% by mass, 20% by mass, 15% by mass, or 10% by mass.

With respect to the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, the preferred lower limit of the content of the compound represented by general formula (N-04) is 0% by mass, 1% by mass, 5% by mass, 10% by mass, 20% by mass, 30% by mass, 40% by mass, 50% by mass, 55% by mass, 60% by mass, 65% by mass, 70% by mass, 75% by mass, or 80% by mass. The preferred upper limit of the content is 95% by mass, 85% by mass, 75% by mass, 65% by mass, 55% by mass, 45% by mass, 35% by mass, 25% by mass, 20% by mass, 15% by mass, or 10% by mass.

With respect to the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, the preferred lower limit of the content of the compound represented by formula (N-05) is 0% by mass, 2% by mass, 5% by mass, 8% by mass, 10% by mass, 13% by mass, 15% by mass, 17% by mass, or 20% by mass. The preferred upper limit of the content is 30% by mass, 28% by mass, 25% by mass, 23% by mass, 20% by mass, 18% by mass, 15% by mass, or 13% by mass.

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may further contain one or more compounds represented by general formula (N-06).

(In the formula, ^R21 and ^R22 have the same meanings as above, except for the compound represented by general formula (II).)

The compound represented by general formula (N-06) is effective when it is desired to adjust various physical properties, and can be used to obtain, among others, a large refractive index anisotropy (Δn), a high nematic phase-isotropic liquid phase transition temperature (T _ni ), and a large Δε.

In the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, the preferred lower limit of the content of the compound represented by general formula (N-06) is 0% by mass, 2% by mass, 5% by mass, 8% by mass, 10% by mass, 13% by mass, 15% by mass, 17% by mass, or 20% by mass. The preferred upper limit of the content is 30% by mass, 28% by mass, 25% by mass, 23% by mass, 20% by mass, 18% by mass, 15% by mass, 13% by mass, 10% by mass, or 5% by mass.

(4) Compound Represented by General Formula (L) The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may further contain one or more compounds represented by general formula (L).

(wherein R ^L1 and R ^L2 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may each independently be replaced by —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO— or —OCO—, as long as no oxygen atoms are adjacent to each other;
A ^L1 , A ^L2 and A ^L3 each independently represent (a) a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (in which one —CH ₂ — or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups may be replaced by —O—, as long as the oxygen atoms are not adjacent to each other).
(b) a 1,4-phenylene group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N= groups), and (c) a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, or a decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N= groups).
wherein the groups (a), (b) and (c) may each independently be substituted with a cyano group or a halogen atom;
Z ^L1 and Z ^L2 each independently represent a single bond, —CH ₂ CH ₂ —, —(CH ₂ ) ₄ —, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCF ₂ —, —CF ₂ O—, —CH═N—N═CH—, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C—;
n ^L1 represents 0, 1, 2 or 3;
When n ^L1 is 2 or 3 and a plurality of A ^L2s are present, the plurality of A ^L2s may be the same or different,
When n ^L1 is 2 or 3 and a plurality of Z ^L3s are present, the plurality of Z ^L3s may be the same or different.
However, compounds represented by general formula (I), general formula (II), general formula (N-1), general formula (N-2) and general formula (N-3) are excluded.)

The compound represented by general formula (L) is a compound that is nearly dielectrically neutral, excluding the compound represented by general formula (II). Specifically, the compound represented by general formula (L) preferably exhibits a dielectric anisotropy (Δε) at 20°C of -2 or more and 2 or less.

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains, as the compound represented by general formula (L), one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following general formulas (NU-01) to (NU-06):

(In the formula, R ^NU11 , R ^NU12 , R ^NU21 , R ^NU22 , R ^NU31 , R ^NU32 , R ^NU41 , R ^NU42 , R ^NU51 , R ^NU52 , R ^NU61 and R ^NU62 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the group may each independently be replaced by —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO— or —OCO—, as long as no oxygen atom is adjacent to them.)
However, compounds represented by general formula (II) are excluded.

In general formulae (NU-01) to (NU-06), R ^NU11 , R ^NU12 , R ^NU21 , R ^NU22 , R ^NU31 , R ^NU32 , R ^NU41 , R ^NU42 , R ^NU51 , R ^NU52 , R ^NU61 and R ^NU62 are each independently preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and even more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains at least one or more compounds represented by general formula (NU-01).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains at least one or more compounds represented by general formula (NU-04).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains at least one or more compounds represented by general formula (NU-06).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains one or more compounds represented by general formula (NU-01) and general formula (NU-02).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains one or more compounds represented by general formula (NU-01) and general formula (NU-03).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains one or more compounds represented by general formula (NU-01) and general formula (NU-06).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains a compound represented by general formula (NU-01), a compound represented by general formula (NU-02), and a compound represented by general formula (NU-04).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains a compound represented by general formula (NU-01), a compound represented by general formula (NU-03), and a compound represented by general formula (NU-05).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains a compound represented by general formula (NU-01), a compound represented by general formula (NU-02), a compound represented by general formula (NU-03), and a compound represented by general formula (NU-05).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains a compound represented by general formula (NU-03), a compound represented by general formula (NU-04), and a compound represented by general formula (NU-05).

Specific examples of compounds represented by general formula (NU-01) include compounds represented by the following formulas (NU-01-1) to (NU-01-7).

Specific examples of compounds represented by general formula (NU-02) include compounds represented by the following formulas (NU-02-1) to (NU-02-6).

Specific examples of compounds represented by general formula (NU-03) include compounds represented by the following formulas (NU-03-1) to (NU-03-7). Of these, the compound represented by formula (NU-03-1) is preferred.

Specific examples of compounds represented by general formula (NU-04) include compounds represented by the following formulas (NU-04-4) to (NU-04-6). Of these, the compound represented by formula (NU-04-4) is preferred.

Specific examples of compounds represented by general formula (NU-05) include compounds represented by the following formulas (NU-05-1) to (NU-05-7). Of these, the compound represented by formula (NU-05-2) is preferred.

The content of the compound represented by general formula (NU-01) in the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is preferably 5 to 60% by mass, more preferably 10 to 50% by mass, and even more preferably 25 to 45% by mass.

The content of the compound represented by general formula (NU-02) in the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is preferably 3 to 30% by mass, more preferably 5 to 25% by mass, and even more preferably 5 to 20% by mass.

The total content of the compounds represented by general formula (NU-03) is preferably 0 to 30% by mass, more preferably 0 to 25.5% by mass, more preferably 0 to 20% by mass, more preferably 0 to 15% by mass, and even more preferably 0 to 10% by mass, based on the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

The total content of the compounds represented by general formula (NU-04) is preferably 3 to 30% by mass, more preferably 3 to 20% by mass, more preferably 3 to 17% by mass, more preferably 3 to 15% by mass, and even more preferably 3 to 10% by mass, based on the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

The total content of the compounds represented by general formula (NU-05) is preferably 1 to 30% by mass, more preferably 1 to 20% by mass, more preferably 3 to 20% by mass, more preferably 3 to 17% by mass, and even more preferably 3 to 15% by mass, based on the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

The total content of the compounds represented by general formula (NU-06) is preferably 1 to 30% by mass, more preferably 3 to 20% by mass, and even more preferably 3 to 10% by mass, of the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

(5) Polymerizable Compound The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may contain one or more polymerizable compounds. By containing a polymerizable compound, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention can further increase VHR, and can be suitably used in the production of PSA-mode liquid crystal display elements in particular.

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may contain one or more polymerizable compounds represented by general formula (P).

(In general formula (P), R ^p1 represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, or -Sp ^p2 -P ^p2 , one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ₂ - groups in the alkyl group may be substituted with -CH═CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -COO-, or -OCO- so that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent, and one or two or more hydrogen atoms in the alkyl group may each independently be substituted with a cyano group, a fluorine atom, or a chlorine atom.)
P ^p1 and P ^p2 each independently represent a polymerizable group.
Sp ^p1 and Sp ^p2 each independently represent a spacer group.
Z ^p1 and Z ^p2 each independently represent a single bond, —O—, —S—, —CH 2 —, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —CO—, —C ₂ H ₄ —, —COO—, —OCO— _, —OCOOCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ OCOO—, —OCH ₂ CH ₂ O—, —CO—NR ^ZP1 —, —NR ^ZP1 —CO—, —SCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ S—, —CH═CR ^ZP1 —COO—, —CH═CR ZP1 —OCO—, —COO-CR ZP1 ═CH—, —OCO-CR ^ZP1 ═CH—, —COO-CR ^ZP1 ═CH—COO—, —COO-CR ^{ZP1 ═CH} —COO—, —COO-CR ^ZP1 ═CH—OCO—, —OCO—CR ^ZP1 ═CH—COO—, —OCO—CR ^ZP1 ═CH—OCO—, —(CH ₂ ) ₂ —COO— _, —(CH 2 ) ₂ —OCO—, —OCO—(CH ₂ ) ₂ —, —(C═O)—O—(CH ₂ ) ₂ —, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF—, —CF═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF 2 —, —CF ₂ O—, —OCF ₂ —, —CF ₂ CH ₂ —, —CH ₂ CF ₂ —, —CF ₂ CF ₂ —, or —C≡C— (wherein R ^ZP1 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, but if _R When a plurality of ^ZP1s are present, they may be the same or different.
A ^p1 , A ^p2 , and A ^p3 each independently represent
(a ^p ) a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (one or more —CH ₂ — groups in the group may be replaced by —O— as long as no oxygen atom is adjacent to them).
(b ^p ) a 1,4-phenylene group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N=), and (c ^p ) a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a naphthalene-1,4-diyl group, a naphthalene-1,5-diyl group, a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a phenanthrene-2,7-diyl group, or an anthracene-2,6-diyl group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N=).
and one or more hydrogen atoms present in the groups (a ^p ), (b ^p ), and (c ^p ) may each independently be substituted with a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a fluorine atom, or -Sp ^p2 -P ^p2 , and one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ₂ - groups in the alkyl group may each independently be substituted with -CH═CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -COO-, or -OCO- so that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent to each other.
Furthermore, when m ^p1 is 0 and A ^p1 is a group represented by the group (c ^p ), A ^p3 may be a single bond.
m ^p1 represents 0, 1, 2 or 3.
When a plurality of Z ^p1 , A ^p2 , Sp ^p2 and/or P ^p2 are present in a molecule, they may be the same or different.

In general formula (P), R ^p1 is preferably -Sp ^p2 -P ^p2 .

In general formula (P), P ^p1 and P ^p2 each independently represent preferably any one of the following general formulae (P ^p1 -1) to (P ^p1 -8), more preferably any one of general formulae (P ^p1 -1) to (P ^p1 -3), and even more preferably general formula (P ^p1 -1).

(In the formula, R ^p11 , R ^p12 , R ^p13 , R ^p14 , and R ^p15 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a fluorine atom, or a hydrogen atom.
W ^p11 represents a single bond, —O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —CH ₂ — or —C ₂ H ₄ —.
t ^p11 represents 0, 1 or 2.
t ^p12 and t ^p13 each independently represent 0, 1 or 2, provided that when t ^p12 and/or t ^p13 represents 0, they represent a single bond.
t ^p14 represents 0, 1 or 2.
t ^p15 and t ^p16 each independently represent 0, 1 or 2, provided that when t ^p15 and/or t ^p16 represents 0, they represent a single bond.
When a plurality of R ^p11 , R ^p12 , R ^p13 , R ^p14 , R ^p15 , W ^p11 , t ^p11 , t ^p12 , t ^p13 , t ^p14 , t ^p15 and t ^p16 are present in a molecule, they may be the same or different.

In the general formulae (P ^p1 -1) to (P ^p1 -8), it is preferred that R ^p11 , R ^p12 and R ^p13 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

t ^p11 is preferably 0 or 1.

t ^p14 is preferably 0 or 1.

It is preferred that t ^p15 and t ^p16 each independently represent 0 or 1.

W ^p11 is preferably a single bond, —O—, —CH ₂ — or —C ₂ H ₄ —.

The groups represented by the general formulae (P ^p1 -1) to (P ^p1 -8) can be further modified to groups represented by the general formulae (P ^p11 -1) to (P ^p11 -8).

(In the formula, R ^p111 , R ^p112 , R ^p113 , and W ^p111 have the same meanings as R ^p11 , R ^p12 , R ^p13 , and W ^p11 in the general formula, respectively, and t ^p117 represents 0, 1, or 2.)

In general formula (P), Z ^p1 and Z ^p2 each independently represent a single bond, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —CO—, —C ₂ H ₄ —, —COO—, —OCO—, —COOC ₂ H ₄ —, —OCOC ₂ H ₄ —, —C ₂ H ₄ OCO—, —C ₂ H ₄ COO—, —CH═CH—, —CF ₂ —, —CF ₂ O—, —(CH ₂ ) ₂ —COO—, —(CH ₂ ) ₂ —OCO—, —OCO—(CH ₂ ) ₂ —, —CH═CH—COO—, —COO-CH═CH—, —OCOCH═CH—, —COO-(CH ₂ ) ₂ —, —OCF ₂ Among these, it is more preferable that Z ^p1 and Z ^p2 are each independently a single bond, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —C ₂ H ₄ —, —COO—, —OCO—, —COOC ₂ H ₄ —, —OCOC ₂ H ₄ —, —C ₂ H ₄ OCO—, —C ₂ H ₄ COO—, —CH═CH—, —(CH ₂ ) ₂ —COO—, —(CH ₂ ) ₂ —OCO—, —OCO—(CH ₂ ) ₂ —, —CH═CH—COO—, —COO-CH═CH—, —OCOCH═CH—, —COO—(CH ₂ ) ₂ — or —C≡C—.

It is preferred that only one of Z ^p1 and Z ^p2 present in a molecule is —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —C ₂ H ₄ —, —COO—, —OCO—, —COOC ₂ H ₄ —, —OCOC ₂ H ₄ —, —C ₂ H ₄ OCO—, —C ₂ H ₄ COO—, —CH═CH—, —(CH ₂ ) ₂ —COO—, —(CH ₂ ) ₂ —OCO—, —OCO—(CH ₂ ) ₂ —, —CH═CH—COO—, —COO- ^CH═CH— , —OCOCH═CH—, ^—COO- (CH _{2 ) 2} — or —C≡C—, and the rest are all single bonds _. It is more preferable that Z _p1 and Z _p2 in the molecule are single bonds, and it is further preferable that Z ^p1 and Z ^p2 in the molecule are single bonds.

It is also preferred that only one of Z ^p1 and Z ^p2 present in the molecule is a linking group selected from the group consisting of -CH=CH-COO-, -COO-CH=CH-, -(CH ₂ ) ₂ -COO-, -(CH ₂ ) ₂ -OCO-, -O-CO-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -, and -COO-(CH ₂ ) ₂ -, and that the others are all single bonds.

In general formula (P), Sp ^p1 and Sp ^p2 each independently represent a spacer group. The spacer group preferably represents a single bond or a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ₂ - groups in the alkylene group may be substituted with -O-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CH═CH-, or -C≡C-, as long as the oxygen atoms are not directly linked to each other, and one or two or more hydrogen atoms in the alkylene group may be substituted with a fluorine atom. Of these, Sp ^p1 and Sp ^p2 each independently represent a linear alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a single bond.

In general formula (P), A ^p1 , A ^p2 and A ^p3 each independently represent a group selected from the group consisting of the group (a ^p ), group (b ^p ) and group (c ^p ). Among these, it is more preferable that A ^p1 , A ^p2 and A ^p3 each independently represent the group (a ^p ) or group (b ^p ), preferably a 1,4-phenylene group or a 1,4-cyclohexylene group, and even more preferably a 1,4-phenylene group. When ^{m p1} is 0 and A ^p1 is a group represented by the group (c ^p ), it is preferable that A ^p3 represents a single bond.

Furthermore, one or more hydrogen atoms present in the groups (a ^p ), (b ^p ), and (c ^p ) are preferably substituted with a fluorine atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, a cyano group, or -Sp ^p2 -P ^p2 , and particularly preferably with a fluorine atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or -Sp ^p2 -P ^p2 . When A ^p1 , A ^p2 , and A ^p3 each represent a 1,4-phenylene group, it is preferable that A ^p1 , A ^p2 , and A ^p3 are each independently substituted with one fluorine atom, one methyl group, or one methoxy group. This is because compatibility with liquid crystal molecules (liquid crystal compounds) can be improved.

In formula (P), m ^p1 is preferably 0, 1 or 2, and more preferably 0 or 1.

One preferred embodiment of the polymerizable compound represented by general formula (P) is a compound represented by the following general formula (RM):

(In the formula, R ¹⁰¹ , R ¹⁰² , R ¹⁰³ , R ¹⁰⁴ , R ¹⁰⁵ , R ¹⁰⁶ , R ¹⁰⁷ and R ¹⁰⁸ each independently represent P ¹³ —S ¹³ —, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a fluorine atom, an alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a fluorine atom, a fluorine atom or a hydrogen atom;
P ¹¹ , P ¹² and P ¹³ each independently represent a polymerizable group;
S ¹¹ , S ¹² and S ¹³ each independently represent a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, in which one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups may be substituted with —O—, —OCO— or —COO— so that oxygen atoms are not directly bonded;
When a plurality of P ¹³ and a plurality of S ¹³ are present, the plurality of P ¹³ and the plurality of S ¹³ may be the same or different.

In the above general formula (RM), R ¹⁰¹ , R ¹⁰² , R ¹⁰³ , R ¹⁰⁴ , R ¹⁰⁵ , R ¹⁰⁶ , R ¹⁰⁷ and R ¹⁰⁸ each independently represent P ¹³ -S ¹³ -, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a fluorine atom, an alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a fluorine atom, a fluorine atom or a hydrogen atom, and in the case of an alkyl group or alkoxy group, the number of carbon atoms is preferably 1 to 16, more preferably 1 to 10, even more preferably 1 to 8, still more preferably 1 to 6, and even more preferably 1 to 3. Furthermore, the alkyl group and alkoxy group may be linear or branched, but linear chains are particularly preferred.

In the above general formula (RM), R ¹⁰¹ , R ¹⁰² , R ¹⁰³ , R ¹⁰⁴ , R ¹⁰⁵ , R ¹⁰⁶ , R ¹⁰⁷ and R ¹⁰⁸ each independently preferably represent any one of P ¹³ -S ¹³ -, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, a fluorine atom or a hydrogen atom, and more preferably represent any one of P ¹³ -S ¹³ -, an alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, a fluorine atom or a hydrogen atom. The alkoxy group preferably has 1 to 3 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 2 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 carbon atom, i.e., a methoxy group.

In the general formula (RM), P ¹¹ , P ¹² and P ¹³ may all be the same polymerizable group or different polymerizable groups. P ¹¹ , P ¹² and P ¹³ each independently represent a group represented by formula (Re-1) to formula (Re-9):

(In the formula, R ¹¹ , R ¹² , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a fluorine atom or a hydrogen atom;
^mr5 , ^mr7 , ^nr5 and ^nr7 each independently represent 0, 1 or 2, but when ^mr5 , ^mr7 , ^nr5 and/or ^nr7 represents 0, they represent a single bond.
It is preferable that the polymerizable group is represented by the following formula:

Among these, P ¹¹ , P ¹² and P ¹³ are each independently preferably a group represented by formula (Re-1), formula (Re-2), formula (Re-3), formula (Re-4), formula (Re-5) or formula (Re-7), more preferably a group represented by formula (Re-1), formula (Re-2), formula (Re-3) or formula (Re-4), even more preferably a group represented by formula (Re-1), and particularly preferably an acrylic group or a methacrylic group. Also, at least one of P ¹¹ and P ¹² is preferably formula (Re-1), more preferably an acrylic group or a methacrylic group, even more preferably a methacrylic group, and particularly preferably P ¹¹ and P ¹² are methacrylic groups.

In the above general formula (RM), S ¹¹ , S ¹² , and S ¹³ are preferably each independently a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably a single bond. When the driving system of the liquid crystal display element of the present invention is a PSA system or a PSVA system, it is preferable that S ¹¹ , S ¹² , and S ¹³ are each independently a single bond in the above general formula (RM). This is because, in the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display element of the present invention, the amount of the second polymerizable compound remaining after irradiation with active energy rays is sufficiently small, and display defects (e.g., image sticking) due to changes in the pretilt angle do not occur or are extremely reduced. Furthermore, when the driving system of the liquid crystal display element of the present invention is an NPS type, it is preferable that S ¹¹ , S ¹² , and S ¹³ in the above general formula (RM) have 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

One preferred embodiment of the polymerizable compound represented by general formula (P) is a compound represented by the following general formula (i):

(In general formula (i), P ⁱ¹ and P ⁱ² each independently represent a polymerizable group.
S ⁱ¹ and S ⁱ² each independently represent a spacer group.
Z ⁱ¹ and Z ⁱ² each independently represent a single bond, —O—, —S—, —CH 2 —, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —CO—, —C ₂ H ₄ —, —COO—, —OCO— _, —OCOOCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ OCOO—, —OCH ₂ CH ₂ O—, —CO—NR ^ZP1 —, —NR ^ZP1 —CO—, —SCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ S—, —CH═CR ^ZP1 —COO—, —CH═CR ZP1 —OCO—, —COO-CR ZP1 ═CH—, —OCO-CR ^ZP1 ═CH—, —COO-CR ^ZP1 ═CH—COO—, —COO-CR ^{ZP1 ═CH} —COO—, —COO-CR ^ZP1 ═CH—OCO—, —OCO—CR ^ZP1 ═CH—COO—, —OCO—CR ^ZP1 ═CH—OCO—, —(CH ₂ ) ₂ —COO— _, —(CH 2 ) ₂ —OCO—, —OCO—(CH ₂ ) ₂ —, —(C═O)—O—(CH ₂ ) ₂ —, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF—, —CF═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF 2 —, —CF ₂ O—, —OCF ₂ —, —CF ₂ CH ₂ —, —CH ₂ CF ₂ —, —CF ₂ CF ₂ —, or —C≡C— (wherein R ^ZP1 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, but if _R When a plurality of ^ZP1s are present, they may be the same or different.
A ⁱ¹ , A ⁱ² , A ⁱ³ and A ⁱ⁴ each independently represent
(a ^p ) a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (one or more —CH ₂ — groups in the group may be replaced by —O— as long as no oxygen atom is adjacent to them).
(b ^p ) a 1,4-phenylene group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N=), and (c ^p ) a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a naphthalene-1,4-diyl group, a naphthalene-1,5-diyl group, a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a phenanthrene-2,7-diyl group, or an anthracene-2,6-diyl group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N=).
and one or more hydrogen atoms present in the groups (a ^p ), (b ^p ), and (c ^p ) may each independently be substituted with a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a fluorine atom, or -Sp ^p2 -P ^p2 , and one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ₂ - groups in the alkyl group may each independently be substituted with -CH═CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -COO-, or -OCO- so that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent to each other.
R ⁱ¹ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a fluorine atom, or a hydrogen atom;
n ⁱ¹ and n ⁱ² each independently represent 0, 1, 2 or 3, provided that n ⁱ¹ +n ⁱ² represents 0, 1, 2 or 3.
When a plurality of A ⁱ¹ , A ⁱ⁴ , Z ⁱ¹ and Z ⁱ² are present in a molecule, they may be the same or different.

Preferably, A ⁱ¹ and A ⁱ⁴ are each independently a 1,4-phenylene group, a 1,4-cyclohexylene group, a pyridine-2,5-diyl group, a pyrimidine-2,5-diyl group, or a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, and more preferably a 1,4-cyclohexylene group, a 1,4-phenylene group, or a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group. One or more hydrogen atoms in these groups may be substituted with a fluorine atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or -Sp ^p2 -P ^p2, and are preferably substituted with a fluorine atom, a methyl group, or a methoxy group. This is because compatibility with liquid crystal molecules (liquid crystal compounds) can be improved.

Preferably, A ⁱ² is a 1,4-phenylene group. One or more hydrogen atoms in the 1,4-phenylene group may be substituted with a fluorine atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or -Sp ^p2 -P ^p2, and is preferably substituted with a fluorine atom, a methyl group, or a methoxy group. This is because compatibility with liquid crystal molecules (liquid crystal compounds) can be improved.

Preferably, A ⁱ³ represents a 1,4-cyclohexylene group, a 1,4-phenylene group, a naphthalene-1,4-diyl group, a naphthalene-1,5-diyl group, or a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, and more preferably a 1,4-phenylene group. One or more hydrogen atoms in the 1,4-phenylene group may be substituted with a fluorine atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or -Sp ^p2 -P ^p2 , and substitution with a fluorine atom, a methyl group, or a methoxy group is preferred. This is because compatibility with liquid crystal molecules (liquid crystal compounds) can be improved.

P ⁱ¹ and P ⁱ² each independently preferably represent any one of the above general formulae (P ^p1 -1) to (P ^p1 -8), more preferably any one of the general formulae (P ^p1 -1) to (P ^p1 -3), and even more preferably represent general formula (P ^p1 -1).

It is preferred that S ⁱ¹ and S ⁱ² each independently represent a single bond or a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, in which one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ₂ - groups in the alkylene group may be substituted with -O-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CH═CH- or -C≡C- as long as the oxygen atoms are not directly linked to each other, and one or two or more hydrogen atoms in the alkylene group may be substituted with a fluorine atom. Of these, it is preferred that S ⁱ¹ and S ⁱ² each independently represent a linear alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a single bond.

Z ⁱ¹ and Z ⁱ² are each independently preferably —O—, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —C ₂ H ₄ —, —C≡C— or a single bond, and more preferably —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —COO—, —OCO— or a single bond, from the viewpoint of liquid crystal alignment properties.

R ⁱ¹ is preferably a methyl group, an ethyl group, a fluorine atom or a hydrogen atom, and more preferably a hydrogen atom.

Preferred are a combination in which n ⁱ¹ and n ⁱ² are both 0, a combination in which n ⁱ¹ is 1 and n ⁱ² is 0, a combination in which n ⁱ¹ is 2 and n ⁱ² is 0, a combination in which n ⁱ¹ is 1 and n ⁱ² is 1, and a combination in which n ⁱ¹ is 0 and n ⁱ² is 2.

Preferred examples of polymerizable compounds represented by general formula (P) include polymerizable compounds represented by the following formulas (P-1-1) to (P-1-48):

(In the formula, P ^p11 , P ^p12 , Sp ^p11 and Sp ^p12 have the same meanings as P ^p1 , P ^p2 , Sp ^p1 and Sp ^p2 in general formula (P).)

Preferred examples of the polymerizable compound represented by general formula (P) include polymerizable compounds represented by the following formulas (P-2-1) to (P-2-18):

(In the formula, P ^p21 , P ^p22 , Sp ^p21 and Sp ^p22 have the same meanings as P ^p1 , P ^p2 , Sp ^p1 and Sp ^p2 in general formula (P).)

Preferred examples of the polymerizable compound represented by general formula (P) include polymerizable compounds represented by the following formulas (P-3-1) to (P-3-15):

(In the formula, P ^p31 , P ^p32 , Sp ^p31 and Sp ^p32 have the same meanings as P ^p1 , P ^p2 , Sp ^p1 and Sp ^p2 in general formula (P).)

Preferred examples of the polymerizable compound represented by general formula (P) include polymerizable compounds represented by the following formulas (P-4-1) to (P-4-19):

(In the formula, P ^p41 , P ^p42 , Sp ^p41 and Sp ^p42 have the same meanings as P ^p1 , P ^p2 , Sp ^p1 and Sp ^p2 in general formula (P).)

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may contain one type of polymerizable compound represented by the above general formula (P), or may contain two or more types. By containing a combination of two or more types of compounds represented by the above general formula (P) that have different polymerization reaction rates, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention can appropriately control the polymerization reaction rate, reduce the amount of residual monomer, and impart an appropriate pretilt angle. Furthermore, by containing two or more types of compounds represented by the above general formula (P), the liquid crystal composition of the present invention can achieve a better balance between storage stability and polymerization reaction rate.

In particular, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains, as the polymerizable compound represented by general formula (P), one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formula (RM) and compounds represented by general formula (i).

The lower limit of the total content of the compounds represented by general formula (P) is preferably 0.01% by mass, preferably 0.02% by mass, preferably 0.03% by mass, preferably 0.04% by mass, preferably 0.05% by mass, preferably 0.06% by mass, preferably 0.07% by mass, preferably 0.08% by mass, preferably 0.09% by mass, preferably 0.1% by mass, preferably 0.12% by mass, and more preferably 0.15% by mass, based on the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. % by mass is preferred, 0.17% by mass is preferred, 0.2% by mass is preferred, 0.22% by mass is preferred, 0.25% by mass is preferred, 0.27% by mass is preferred, 0.3% by mass is preferred, 0.32% by mass is preferred, 0.35% by mass is preferred, 0.37% by mass is preferred, 0.4% by mass is preferred, 0.42% by mass is preferred, 0.45% by mass is preferred, 0.5% by mass is preferred, and 0.55% by mass is preferred.

The upper limit of the total content of the compounds represented by general formula (P) is preferably 10% by mass, preferably 8% by mass, preferably 5% by mass, preferably 4.5% by mass, preferably 4% by mass, preferably 3.5% by mass, preferably 3% by mass, preferably 2.5% by mass, preferably 2% by mass, preferably 1.5% by mass, preferably 1.3% by mass, preferably 1% by mass, preferably 0.95% by mass, preferably 0.9% by mass, preferably 0.85% by mass, preferably 0.8% by mass, preferably 0.75% by mass, preferably 0.7% by mass, preferably 0.65% by mass, preferably 0.6% by mass, preferably 0.55% by mass, preferably 0.5% by mass, preferably 0.45% by mass, and preferably 0.4% by mass, based on the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

The preferred range of the content of the compound represented by general formula (P) can be set by combining the above-mentioned upper and lower limits, taking into consideration the effect of adding the polymerizable compound, the alignment control power of the liquid crystal composition, the amount of residual monomer when the polymerizable compound is reacted, the reaction time, the influence of the liquid crystal reliability, etc. Among these, 0.05% to 10% by mass, 0.1% to 8% by mass, 0.1% to 5% by mass, 0.1% to 3% by mass, 0.2% to 2% by mass, 0.2% to 1.3% by mass, 0.2% to 1% by mass, and 0.2% to 0.55% by mass are preferred, based on the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

(6) Other Compounds The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may contain, in addition to the above-mentioned compounds, a normal nematic liquid crystal, a smectic liquid crystal, a cholesteric liquid crystal, an antioxidant, an ultraviolet absorber, a light stabilizer, an infrared absorber, or the like.

In particular, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains one or more additives selected from the group consisting of antioxidants and light stabilizers. This is because, in addition to the degradation-inhibiting effect achieved by the combination of the compound represented by general formula (I) and the compound represented by general formula (II) described above, the antioxidant and light stabilizer exert their effect of inhibiting degradation of the liquid crystal composition, thereby further improving the reliability of the alkenyl compound-containing liquid crystal composition and the device using it.

More specifically, compounds represented by the following formulas (III-1) to (III-41) are preferred as antioxidants or light stabilizers.

(In the formula, n represents an integer from 0 to 20.)

The content of the antioxidant and light stabilizer in the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is preferably 0.001% by mass to 1% by mass, more preferably 0.001% by mass to 0.1% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.001% by mass to 0.05% by mass.

(7) Others In the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, the upper limit of the total content of the compounds represented by general formula (I), the compounds represented by general formula (II), the compounds represented by general formulas (N-01) to (N-05), and the compounds represented by general formulas (NU-01) to (NU-06) is preferably 100 mass%, 99 mass%, 98 mass%, 97 mass%, 96 mass%, 95 mass%, 94 mass%, 93 mass%, 92 mass%, 91 mass%, 90 mass%, 89 mass%, 88 mass%, 87 mass%, 86 mass%, 85 mass%, or 84 mass%, based on the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. Furthermore, the lower limit of the total content of these is preferably 78 mass%, 80 mass%, 81 mass%, 83 mass%, 85 mass%, 86 mass%, 87 mass%, 88 mass%, 89 mass%, 90 mass%, 91 mass%, 92 mass%, 93 mass%, 94 mass%, 95 mass%, 96 mass%, 97 mass%, 98 mass%, 99 mass%, or 100 mass% of the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

In the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, the upper limit value of the total content of the compounds represented by general formula (I), the compounds represented by general formula (II), the compounds represented by general formulas (N-01) to (N-05), and the compounds represented by general formulas (NU-01) to (NU-06) is preferably 100% by mass, 99% by mass, 98% by mass, 97% by mass, 96% by mass, 95% by mass, 94% by mass, 93% by mass, 92% by mass, 91% by mass, 90% by mass, 89% by mass, 88% by mass, 87% by mass, 86% by mass, 85% by mass, or 84% by mass, based on the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. Furthermore, the lower limit of the total content of these components is preferably 78 mass%, 80 mass%, 81 mass%, 83 mass%, 85 mass%, 86 mass%, 87 mass%, 88 mass%, 89 mass%, 90 mass%, 91 mass%, 92 mass%, 93 mass%, 94 mass%, 95 mass%, 96 mass%, 97 mass%, 98 mass%, 99 mass%, or 100 mass% of the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

In the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, the upper limit value of the total content of the compounds represented by general formulas (I-1) and (I-2), the compounds represented by general formulas (II-NU-01) to (II-NU-06), the compounds represented by general formulas (N-01) to (N-05), and the compounds represented by general formulas (NU-01) to (NU-06) is preferably 100% by mass, 99% by mass, 98% by mass, 97% by mass, 96% by mass, 95% by mass, 94% by mass, 93% by mass, 92% by mass, 91% by mass, 90% by mass, 89% by mass, 88% by mass, 87% by mass, 86% by mass, 85% by mass, or 84% by mass, based on the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. Furthermore, the lower limit of the total content of these components is preferably 78 mass%, 80 mass%, 81 mass%, 83 mass%, 85 mass%, 86 mass%, 87 mass%, 88 mass%, 89 mass%, 90 mass%, 91 mass%, 92 mass%, 93 mass%, 94 mass%, 95 mass%, 96 mass%, 97 mass%, 98 mass%, 99 mass%, or 100 mass% of the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

In the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, the upper limit of the total content of the compounds represented by general formulas (I-1) and (I-2), the compounds represented by general formulas (II-NU-01) to (II-NU-06), the compounds represented by general formulas (N-01) to (N-05), the compounds represented by general formulas (NU-01) to (NU-06), and the polymerizable compound represented by general formula (P) is preferably 100% by mass, 99% by mass, 98% by mass, 97% by mass, 96% by mass, 95% by mass, 94% by mass, 93% by mass, 92% by mass, 91% by mass, 90% by mass, 89% by mass, 88% by mass, 87% by mass, 86% by mass, 85% by mass, or 84% by mass, based on the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. Furthermore, the lower limit of the total content of these components is preferably 78 mass%, 80 mass%, 81 mass%, 83 mass%, 85 mass%, 86 mass%, 87 mass%, 88 mass%, 89 mass%, 90 mass%, 91 mass%, 92 mass%, 93 mass%, 94 mass%, 95 mass%, 96 mass%, 97 mass%, 98 mass%, 99 mass%, or 100 mass% of the total amount of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (I-1), (I-2), (I-3), (I-4), (I-5), and (I-6), one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (II-NU-01), (II-NU-02), (II-NU-03), (II-NU-04), (II-NU-05), and (II-NU-06), and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (II-N-01), (II-N-02), (II-N-03), (II-N-04), and (II-N-05). It is preferable to include two or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (N-01), (N-02), (N-03), (N-04), and (N-05), and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (NU-01), (NU-02), (NU-03), (NU-04), (NU-05), and (NU-06). In addition to these compounds, it is preferable to include one or more polymerizable compounds represented by general formula (P), and it is preferable to include one or more polymerizable compounds represented by general formulas (RM) and (i).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (I-1-1), (I-1-2), (I-1-), (I-1-4), (I-2-1), (I-2-2), (I-2-2) and (I-2-4), and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (II-NU-01A), (II-NU-02A), (II-NU-03A), (II-NU-04A) and (II-NU-05A). and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (II-N-01), (II-N-02), (II-N-03), (II-N-04), and (II-N-05). In addition to these compounds, it is preferable to further include one or more polymerizable compounds represented by general formula (P), and it is preferable to include one or more polymerizable compounds represented by general formula (RM) and general formula (i).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (I-1-1), (I-1-2), (I-1-), (I-1-4), (I-2-1), (I-2-2), (I-2-2) and (I-2-4), and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formula (II-NU-01 ₁ ). In addition to these compounds, the liquid crystal composition preferably further contains one or more polymerizable compounds represented by general formula (P), and preferably contains one or more polymerizable compounds represented by general formulas (RM) and (i).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (I-1-1), (I-1-2), (I-1-) and (I-1-4) and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formula (II-NU-01 ₁ ). The compound represented by general formula (II-NU-01 ₁ ) preferably contains a compound represented by formula (II-NU-01A ₁₂ ). In addition to these compounds, the liquid crystal composition preferably further contains one or more polymerizable compounds represented by general formula (P), and preferably contains one or more polymerizable compounds represented by general formula (RM) and general formula (i).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formulas (I-2-1), (I-2-2), (I-2-2) and (I-2-4) and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formula (II-NU-01 ₁ ). The compound represented by general formula (II-NU-01 ₁ ) preferably contains a compound represented by formula (II-NU-01A ₁₂ ). In addition to these compounds, the liquid crystal composition preferably further contains one or more polymerizable compounds represented by general formula (P), and preferably contains one or more polymerizable compounds represented by general formula (RM) and general formula (i).

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably has a nematic phase-isotropic liquid phase transition temperature (T _ni ) of 70° C. to 120° C., more preferably 80° C. to 120° C., and particularly preferably 90° C. to 110° C. In the present invention, a T _ni of 80° C. or higher is expressed as being high.

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably has a refractive index anisotropy (Δn) at 20°C of 0.08 to 0.14, more preferably 0.09 to 0.13, and particularly preferably 0.09 to 0.12. More specifically, when used in conjunction with a thin cell gap, it is preferably 0.10 to 0.13, and when used in conjunction with a thick cell gap, it is preferably 0.08 to 0.10. In the present invention, Δn of 0.09 or greater is considered to be large.

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention has a rotational viscosity (γ ₁ ) at 20°C of 50 to 160 mPa·s, preferably 55 to 160 mPa·s, more preferably 60 to 160 mPa·s, more preferably 70 to 150 mPa·s, more preferably 75 to 140 mPa·s, more preferably 80 to 130 mPa·s, and more preferably 80 to 120 mPa·s.

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably has a negative dielectric anisotropy, the absolute value of which is 2 or greater. More specifically, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention has a dielectric anisotropy (Δε) at 20°C of -2.0 to -8.0, preferably -2.0 to -6.0, more preferably -2.0 to -5.0, still more preferably -2.5 to -4.0, and particularly preferably -2.5 to -3.5.

II. Liquid Crystal Display Element The liquid crystal display element of the present invention is an element using the liquid crystal composition described above in the section "I. Liquid Crystal Composition." The liquid crystal display element of the present invention can have high-speed response and high reliability because the liquid crystal composition constituting the liquid crystal layer contains a compound represented by general formula (I) and a compound represented by general formula (II). Furthermore, by having these properties, the liquid crystal display element of the present invention can exhibit excellent display quality.

The liquid crystal display element of the present invention is preferably an active matrix drive element. Furthermore, the drive system of the liquid crystal display element of the present invention can be a PSA system, PSVA system, VA system, IPS system, FFS system, PS-IPS system, PS-FFS system, NPS system, or ECB system. The liquid crystal display element of the present invention is preferably a PSA system or PSVA system. Furthermore, the liquid crystal display element of the present invention is preferably an IPS system or FFS system.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a liquid crystal display element of the present invention. Note that the structure of the liquid crystal display element of the present invention is not limited to this example. For ease of explanation, each component is shown separated in Figure 1. The liquid crystal display element 1 shown in Figure 1 includes a first substrate 2 and a second substrate 3 arranged opposite each other, and a liquid crystal layer 4 provided between the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 3. As illustrated in Figure 1, a pixel electrode layer 5 is formed on the surface of the first substrate 2 facing the liquid crystal layer 4. A common electrode layer 6 is formed on the second substrate 3 facing the liquid crystal layer 4. The first substrate 2 and the second substrate 3 may be sandwiched between a pair of polarizing plates 7 and 8. A color filter 9 may also be provided on the liquid crystal layer 4 side of the second substrate 3.

The liquid crystal layer 4 contains the liquid crystal composition described above in the section "I. Liquid Crystal Composition." In the case of a liquid crystal display element manufactured using a liquid crystal composition containing a polymerizable compound, polymers of the polymerizable compound produced by ultraviolet irradiation during the manufacturing process are unevenly distributed at the interfaces of the liquid crystal layer 4 on the first substrate 2 and second substrate sides. In other words, in the above case, polymers of the polymerizable compound are formed at the interfaces between the liquid crystal layer 4 and the first substrate 2 and second substrate.

Although not shown, the liquid crystal display element of the present invention comprises a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, and a liquid crystal layer containing the liquid crystal composition disposed between the first and second substrates. The first substrate may have a first alignment film on the surface facing the liquid crystal layer, and the second substrate may have a second alignment film on the surface facing the liquid crystal layer. That is, the liquid crystal display element of the present invention may have a configuration in which a first polarizer, a first substrate, a first alignment film, a pixel electrode layer, a liquid crystal layer, a common electrode layer, a color filter, a second alignment film, a second substrate, and a second polarizer are laminated in this order. The alignment film has the function of aligning liquid crystal molecules. The alignment film may be a polyimide alignment film or other film commonly used in liquid crystal display elements.

The liquid crystal display element of the present invention can be manufactured by known methods. For example, a PSA-type liquid crystal display element can be manufactured by the following procedure. First, the surface of the first substrate on which the alignment film is arranged and the surface of the second substrate on which the alignment film is arranged are placed face to face, and the two substrates are bonded together via spacer protrusions and a sealant to achieve the desired cell gap, to create an empty cell. Next, a liquid crystal composition is sandwiched between the first and second substrates of the empty cell, and the sealant is cured to seal the liquid crystal composition between the first and second substrates. Thereafter, the polymerizable compound contained in the liquid crystal composition is polymerized by irradiating it with active energy rays such as ultraviolet rays or electron beams. This allows the desired liquid crystal display element to be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and any configuration that is substantially identical to the technical concept described in the claims of the present invention and that provides similar effects is within the technical scope of the present invention.

The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

In the following examples and comparative examples, in order to distinguish between the liquid crystal compositions before and after the addition of the polymerizable compound, the liquid crystal composition before the addition of the polymerizable compound is simply referred to as the "liquid crystal composition," and the liquid crystal composition after the addition of the polymerizable compound is referred to as the "polymerizable liquid crystal composition."

The following abbreviations are used to describe compounds in the examples and comparative examples. Note that n represents a natural number.

(Side chain)
-n -C _n H _2n+1 Straight-chain alkyl group with n carbon atoms n- C _n H _2n+1 - Straight-chain alkyl group with n carbon atoms -On -OC _n H _2n+1 Straight-chain alkoxyl group with n carbon atoms nO- C _n H _2n+1 O- Straight-chain alkoxyl group with n carbon atoms -V -CH=CH ₂
V- CH ₂ =CH-
-V1 -CH=CH-CH ₃
1V- CH ₃ -CH=CH-
-2V -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH=CH ₂
V2- CH ₂ =CH-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -
-2V1 -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH=CH-CH ₃
1V2- CH ₃ -CH=CH-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -
(linking group)
-n- -C _n H2 _n -
-nO- -C _n H _2n -O-
-On- -O-C _n H _2n -
-COO- -C(=O)-O-
-OCO- -O-C(=O)-
-CF2O- -CF ₂ -O-
-OCF2- -O-CF ₂ -
(Ring structure); see below

The properties measured in the following examples and comparative examples are as follows:

(1) Response Speed Under measurement conditions of 20°C, the time (msec) required for the luminance to change when a voltage V90 was applied to a liquid crystal display element (liquid crystal cell) and then turned off was measured. V90 is the applied voltage required to achieve a transmittance of 90, assuming the maximum transmittance of the liquid crystal cell is 100. The transmittance was determined by placing polarizing plates above and below the liquid crystal cell so that the polarization axes were perpendicular in a planar view of the liquid crystal cell, sandwiching the liquid crystal cell between the two polarizing plates, and applying a voltage. The luminance at which the luminance reached its maximum was defined as 100, and the luminance measured with the cell placed without applying a voltage was defined as 0. The response time was the time from when the voltage was turned off until the liquid crystal cell no longer transmitted light (from when the voltage was turned off until the luminance reached 0). Response times slower than 5.5 ms were rated as x, and faster responses were rated as o.

(2) Voltage holding rate (VHR)
The voltage holding ratio (VHR) was measured in a thermostatic chamber at 60°C under frame conditions of 1 V and 0.6 Hz. VHR (initial) represents the VHR value after the prepared liquid crystal cell was sealed, and VHR (post-UV) represents the VHR value after the liquid crystal cell was exposed to a 10,000 candela white pseudo backlight source for 100 hours at 40°C. ΔVHR is the difference between VHR (initial) and VHR (post-UV), and the smaller this value, the more reliable the composition.

[1] Liquid Crystal Compositions Liquid crystal compositions LC1 to LC16 shown in Tables 1 to 4 were prepared.

[2] Polymerizable Compound The following polymerizable compound was prepared.

[3] Examples 1 to 3, Comparative Example 1
Liquid crystal compositions LC1, LC3, LC5, and LC7 were vacuum-injected into empty cells with a gap of 3.5 μm, each of which had a vertical alignment film on the transparent electrode layers of two opposing substrates. An adhesive was applied to the injection port, and the cells were then irradiated with 380 nm ultraviolet light for 10 seconds and sealed to obtain liquid crystal display elements (liquid crystal cells). The VHR (initial), VHR (after UV), ΔVHR, and response time of the resulting liquid crystal cells were measured. The results are shown in Table 5.

All of the liquid crystal compositions of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example 1 contained an alkenyl compound represented by general formula (II), and the response speed of all of the liquid crystal cells using the liquid crystal compositions of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example 1 was rated as good. On the other hand, a comparison between Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example 1 revealed that the liquid crystal cells using the liquid crystal compositions of Examples 1 to 3, which contain a compound in which the group bonded to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton in partial structure A is an alkyl or alkenyl group, had larger VHR (after UV) values and smaller ΔVHR values, suggesting that degradation due to UV exposure is suppressed, compared to the liquid crystal cell using the liquid crystal composition of Comparative Example 1, which contains a compound in which the group bonded to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton is an alkoxy group.

[4] Examples 4 to 9, Comparative Examples 2 to 3
Polymerizable liquid crystal compositions were prepared by blending liquid crystal compositions LC1 to LC8 and a polymerizable compound (P-1-2-1) in the blending ratios shown in Tables 6 to 7, respectively. The resulting polymerizable liquid crystal compositions were vacuum-injected into the empty cells used in Example 1, and after applying an adhesive to the injection port, the cells were irradiated with 380 nm ultraviolet light for 10 seconds and sealed to obtain liquid crystal display elements (liquid crystal cells). The VHR (initial), VHR (after UV), ΔVHR, and response speed of the resulting liquid crystal cells were measured. The results are shown in Tables 6 to 7.

The results of Examples 4 to 9 and Comparative Examples 2 to 3 suggest that liquid crystal cells using the polymerizable liquid crystal compositions of Examples 4 to 9, which contain solely a compound in which the group bonding to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton in the partial structure A is an alkyl group or an alkenyl group, exhibited larger VHR (after UV) values and smaller ΔVHR values, suggesting that degradation due to UV irradiation was suppressed, compared to liquid crystal cells using the polymerizable liquid crystal compositions of Comparative Examples 2 to 3, which contain solely a compound in which the group bonding to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton in the partial structure A is an alkoxy group. Furthermore, the liquid crystal cells using the polymerizable liquid crystal compositions of Examples 4 to 9, which contain an alkenyl compound represented by general formula (II) (e.g., 3-Cy-Cy-V), exhibited a response speed of ◯, while the liquid crystal cell using the polymerizable liquid crystal composition of Comparative Example 3, which did not contain an alkenyl compound, exhibited a response speed of ×. Therefore, it was suggested that the polymerizable liquid crystal compositions of Examples 4 to 9, which contain a compound represented by general formula (I) and a compound represented by general formula (II), can achieve high-speed response and also have high reliability against UV irradiation.

[5] Examples 10 to 20, Comparative Examples 2 to 7
Polymerizable liquid crystal compositions were prepared by blending liquid crystal compositions LC1 to LC11 with polymerizable compounds (P-1-2-1), (P-1-2-1), (P-1-10-1), and (P-2-13-1) in the blending ratios shown in Tables 8 to 10, respectively. The resulting polymerizable liquid crystal compositions were vacuum-injected into the empty cells used in Example 1, and after applying an adhesive to the injection port, the cells were irradiated with 380 nm ultraviolet light for 10 seconds and sealed to obtain liquid crystal display elements (liquid crystal cells). The VHR (initial), VHR (after UV), ΔVHR, and response speed of the resulting liquid crystal cells were measured. The results are shown in Tables 8 to 10.

The results of Examples 10 to 20 and Comparative Examples 4 to 7 demonstrate that the effects of the present invention are achieved even when different types of polymerizable compounds are used. Furthermore, the results also demonstrate that the effects of the present invention are achieved even when two or more types of polymerizable compounds are included.

When the liquid crystal composition contained only a compound in which the group bonded to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton in partial structure A was an alkoxy group (Comparative Example 2), the VHR (after UV) value was small and the ΔVHR value was large. On the other hand, when the liquid crystal composition contained both a compound in which the group bonded to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton in partial structure A was an alkoxy group and a compound in which the group bonded to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton in partial structure A was an alkyl or alkenyl group (Example 16), the decrease in the VHR (after UV) value was suppressed, suggesting a small ΔVHR value.

[6] Examples 21-22, Comparative Example 8
Liquid crystal compositions LC12, LC13, and LC14 were each vacuum-injected into the empty cell used in Example 1. An adhesive was applied to the injection port, and the cell was then irradiated with 380 nm ultraviolet light for 10 seconds and sealed to obtain a liquid crystal display element (liquid crystal cell). The VHR (initial), VHR (after UV), ΔVHR, and response time of the obtained liquid crystal cell were measured. The results are shown in Table 11.

The liquid crystal compositions of Examples 21-22 and Comparative Example 8 all contained an alkenyl compound represented by general formula (II), and the liquid crystal cells using the liquid crystal compositions of Examples 21-22 and Comparative Example 8 all had a response speed of 0. On the other hand, comparison with Examples 21-22 and Comparative Example 8 suggests that the liquid crystal cells using the liquid crystal compositions of Examples 21-22, which contain compounds in which the group bonded to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton in partial structure A is an alkyl group or alkenyl group (specifically, "3-Ph-Ph-1O-Ph5-2" and "3-Ph-1O-Ph5-3"), had larger VHR (after UV) values and smaller ΔVHR values, and were less susceptible to degradation due to UV exposure, compared to the liquid crystal cell using the liquid crystal composition of Comparative Example 8, which contains compounds in which the group bonded to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton in partial structure A is an alkoxy group (specifically, "3-Ph-Ph-1O-Ph5-O2" and "3-Ph-1O-Ph5-O2").

[7] Examples 23 to 31, Comparative Examples 9 to 14
Polymerizable liquid crystal compositions were prepared by blending liquid crystal compositions LC12 to LC15 with polymerizable compounds (P-1-2-1), (P-1-2-1), (P-1-10-1), and (P-2-13-1) in the blending ratios shown in Tables 12 to 16, respectively. The resulting polymerizable liquid crystal compositions were vacuum-injected into the empty cells used in Example 1, and after applying an adhesive to the injection port, the cells were irradiated with 380 nm ultraviolet light for 10 seconds and sealed to obtain liquid crystal display elements (liquid crystal cells). The VHR (initial), VHR (after UV), ΔVHR, and response speed of the resulting liquid crystal cells were measured. The results are shown in Tables 12 to 16.

The results of Examples 23 to 31 and Comparative Examples 9 to 14 demonstrate that the effects of the present invention are achieved even when different types of polymerizable compounds are used. Furthermore, they demonstrate that the effects of the present invention are achieved even when two or more types of polymerizable compounds are included.

In Example 29, the liquid crystal composition contains both "3-Ph-1O-Ph5-O2" and "3-Ph-Ph-1O-Ph5-2," while in Comparative Example 14, the liquid crystal composition contains both "3-Ph-Ph-1O-Ph5-O2" and "3-Ph-1O-Ph5-O2." In Example 29, the decrease in VHR (after UV) was suppressed compared to Comparative Example 14, and the ΔVHR value was smaller. This suggests that even when a compound in which the group bonded to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton in partial structure A is an alkoxy group is included, the ΔVHR value is reduced and degradation due to UV exposure is suppressed by using it in combination with a compound in which the group bonded to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton in partial structure A is an alkyl or alkenyl group.

[8] Liquid Crystal Compositions Furthermore, liquid crystal compositions LC17 to LC22 shown in Table 17 were prepared.

[9] Examples 32 to 34, Comparative Examples 15 to 17
Polymerizable liquid crystal compositions were prepared by blending liquid crystal compositions LC17 to LC22 with polymerizable compounds (P-1-2-1) and (P-1-1-1) in the blending ratios shown in Table 18. The resulting polymerizable liquid crystal compositions were vacuum-injected into the empty cells used in Example 1, and after applying an adhesive to the injection port, the cells were irradiated with 380 nm ultraviolet light for 10 seconds and sealed to obtain liquid crystal display elements (liquid crystal cells). The VHR (initial), VHR (after UV), ΔVHR, and response speed of the resulting liquid crystal cells were measured. The results are shown in Table 18.

All of the liquid crystal compositions of Examples 32 to 34 and Comparative Examples 15 to 17 contained an alkenyl compound represented by general formula (II), and the response speed of all of the liquid crystal cells using the liquid crystal compositions of Examples 32 to 34 and Comparative Examples 15 to 17 was rated as good. On the other hand, a comparison between Examples 32 to 34 and Comparative Examples 15 to 17 indicates that the liquid crystal cells using the liquid crystal compositions of Examples 32 to 34, which contain compounds in which the group bonded to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton in partial structure A is an alkyl or alkenyl group, had larger VHR (after UV) values and smaller ΔVHR values, suggesting that degradation due to UV exposure is suppressed, compared to the liquid crystal cells using the liquid crystal compositions of Comparative Examples 15 to 17, which contain compounds in which the group bonded to the 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene skeleton in partial structure A is an alkoxy group.

Claims (6)

General formula (I):
(In the formula, R ^Ia represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may each independently be replaced by —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO— or —OCO—, as long as no oxygen atoms are adjacent to each other.)
R ^Ib represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.
A ^Ia is (a) a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (one —CH ₂ — or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in this group may be replaced by —O— as long as the oxygen atoms are not adjacent), and (b) a 1,4-phenylene group (one or two or more non-adjacent —CH= groups in this group may be replaced by —N=).
The groups (a) and (b) may each independently be substituted with a cyano group or a fluorine atom.
n ^Ia represents 1 or 2.
When n ^Ia represents 2, multiple A ^Ia may be the same or different.
and one or more compounds represented by the formula:
General formula (II):
(In the formula, R ^II1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may each independently be replaced by —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO— or —OCO—, as long as the oxygen atoms are not adjacent to each other.)
R ^II2 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may each independently be replaced by —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO—, or —OCO—, as long as no oxygen atoms are adjacent to each other, and one or two or more hydrogen atoms in the alkyl group may be replaced by a halogen atom.
However, at least one of R ^II1 and R ^II2 represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms.
A ^II1 and A ^II2 each independently represent (a) a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (in which one —CH ₂ — or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups may be replaced with —O— as long as the oxygen atoms are not adjacent), and (b) a 1,4-phenylene group (in which one —CH= or two or more non-adjacent —CH= groups may be replaced with —N=).
(c) a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, or a decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group (in which one or more —CH= groups may be replaced by —N=).
The groups (a), (b) and (c) may each independently be substituted with a cyano group or a halogen atom.
Z ^II1 represents a single bond, —CH ₂ CH ₂ —, —(CH ₂ ) ₄ —, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCF ₂ —, —CF ₂ O—, —CH═N—N═CH—, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C—.
m ^II1 represents 1, 2, 3 or 4.
When m ^II1 represents 2, 3 or 4, a plurality of A ^II1's and Z ^II1's may be the same or different.
However, compounds represented by general formula (I) are excluded.
and one or more compounds represented by the formula:
Further, the composition contains one or more compounds represented by the following general formula (P):
(In general formula (P), R ^p1 represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, or -Sp ^p2 -P ^p2 , one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ₂ - groups in the alkyl group may be substituted with -CH═CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -COO-, or -OCO- so that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent, and one or two or more hydrogen atoms in the alkyl group may each independently be substituted with a cyano group, a fluorine atom, or a chlorine atom.)
P ^p1 and P ^p2 each independently represent a polymerizable group.
Sp ^p1 and Sp ^p2 each independently represent a spacer group.
Z ^p1 and Z ^p2 each independently represent a single bond, —O—, —S—, —CH 2 —, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —CO—, —C ₂ H ₄ —, —COO—, —OCO— _, —OCOOCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ OCOO—, —OCH ₂ CH ₂ O—, —CO—NR ^ZP1 —, —NR ^ZP1 —CO—, —SCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ S—, —CH═CR ^ZP1 —COO—, —CH═CR ZP1 —OCO—, —COO-CR ZP1 ═CH—, —OCO-CR ^ZP1 ═CH—, —COO-CR ^ZP1 ═CH—COO—, —COO-CR ^{ZP1 ═CH} —COO—, —COO-CR ^ZP1 ═CH—OCO—, —OCO—CR ^ZP1 ═CH—COO—, —OCO—CR ^ZP1 ═CH—OCO—, —(CH ₂ ) ₂ —COO— _, —(CH 2 ) ₂ —OCO—, —OCO—(CH ₂ ) ₂ —, —(C═O)—O—(CH ₂ ) ₂ —, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF—, —CF═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF 2 —, —CF ₂ O—, —OCF ₂ —, —CF ₂ CH ₂ —, —CH ₂ CF ₂ —, —CF ₂ CF ₂ —, or —C≡C— (wherein R ^ZP1 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, but if _R When a plurality of ^ZP1s are present, they may be the same or different.
A ^p1 , A ^p2 , and A ^p3 each independently represent
(a ^p ) a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (one or more —CH ₂ — groups in the group may be replaced by —O— as long as no oxygen atom is adjacent to them).
(b ^p ) a 1,4-phenylene group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N=), and (c ^p ) a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a naphthalene-1,4-diyl group, a naphthalene-1,5-diyl group, a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a phenanthrene-2,7-diyl group, or an anthracene-2,6-diyl group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N=).
and one or more hydrogen atoms present in the groups (a ^p ), (b ^p ), and (c ^p ) may each independently be substituted with a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a fluorine atom, or -Sp ^p2 -P ^p2 , and one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ₂ - groups in the alkyl group may each independently be substituted with -CH═CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -COO-, or -OCO- so that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent to each other.
Furthermore, when m ^p1 is 0 and A ^p1 is a group represented by the group (c ^p ), A ^p3 may be a single bond.
m ^p1 represents 0, 1, 2 or 3.
When a plurality of Z ^p1 , A ^p2 , Sp ^p2 and/or P ^p2 are present in a molecule, they may be the same or different.
The compound represented by the general formula (P) is a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following general formula (RM) and/or the following general formula (i):
(In general formula (RM), R ¹⁰¹ , R ¹⁰² , R ¹⁰³ , R ¹⁰⁴ , R ¹⁰⁵ , R ¹⁰⁶ , R ¹⁰⁷ and R ¹⁰⁸ each independently represent P ¹³ —S ¹³ —, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a fluorine atom, an alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a fluorine atom, a fluorine atom or a hydrogen atom;
P ¹¹ , P ¹² and P ¹³ each independently represent a polymerizable group;
S ¹¹ , S ¹² and S ¹³ each independently represent a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, in which one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups may be substituted with —O—, —OCO— or —COO— so that oxygen atoms are not directly bonded;
When a plurality of P ¹³ and a plurality of S ¹³ are present, the plurality of P ¹³ and the plurality of S ¹³ may be the same or different.
(In general formula (i), P ⁱ¹ and P ⁱ² each independently represent a polymerizable group.
S ⁱ¹ and S ⁱ² each independently represent a spacer group.
Z ⁱ¹ and Z ⁱ² each independently represent a single bond, —O—, —S—, —CH 2 —, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —CO—, —C ₂ H ₄ —, —COO—, —OCO— _, —OCOOCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ OCOO—, —OCH ₂ CH ₂ O—, —CO—NR ^ZP1 —, —NR ^ZP1 —CO—, —SCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ S—, —CH═CR ^ZP1 —COO—, —CH═CR ZP1 —OCO—, —COO-CR ZP1 ═CH—, —OCO-CR ^ZP1 ═CH—, —COO-CR ^ZP1 ═CH—COO—, —COO-CR ^{ZP1 ═CH} —COO—, —COO-CR ^ZP1 ═CH—OCO—, —OCO—CR ^ZP1 ═CH—COO—, —OCO—CR ^ZP1 ═CH—OCO—, —(CH ₂ ) ₂ —COO— _, —(CH 2 ) ₂ —OCO—, —OCO—(CH ₂ ) ₂ —, —(C═O)—O—(CH ₂ ) ₂ —, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF—, —CF═CH—, —CH═CF—, —CF 2 —, —CF ₂ O—, —OCF ₂ —, —CF ₂ CH ₂ —, —CH ₂ CF ₂ —, —CF ₂ CF ₂ —, or —C≡C— (wherein R ^ZP1 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, but if _R When a plurality of ^ZP1s are present, they may be the same or different.
A ⁱ¹ , A ⁱ² , A ⁱ³ and A ⁱ⁴ each independently represent
(a ^p ) a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (one or more —CH ₂ — groups in the group may be replaced by —O— as long as no oxygen atom is adjacent to them).
(b ^p ) a 1,4-phenylene group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N=), and (c ^p ) a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a naphthalene-1,4-diyl group, a naphthalene-1,5-diyl group, a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a phenanthrene-2,7-diyl group, or an anthracene-2,6-diyl group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N=).
and one or more hydrogen atoms present in the groups (a ^p ), (b ^p ), and (c ^p ) may each independently be substituted with a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may be substituted with a fluorine atom, or -Sp ^p2 -P ^p2 , and one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ₂ - groups in the alkyl group may each independently be substituted with -CH═CH-, -C≡C-, -O-, -CO-, -COO-, or -OCO- so that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent to each other.
R ⁱ¹ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a fluorine atom, or a hydrogen atom;
n ⁱ¹ and n ⁱ² each independently represent 0, 1, 2 or 3, provided that n ⁱ¹ +n ⁱ² represents 0, 1, 2 or 3.
When a plurality of A ⁱ¹ , A ⁱ⁴ , Z ⁱ¹ and Z ⁱ² are present in a molecule, they may be the same or different.
The compound represented by the general formula (I) is a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following general formulae (I-1-1), (I-1-2), and/or (I-2-1) and (I-2-2):
the content of the compound represented by the general formula (I) is within a range of 7% by mass to 25% by mass in the total amount of the liquid crystal composition,
The compound represented by the general formula (II) contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following general formula (II-NU-01A ₁ ):
(In the formula, Alkyl represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.)
The liquid crystal composition further contains one or more compounds represented by the following general formula (N-1):
(In the formula, R ^N11 and R ^N12 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may each independently be replaced by —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO— or —OCO—, as long as no oxygen atoms are adjacent to each other;
A ^N11 and A ^N12 each independently represent (a) a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (in which one —CH ₂ — or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups may be replaced by —O— as long as the oxygen atoms are not adjacent to each other).
(b) a 1,4-phenylene group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N= groups), and (c) a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, or a decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N= groups).
wherein the groups (a), (b) and (c) may each independently be substituted with a cyano group or a halogen atom;
Z ^N11 and Z ^N12 each independently represent a single bond, —CH ₂ CH ₂ —, —(CH ₂ ) ₄ —, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCF ₂ —, —CF ₂ O—, —CH═N—N═CH—, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C—;
n ^N11 and n ^N12 each independently represent an integer of 0, 1, 2 or 3;
n ^N11 +n ^N12 represents 1, 2 or 3;
When a plurality of A ^N11 and A ^N12 are present, they may be the same or different;
When a plurality of Z ^N11 and a plurality of Z ^N12 are present, they may be the same or different.
However, in general formula (N-1), compounds represented by general formula (I) and general formula (II) are excluded.) The compounds represented by the general formula (II) include compounds represented by the following general formulae (II-NU-01), (II-NU-02), (II-NU-03), (II-NU-04), (II-NU-05) and (II-NU-06):
(In the above formulas, R ^IINU11 and R ^IINU12 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may each independently be substituted with —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO— or —OCO—, as long as no oxygen atoms are adjacent to each other, and one or two or more hydrogen atoms in the alkyl group may be substituted with a halogen atom.)
In each formula, at least one of R ^IINU11 and R ^IINU12 represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms.
2. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, comprising one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula: 3. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, further comprising one or more compounds represented by the following general formula (L):
(wherein R ^L1 and R ^L2 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups in the alkyl group may each independently be replaced by —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —O—, —CO—, —COO— or —OCO—, as long as no oxygen atoms are adjacent to each other;
A ^L1 , A ^L2 and A ^L3 each independently represent (a) a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (in which one —CH ₂ — or two or more non-adjacent —CH ₂ — groups may be replaced by —O—, as long as the oxygen atoms are not adjacent to each other).
(b) a 1,4-phenylene group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N= groups), and (c) a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, or a decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group (in which one or more -CH= groups may be replaced by -N= groups).
wherein the groups (a), (b) and (c) may each independently be substituted with a cyano group or a halogen atom;
Z ^L1 and Z ^L2 each independently represent a single bond, —CH ₂ CH ₂ —, —(CH ₂ ) ₄ —, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCF ₂ —, —CF ₂ O—, —CH═N—N═CH—, —CH═CH—, —CF═CF— or —C≡C—;
n ^L1 represents 0, 1, 2 or 3;
When n ^L1 is 2 or 3 and a plurality of A ^L2s are present, the plurality of A ^L2s may be the same or different,
When n ^L1 is 2 or 3 and a plurality of Z ^L3s are present, the plurality of Z ^L3s may be the same or different.
However, compounds represented by general formula (I), general formula (II), general formula (N-1), general formula (N-2) and general formula (N-3) are excluded.) A liquid crystal display element using the liquid crystal composition described in any one of claims 1 to 3. An active matrix driven liquid crystal display element using the liquid crystal composition described in any one of claims 1 to 3. A liquid crystal display element using the liquid crystal composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and driven in a PSA mode, PSVA mode, VA mode, IPS mode, FFS mode, PS-IPS mode, PS-FFS mode, NPS mode, or ECB mode.