阅读说明：本技术 光散射型液晶元件用液晶组合物、光散射型液晶元件、及智能窗户 (Liquid crystal composition for light scattering liquid crystal element, and smart window ) 是由 高岛正直 平田真一 丸山和则 藤泽宣 初阪一辉 中田秀俊 于 2019-07-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种图1所示的光散射型液晶元件用的液晶组合物、使用该液晶组合物的光散射型液晶元件及使用光散射型液晶元件的智能窗户,该液晶组合物含有选自通式(1)所表示的化合物的组中的聚合性化合物作为第一成分,并含有具有负介电常数各向异性的化合物作为第二成分。通过本发明的液晶组合物,在反向模式型的光散射型液晶元件中,未施加电压时的透明性优异,并且可降低驱动电压。(The present invention relates to a liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element shown in fig. 1, which contains a polymerizable compound selected from the group of compounds represented by general formula (1) as a first component and a compound having negative dielectric anisotropy as a second component, a light scattering liquid crystal element using the liquid crystal composition, and a smart window using the light scattering liquid crystal element. The liquid crystal composition of the present invention is excellent in transparency when no voltage is applied to a reverse mode light scattering liquid crystal device, and can reduce the driving voltage.)

1. A liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element, which contains a polymerizable compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the following general formula (1) as a first component and a compound having negative dielectric anisotropy as a second component,

[ solution 1]

In the formula, P¹、P²Each independently represents a polymerizable group,

S¹、S²each independently represents a spacer or a single bond,

in the direction S¹Or S²When the bond of (2) is represented as a left-end bond, X¹、X²Each independently represents-O-, -S-, -OCH₂-、-CO-、-COO-、-OCO-、-CO-S-、-S-CO-、-O-CO-O-、-CO-NH-、-NH-CO-、-SCH₂-、-CF₂O-、-OCF₂-、-CF₂S-、-SCF₂-、-CH＝CH-COO-、-CH＝CH-OCO-、-COO-CH＝CH-、-OCO-CH＝CH-、-COO-CH₂CH₂-、-OCO-CH₂CH₂-、-COO-CH₂-、-OCO-CH₂-, -CH-, -N-, -CH-N-CH-, -CF-, -C.ident.C-or a single bond, wherein each P- (S-X) -bond does not contain-O-,

Z¹represents-O-, -S-, -OCH₂-、-CH₂O-、-CO-、-COO-、-OCO-、-CO-S-、-S-CO-、-O-CO-O-、-CO-NH-、-NH-CO-、-SCH₂-、-CH₂S-、-CF₂O-、-OCF₂-、-CF₂S-、-SCF₂-、-CH＝CH-COO-、-CH＝CH-OCO-、-COO-CH＝CH-、-OCO-CH＝CH-、-COO-R^Z1-、-OCO-R^Z1-、-R^Z1-COO-、-R^Z1-OCO-、-COO-CH₂-、-OCO-CH₂-、-CH₂-COO-、-CH₂-OCO-、-CH＝CH-、-CH₂CH₂-, -N-, -CH-N-CH-, -CF-, -C.ident.C-or a single bond, wherein-R-C-is as defined above^Z1-represents an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, each P- (S-X) -bond does not contain-O-, and Z is present in plural¹In the case of (A), they may be the same or different, respectively, Z¹At least one of which is selected from the group consisting of-COO-R^Z1-、-OCO-R^Z1-、-R^Z1-COO-、-R^Z1-OCO-a group of the group,

A¹、A²each independently represents a group selected from a 2-valent aromatic ring, alicyclic ring, heterocyclic ring and condensed ring, and a plurality of A's are present¹May be the same or different from each other,

n independently represents an integer of 1 to 9.

2. The liquid crystal composition for a light scattering type liquid crystal element according to claim 1, which comprises 1 or 2 or more compounds represented by the general formula (N-1) as the compound having a negative dielectric anisotropy as the second component,

[ solution 2]

In the formula, R^N11And R^N12Each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, 1 of the alkyl groups being non-adjacent and 2 or more-CH₂-is independently substitutable with-CH ═ CH-, -C ≡ C-, -O-, -CO-, -COO-or-OCO-,

A^N11and A^N12Each independently represents a group selected from the group consisting of the following (a) to (d),

(a)1, 4-cyclohexylene radical, 1-CH present in this radical₂-or non-contiguous 2 or more-CH₂-may be substituted by-O-, and

(b)1, 4-phenylene in which 1-CH or not adjacent 2 or more-CH-present may be substituted by-N ═

(c) 1-CH ═ or nonadjacent 2 or more-CH ═ present in naphthalene-2, 6-diyl, 1,2,3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2, 6-diyl, naphthalene-2, 6-diyl or 1,2,3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2, 6-diyl may be substituted with — N ═ in naphthalene-2, 6-diyl, 1,2,3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2, 6-diyl

(d)1, 4-Cyclohexenylene group

The group (a), the group (b), the group (c) and the group (d) may be each independently substituted with a cyano group, a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom,

Z^N11and Z^N12Each independently represents a single bond, -CH₂CH₂-、-(CH₂)₄-、-OCH₂-、-CH₂O-、-COO-、-OCO-、-OCF₂-、-CF₂O-, -CH-N-CH-, -CH-, -CF-or-C ≡ C-,

n^N11and n^N12Each independently represents an integer of 0 to 3, n^N11+n^N12Each independently is 1,2 or 3, in the presence of a plurality of A^N11、A^N12、Z^N11Or Z^N12In the case of (3), they may be the same or different.

3. The liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element according to claim 1, which comprises a polymerizable compound represented by the following general formula (2-ii) or a polymerizable compound represented by the following general formula (3-i) as the third component,

[ solution 3]

In the formula, Pⁱⁱ¹It represents a polymerizable functional group, and it is preferable that,

Rⁱⁱ¹represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, 1 or 2 or more-CH in the alkylene group₂Can be independently substituted by-O-, -CO-, -COO-or-OCO-in such a way that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent to one another, 1 or more than 2 hydrogen atoms present in the alkylene radical can be independently substituted by fluorine atoms,

Rⁱⁱ²and Rⁱⁱ³Respectively independent earth surfaceAn alkyl group having 1 to 21 hydrogen atoms or carbon atoms, 1 or 2 or more-CH groups in the alkyl group₂Can be independently substituted by-O-, -CO-, -COO-or-OCO-in such a way that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent to one another, 1 or more than 2 hydrogen atoms present in the alkyl radical being independently substituted by Pⁱⁱ²Fluorine atom, alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms;

[ solution 4]

In the formula, Y¹And Y²Represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,

X¹represents a linear or branched alkylene group having 6 to 80 carbon atoms, and any carbon atom of the alkylene group may be substituted with-O-, -CH ═ CH-, -CO-, -C.ident.C-, -OCO-, -COO-or OH so that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent to each other.

4. The liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element according to claim 3, wherein a content ratio of the first component to a total mass of the first component and the second component is 2 to 20% by mass.

5. A light-scattering liquid crystal element, which is obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable compound of the liquid crystal composition for a light-scattering liquid crystal element according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to form a polymer network.

6. A smart window using the light scattering type liquid crystal element according to claim 5.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element, a light scattering liquid crystal element using the same, and a smart window.

Background

In recent years, with diversification and high performance of display applications, realization of a transparent display, a liquid crystal display with a high contrast ratio, a light control element with a shutter function capable of performing light control of a desired degree of transmission-scattering, and the like has been expected, and development of light control materials for realizing these has become an important issue.

A light scattering type liquid crystal display device using polymer network type liquid crystal as a material for a transmission-scattering type light control device among light control materials is a liquid crystal device system as follows: in the device, the liquid crystal and the polymer are separated from each other, and a polymer network is formed by the polymer. Since the light scattering liquid crystal display device is a display system utilizing a contrast ratio between a transparent state and a white-turbid state, an optical film such as a polarizing plate is not required. Therefore, compared to TN, STN, IPS, or VA mode liquid crystal display devices using polarizing plates, the liquid crystal display devices have an advantage of realizing bright display, and are applied to optical shutter applications such as light control glasses and segment display applications such as watches because of their simple structure. In addition, in order to realize high-definition display, the display device is combined with an active drive display element, and application to a projector application, a reflective display application, and the like is also studied.

In recent years, liquid crystal display devices of designs that have not been conventionally developed, such as transmission displays and flexible displays, have been developed for practical use. As a liquid crystal element expected to be applied to these devices, for example, a so-called reverse mode type (reverse mode type) liquid crystal element which is in a transparent state when no voltage is applied and in a scattering state when a voltage is applied as described in patent document 1 and patent document 2 can be cited. These reverse mode light scattering liquid crystal elements have an advantage of being excellent in transparency in a transparent state, compared with so-called normal mode light scattering liquid crystal display elements (that is, old-fashioned light scattering liquid crystal elements that use a liquid crystal material having positive dielectric anisotropy, and that are in a scattering state when no voltage is applied and in a transparent state when a voltage is applied).

However, when designing a reverse mode light scattering liquid crystal device, it is necessary to highly align liquid crystal molecules in the device and mesogenic groups in the polymer network in substantially the same direction in a state where no voltage is applied. If the alignment is insufficient when no voltage is applied, local light scattering tends to occur at the interface between the liquid crystal composition and the polymer network and between domains (domains) of the liquid crystal, and thus white turbidity tends to remain in the transparent state of the liquid crystal cell. For applications requiring high transparency, such as new-generation displays, it is required to suppress such white turbidity at a high level.

On the other hand, since the liquid crystal molecules in the element receive a strong anchoring force (anchoring force) due to the orientation with the mesogenic groups in the polymer network, it is difficult to drive the liquid crystal molecules as compared with a general liquid crystal element, and it is difficult to obtain a practical driving voltage.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 5-119302

Patent document 2: japanese patent No. 5017963

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a light scattering liquid crystal element of a reverse mode type which has excellent transparency when no voltage is applied and which has a reduced driving voltage.

Means for solving the problems

As a result of extensive and intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have found that it is important to use a specific polymerizable compound in a liquid crystal composition for a reverse mode light scattering liquid crystal device, and have completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention relates to a liquid crystal composition for a light scattering type liquid crystal element, which contains a polymerizable compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the following general formula (1) as a first component and a compound having negative dielectric anisotropy as a second component.

[ solution 1]

(in the formula, P¹、P²Each independently represents a polymerizable group,

S¹、S²each independently represents a spacer or a single bond,

in the direction S¹Or S²When the bond of (2) is represented as a left-end bond, X¹、X²Each independently represents-O-, -S-, -OCH₂-、-CO-、-COO-、-OCO-、-CO-S-、-S-CO-、-O-CO-O-、-CO-NH-、-NH-CO-、-SCH₂-、-CF₂O-、-OCF₂-、-CF₂S-、-SCF₂-、-CH＝CH-COO-、-CH＝CH-OCO-、-COO-CH＝CH-、-OCO-CH＝CH-、-COO-CH₂CH₂-、-OCO-CH₂CH₂-、-COO-CH₂-、-OCO-CH₂-, -CH-, -N-, -CH-N-CH-, -CF-, -C.ident.C-or a single bond (wherein each P- (S-X) -bond does not contain-O-),

Z¹represents-O-, -S-, -OCH₂-、-CH₂O-、-CO-、-COO-、-OCO-、-CO-S-、-S-CO-、-O-CO-O-、-CO-NH-、-NH-CO-、-SCH₂-、-CH₂S-、-CF₂O-、-OCF₂-、-CF₂S-、-SCF₂-、-CH＝CH-COO-、-CH＝CH-OCO-、-COO-CH＝CH-、-OCO-CH＝CH-、-COO-R^Z1-、-OCO-R^Z1-、-R^Z1-COO-、-R^Z1-OCO-、-COO-CH₂-、-OCO-CH₂-、-CH₂-COO-、-CH₂-OCO-、-CH＝CH-、-CH₂CH₂-, -N-, -CH-N-CH-, -CF-, -C.ident.C-or a single bond (wherein-R-N-CH-, -CF-C-or-C ≡ C-)^Z1-represents an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, each P- (S-X) -bond does not contain-O-), and a plurality of Z' S are present¹In the case of (A), they may be the same or different, respectively, Z¹At least one of which is selected from the group consisting of-COO-R^Z1-、-OCO-R^Z1-、-R^Z1-COO-and-R^Z1-OCO-a group of the group,

A¹、A²each independently represents a group selected from 2-valent aromatic ring, alicyclic ring and hetero ringRings and condensed ring radicals, in which a plurality of A are present¹May be the same or different from each other,

n independently represents an integer of 1 to 9)

The present invention further relates to a light scattering liquid crystal device, which is obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable compound of the light scattering liquid crystal composition to form a polymer network.

The present invention further relates to a smart window using the above light scattering type liquid crystal element.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, in the reverse mode light scattering liquid crystal element, transparency is excellent when no voltage is applied, and the driving voltage can be reduced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the structure of a liquid crystal element according to the present invention, in which no voltage is applied.

Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a voltage is applied in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view obtained from the perspective view 2 of a direction perpendicular with respect to the transparent substrate.

Detailed Description

As described above, the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention includes the polymerizable compound as the first component and the compound having negative dielectric anisotropy as the second component as essential components.

(first component: polymerizable Compound)

The liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention first contains a polymerizable compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the following general formula (1) as a first component.

[ solution 2]

(in the formula, P¹、P²Each independently represents a polymerizable group,

S¹、S²each independently represents a spacer or a single bond,

X¹、X²each independently represents-O-, -S-, -OCH₂-、-CH₂O-、-CO-、-COO-、-OCO-、-CO-S-、-S-CO-、-O-CO-O-、-CO-NH-、-NH-CO-、-SCH₂-、-CH₂S-、-CF₂O-、-OCF₂-、-CF₂S-、-SCF₂-、-CH＝CH-COO-、-CH＝CH-OCO-、-COO-CH＝CH-、-OCO-CH＝CH-、-COO-(CH₂CH₂)_m-、-OCO-(CH₂CH₂)_m-、-(CH₂CH₂)_m-COO-、-(CH₂CH₂)_m-OCO-、-COO-CH₂-、-OCO-CH₂-、-CH₂-COO-、-CH₂-OCO-、-CH＝CH-、-CH₂CH₂-, -N-, -CH-N-CH-, -CF-, -C.ident.C-or a single bond (wherein each P- (S-X) -bond does not contain-O-),

Z¹represents-O-, -S-, -OCH₂-、-CH₂O-、-CO-、-COO-、-OCO-、-CO-S-、-S-CO-、-O-CO-O-、-CO-NH-、-NH-CO-、-SCH₂-、-CH₂S-、-CF₂O-、-OCF₂-、-CF₂S-、-SCF₂-、-CH＝CH-COO-、-CH＝CH-OCO-、-COO-CH＝CH-、-OCO-CH＝CH-、-COO-R^Z1-、-OCO-R^Z1-、-R^Z1-COO-、-R^Z1-OCO-、-COO-CH₂-、-OCO-CH₂-、-CH₂-COO-、-CH₂-OCO-、-CH＝CH-、-CH₂CH₂-, -N-, -CH-N-CH-, -CF-, -C.ident.C-or a single bond (wherein-R-N-CH-, -CF-C-or-C ≡ C-)^Z1-represents an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, each P- (S-X) -bond does not contain-O-), and a plurality of Z' S are present¹In the case of (A), they may be the same or different, respectively, Z¹At least one of which is selected from the group consisting of-COO-R^Z1-、-OCO-R^Z1-、-R^Z1-COO-and-R^Z1-OCO-a group of the group,

A¹、A²each independently represents a group selected from a 2-valent aromatic ring, alicyclic ring, heterocyclic ring and condensed ring, and a plurality of A's are present¹May be the same or different from each other,

n and m each independently represent an integer of 1 to 9)

Here, in the above general formula (1), P¹、P²The polymerizable group represented by the formula (P-1) to (P-20) is preferable,

[ solution 3]

Among these polymerizable groups, from the viewpoint of improving polymerizability and storage stability, preferred is the formula (P-1), the formula (P-2), the formula (P-7), the formula (P-12) or the formula (P-13), more preferred is the formula (P-1), the formula (P-2), the formula (P-7), and particularly preferred is the formula (P-1) and the formula (P-2).

In the above general formula (1), S¹、S²Each independently represents a single bond or a spacer, and is preferably an alkylene group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, from the viewpoint of particularly easily exhibiting liquid crystallinity and lowering the driving voltage. The alkylene group is preferably a linear alkylene group or a branched alkylene group, and the hydrogen atom in the alkylene group may be substituted with 1 or more halogen atoms, CN groups, or alkyl groups having 1 to 8 carbon atoms and having the above-mentioned polymerizable group. 1 CH present in the alkylene radical₂Radical or noncontiguous more than 2 CH₂The radicals may each, independently of one another, be-O-, -S-, -NH-, -N (CH) in such a way that oxygen atoms are not bonded directly to one another₃) -, -CO-, -CH (OH) -, CH (COOH), -COO-, -OCO-, -OCOO-, -SCO-, -COS-or-C.ident.C-substitution.

Among these spacers, from the viewpoint of exhibiting liquid crystallinity, a linear alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with a fluorine atom, and an alkylene group having 4 to 14 carbon atoms in which a part of the alkylene group is substituted with-O-.

In the above general formula (1), X¹、X²The radicals represented are each independently-O-, -S-, -OCH₂-、-CH₂O-、-CO-、-COO-、-OCO-、-CO-S-、-S-CO-、-O-CO-O-、-CO-NH-、-NH-CO-、-SCH₂-、-CH₂S-、-CF₂O-、-OCF₂-、-CF₂S-、-SCF₂-、-CH＝CH-COO-、-CH＝CH-OCO-、-COO-CH＝CH-、-OCO-CH＝CH-、-COO-(CH₂CH₂)_m-、-OCO-(CH₂CH₂)_m-、-(CH₂CH₂)_m-COO-、-(CH₂CH₂)_m-OCO-、-COO-CH₂-、-OCO-CH₂-、-CH₂-COO-、-CH₂-OCO-、-CH＝CH-、-CH₂CH₂-, -N ═ N-, -CH ═ N ═ CH-, -CF ═ CF-, -C ≡ C-, or a single bond, and among them, preferred is a group selected from the group consisting of a single bond, -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, and-OCO-. m independently represents an integer of 1 to 9.

Wherein, in the general formula (1), each P- (S-X) -bond does not contain a-O-bond.

In the above general formula (1), Z¹The radicals represented are-O-, -S-, -OCH₂-、-CH₂O-、-CO-、-COO-、-OCO-、-CO-S-、-S-CO-、-O-CO-O-、-CO-NH-、-NH-CO-、-SCH₂-、-CH₂S-、-CF₂O-、-OCF₂-、-CF₂S-、-SCF₂-、-CH＝CH-COO-、-CH＝CH-OCO-、-COO-CH＝CH-、-OCO-CH＝CH-、-COO-R^Z1-、-OCO-R^Z1-、-R^Z1-COO-、-R^Z1-OCO-、-COO-CH₂-、-OCO-CH₂-、-CH₂-COO-、-CH₂-OCO-、-CH＝CH-、-CH₂CH₂-, -N-, -CH-N-CH-, -CF-, -C.ident.C-or a single bond (wherein-R-N-CH-, -CF-C-or-C ≡ C-)^Z1-represents an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and each P- (S-X) -bond does not contain-O-).

In the presence of a plurality of Z¹In the case of (3), they may be the same or different, respectively, Z¹At least one of which is selected from the group consisting of-COO-R^Z1-、-OCO-R^Z1-、-R^Z1-COO-and-R^Z1-OCO-a group of the group.

In the present invention, the compound has a structure selected from the group consisting of-COO-R^Z1-、-OCO-R^Z1-、-R^Z1-COO-and-R^Z1-OCO-as Z¹Therefore, the driving voltage can be reduced while maintaining the transparency in the absence of voltage application in a good state. For the group consisting of-COO-R^Z1-、-OCO-R^Z1-、-R^Z1-COO-and-R^Z1The group of-OCO-may be one or more groups in the general formula (1), and particularly preferably only one group in the compound represented by the general formula (1), and particularly preferably n is 2 to 4, and one group Z is 2 to 4, in order to align a liquid crystal compound well, exhibit excellent transparency when no voltage is applied, and further reduce a driving voltage¹Is selected from the group consisting of-COO-R^Z1-、-OCO-R^Z1-、-R^Z1-COO-and-R^Z1-OCO-group of the group, other Z¹Is a single bond. In terms of the balance of the transparency and the driving voltage, -R^Z1-is preferably-CH₂CH₂-。

In the above general formula (1), A¹、A²Each independently represents a group selected from a 2-valent aromatic ring, alicyclic ring, heterocyclic ring, and condensed ring, and specifically, a group selected from the following (a) to (c) is preferable. In addition, there are a plurality of A¹In the case of (3), they may be the same or different.

(a) Trans-1, 4-cyclohexylene (1 methylene group or 2 or more non-adjacent methylene groups present in the group may be substituted by-O-or-S-)

(b) Phenylene (in which 1 or 2 or more-CH groups present may be substituted by nitrogen atoms)

(c) Cyclohexenylene, bicyclo (2.2.2) octylene, piperidinyl, naphthyl, decahydronaphthyl and tetrahydronaphthyl

(1 or 2 or more hydrogen atoms present in the groups of the group (a), the group (b) and the group (c) may be independently substituted with a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a halogenated alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.)

Among them, the group (a) and the group (b) are preferable, and the group (a) is particularly preferable as an essential structure, in terms of easily exhibiting liquid crystallinity.

In the general formula (1), n represents an integer of 1 to 9, n is preferably 1 to 5, n is more preferably 2 to 5, and n is particularly preferably 2 to 4.

More specifically, the compounds represented by the general formula (1) include compounds represented by the following formulae (1-1) to (1-24).

[ solution 4]

[ solution 5]

[ solution 6]

[ solution 7]

[ solution 8]

[ solution 9]

Among the compounds represented by the above general formulae (1-1) to (1-24), the compounds represented by the general formulae (1-1) to (1-20) are preferable for exhibiting liquid crystallinity, the compounds represented by the general formulae (1-1) to (1-12) are more preferable for exhibiting liquid crystallinity and reduction in voltage, and the compounds represented by the general formulae (1-1) to (1-4) are particularly preferable for exhibiting characteristics of liquid crystallinity, reduction in voltage, contrast, and haze.

The content of the polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (1) in 100% by mass of the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention is preferably 2% by mass or more, more preferably 3% by mass or more, even more preferably 4% by mass or more, and particularly preferably 5% by mass or more, from the viewpoint of forming a polymer network in the obtained liquid crystal element, and the upper limit is preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 15% by mass or less, even more preferably 12% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 10% by mass or less, from the viewpoint of reducing the driving voltage of the obtained liquid crystal element. The polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (1) described in detail above may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds as the first component.

(third component polymerizable Compound)

In the present invention, as the polymerizable component, in addition to the first component, a third component may be used in accordance with the target performance.

In this case, the total mass of the first component and the third component in 100% by mass of the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention is preferably 2% by mass or more, more preferably 3% by mass or more, even more preferably 4% by mass or more, and particularly preferably 5% by mass or more, from the viewpoint of forming a polymer network, and on the other hand, is preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 15% by mass or less, even more preferably 12% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 10% by mass or less from the viewpoint of the driving voltage and light scattering property of the liquid crystal element.

In addition, the ratio of the first component to the total mass of the first component and the third component is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 15% by mass or more, even more preferably 20% by mass or more, even more preferably 25% by mass or more, and particularly preferably 40% by mass or more, in terms of improving the light scattering property in the reverse mode and reducing the driving voltage, more preferably 95% by mass or less, even more preferably 90% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 85% by mass or less, in terms of improving the transparency when no voltage is applied and further improving the contrast.

Specifically, the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention preferably uses a polymerizable compound represented by the following general formula (2-ii) as the third component in terms of reduction of the driving voltage.

[ solution 10]

In the formula, Pⁱⁱ¹Represents a polymerizable functional group, specifically a polymerizable group, preferably a polymerizable group selected from the following formulae (P-1) to (P-20),

[ solution 11]

Among these polymerizable groups, from the viewpoint of improving polymerizability and storage stability, preferred is the formula (P-1), the formula (P-2), the formula (P-7), the formula (P-12) or the formula (P-13), and more preferred is the formula (P-1), the formula (P-7) or the formula (P-12).

Rⁱⁱ¹Represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, 1 or 2 or more-CH in the alkylene group₂Can be independently substituted by-O-, -CO-, -COO-or-OCO-in such a manner that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent to each other, and 1 or 2 or more hydrogen atoms present in the alkylene group can be independently substituted by fluorine atoms.

Rⁱⁱ¹Preferably an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkylene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

In the general formula (2-ii), Rⁱⁱ²And Rⁱⁱ³Each independently preferably represents 1 or 2 or more non-adjacent-CH₂-may be substituted by-O-, 1 or more than 2 hydrogen atoms may each independently be replaced by Pⁱⁱ²A substituted alkyl group having 1 to 21 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 or 2 or more hydrogen atoms each independently represented by Pⁱⁱ²Number of substituted carbon atoms3 to 16 alkyl groups, more preferably 1 or 2 or more hydrogen atoms, each independently of the others, are substituted with Pⁱⁱ²The substituted alkyl group having 5 to 14 carbon atoms is preferably an alkyl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms in view of suppressing crystallinity. Here, Pⁱⁱ²Represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

In addition, Rⁱⁱ²And Rⁱⁱ³Each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 21 carbon atoms, and 1 or 2 or more-CH in the alkyl group₂Can be independently substituted by-O-, -CO-, -COO-or-OCO-in such a way that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent to one another, 1 or more than 2 hydrogen atoms present in the alkyl radical being independently substituted by Pⁱⁱ²Fluorine atom, alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

In the general formula (2-ii), Rⁱⁱ¹、Rⁱⁱ²And Rⁱⁱ³The total number of carbon atoms contained in each of the groups is preferably 3 to 30, more preferably 4 to 28, still more preferably 5 to 26, yet more preferably 6 to 24, and particularly preferably 12 to 24.

Examples of the compound represented by the general formula (2-ii) include: mono (meth) acrylates having a straight alkyl chain such as ethyl (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, propyl (meth) acrylate, butyl (meth) acrylate, isobutyl (meth) acrylate, octyl (meth) acrylate, dodecyl (meth) acrylate, stearyl (meth) acrylate, and the like, or mono (meth) acrylates having a branched alkyl chain represented by the following structure.

[ solution 12]

Further, as the compound represented by the general formula (2-ii), R in the general formula (2-ii) can be mentionedⁱⁱ¹An acrylic ester having a straight-chain or branched ether chain structure. As the acrylate having an ether chain structure, a compound represented by the following structure is preferable.

[ solution 13]

(wherein q represents an integer of 1 to 10.)

Among them, the mono (meth) acrylate having a branched alkyl chain is preferably used, particularly in view of the remarkable effect of reducing the driving voltage while maintaining good transparency in the absence of applied voltage.

Here, the content of the polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (2-ii) relative to 100 mass% of the total amount of the polymerizable components containing the first component is more preferably 5 mass% or more, more preferably 10 mass% or more, more preferably 15 mass% or more, more preferably 20 mass% or more, more preferably 25 mass% or more, with respect to 100 mass% of the total amount of the polymerizable compounds used in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention, and is more preferably 60 mass% or less, and more preferably 55 mass% or less, with respect to maintaining the strength of the polymer network, from the viewpoint of reducing the voltage.

In the present invention, it is preferable to use, as the third component, a polymerizable compound represented by the following general formula (3-i) in place of the polymerizable compound represented by the above general formula (2-ii) or together with the polymerizable compound represented by the above general formula (2-ii).

[ solution 14]

(in the formula, Y¹And Y²Represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,

X¹represents a linear or branched alkylene group having 4 to 80 carbon atoms, any carbon atom of the alkylene group being substituted with-O-, -CH ═ CH-, -CO-, -C.ident.C-, -OCO-, -COO-or OH, so that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent to each other

Here, in the general formula (3-i), X¹The number of carbon atoms of the linear or branched alkylene group is in the range of 6 to 80,the number of carbon atoms is preferably in the range of 7 to 70, more preferably 8 to 60, and particularly preferably 9 to 50 in terms of reduction in driving voltage.

In addition, X in the general formula (3-i) is X in terms of reduction in driving voltage¹Preferably, the alkylene group having 6 to 80 carbon atoms has an alkylidene group (alkylidyne). Here, the alkylidene group is preferably ethylidene or 2, 2-propylidene.

The X is¹More specifically, it is preferable that the structure has a structural site represented by the following structural formula (i-1) or structural formula (i-2) as a partial structure or a repeating unit.

[ solution 15]

(in the structural formula (i-1), Y³And Y⁴Each represents a methyl group or a hydrogen atom, but at least one is a methyl group, Y⁵Represents a single bond, methylene group or 1, 3-propylene group. In addition, the dotted line represents a bond)

[ solution 16]

(in the structural formula (i-2), Y³And Y⁴Each represents a methyl group or a hydrogen atom, but at least one is a methyl group, Y⁵Represents a single bond, methylene group or 1, 3-propylene group. In addition, the dotted line represents a bond)

Examples of the polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (3-i) include compounds having the following structures.

[ solution 17]

(wherein n and m represent values such that n + m is 1 to 10, and n²Represents 1 to 18, n³And m²Denotes n is³+m²Is a value of 1 to 18, n⁴Represents 1 to 23, n⁵Represents 1 to 23, n⁶Represents 4 to 30, n⁷Represents 2 to 10, n⁸2 to 10)

Here, the content of the polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (3-i) relative to 100 mass% of the total amount of the polymerizable components including the first component is more preferably 5 mass% or more, more preferably 10 mass% or more, more preferably 15 mass% or more, more preferably 20 mass% or more, more preferably 25 mass% or more, with respect to 100 mass% of the total amount of the polymerizable compounds used in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention, and is even more preferably 60 mass% or less, and even more preferably 55 mass% or less, with respect to maintaining the strength of the polymer network, from the viewpoint of reducing the voltage.

In the present invention, as the third component, a polymerizable compound represented by the above general formula (2-ii) and/or a polymerizable compound represented by the above general formula (3-i) can be preferably used, and other polymerizable compounds (hereinafter, simply referred to as "other polymerizable compounds") can be used in combination within a range not impairing the effects of the present invention.

The other polymerizable compound includes, as preferable compounds, compounds represented by the following general formulae (2) to (8) (except for the first component, the polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (2-ii), and the polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (3-i)).

[ solution 18]

In the above formulae (2) to (8), P¹¹～P⁷⁴Represents a polymerizable group selected from the above-mentioned formulae (P-1) to (P-20), and among these polymerizable groups, from the viewpoint of improving polymerizability and storage stability, the formula (P-1), the formula (P-2), the formula (P-7), the formula (P-12) or the formula (P-13) is preferable, and the formula (P-1), the formula (P-7) or the formula (P-12) is more preferable.

X¹¹～X⁷²Each independently represents-O-, -S-, -OCH₂-、-CH₂O-、-CO-、-COO-、-OCO-、-CO-S-、-S-CO-、-O-CO-O-、-CO-NH-、-NH-CO-、-SCH₂-、-CH₂S-、-CF₂O-、-OCF₂-、-CF₂S-、-SCF₂-、-CH＝CH-COO-、-CH＝CH-OCO-、-COO-CH＝CH-、-OCO-CH＝CH-、-COO-CH₂CH₂-、-OCO-CH₂CH₂-、-CH₂CH₂-COO-、-CH₂CH₂-OCO-、-COO-CH₂-、-OCO-CH₂-、-CH₂-COO-、-CH₂-OCO-, -CH ═ CH-, -N ═ N-, -CH ═ N ═ CH-, -CF ═ CF-, -C ≡ C-, or a single bond, in the presence of a plurality of X' s¹¹～X⁷²In the case of (2), they may be the same or different (wherein each P- (S-X) -bond does not contain-O-), and particularly preferably a group selected from the group consisting of a single bond, -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-.

M¹¹、M²¹、M³¹、M⁵¹、M⁷¹Each independently represents a mesogenic group represented by the following general formula (9-a).

(in the general formula (9-a), A⁹¹、A⁹²、A⁹³Each independently represents a 2-valent group having at least 1 or more ring structures, and the 2-valent group represents a group selected from 1, 2-cyclopropylene, 1, 3-cyclobutylene, 2, 5-cyclopentylene, octahydro-4, 7-methano-1H-indene-1, 5-diyl, octahydro-4, 7-methano-1H-indene-1, 6-diyl, octahydro-4, 7-methano-1H-indene-2, 5-diyl, and tricyclo [3.3.1.1^{3 ,7}]-1, 3-diyl, 1, 4-phenylene, 1, 4-cyclohexylene, 1, 4-cyclohexenyl, tetrahydropyran-2, 5-diyl, 1, 3-dioxane-2, 5-diyl, tetrahydrothiopyran-2, 5-diyl, 1, 4-bicyclo (2,2,2) octylene, decahydronaphthalene-2, 6-diyl, pyridine-2, 5-diyl, pyrimidine-2, 5-diyl, pyrazine-2, 5-diyl, thiophene-2, 5-diyl-, 1,2,3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2, 6-diyl, naphthylene-1, 4-diyl, naphthylene-1, 5-diyl, naphthylene-1, 6-diyl, Naphthylene-2, 6-diyl, phenanthrene-2, 7-diyl, 9, 10-dihydrophenanthrene-2, 7-diyl, benzothiazolyl, 1,2,3,4,4a,9,10 a-octahydrophenanthrene-2, 7-diyl, benzo [1,2-b:4,5-b']Bithiophene-2, 6-diyl, benzo [1,2-b:4,5-b']Diselenophene-2, 6-diyl, [ 1]]Benzothieno [3,2-b ]]Thiophene-2, 7-diyl, [ 1]]Benzoselenopheno [3,2-b ] s]Selenophene-2, 7-diyl or fluorene-2, 7-diyl, which may be unsubstituted or substituted by more than 1L¹Substituted by the presence of a plurality of A⁹¹And/or A⁹²In the case of (2), they may be the same or different,

Z⁹¹and Z⁹²Each independently represents-O-, -S-, -OCH₂-、-CH₂O-、-CH₂CH₂-、-CO-、-COO-、-OCO-、-CO-S-、-S-CO-、-O-CO-O-、-CO-NH-、-NH-CO-、-SCH₂-、-CH₂S-、-CF₂O-、-OCF₂-、-CF₂S-、-SCF₂-、-CH＝CH-COO-、-CH＝CH-OCO-、-COO-CH＝CH-、-OCO-CH＝CH-、-COO-CH₂CH₂-、-OCO-CH₂CH₂-、-CH₂CH₂-COO-、-CH₂CH₂-OCO-、-COO-CH₂-、-OCO-CH₂-、-CH₂-COO-、-CH₂-OCO-, -CH ═ CH-, -N ═ N-, -CH ═ N-, -N ═ CH-, -CH ═ N-N ═ CH-, -CF ═ CF-, -C ≡ C-, or a single bond, where a plurality of Z's occur⁹¹And/or Z⁹²In the case of (2), they may be the same or different,

j91 and j92 each independently represent 0 to 4, j91+ j92 represents an integer of 1 to 4,

L¹represents a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom, a pentafluorothio group, a nitro group, an isocyano group, an amino group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a methylamino group, a dimethylamino group, a diethylamino group, a diisopropylamino group, a trimethylsilyl group, a dimethylsilyl group, a thioisocyano group, or 1-CH₂-or non-contiguous 2 or more-CH₂-may be independently substituted by-O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NH-, -NH-CO-, -CH ═ CH-COO-, -CH ═ CH-OCO-, -COO-CH ═ CH-, -OCO-CH ═ CH-, -CF ═ CF-, -N ═ N-, -CR ═ CH-, -CO-, CO-O-, -CO-CH ═ CH-, -CO ═ CF-, -N ═ N-, -¹＝N-N＝CR¹-or-C.ident.C-isA substituted C1-20 linear or branched alkyl group, any hydrogen atom in the alkyl group being substituted with a fluorine atom (R)¹Represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, the alkyl group may be linear or branched, any hydrogen atom in the alkyl group may be substituted with a fluorine atom, and 1-CH in the alkyl group₂-or non-contiguous 2 or more-CH₂-may each be independently substituted by-O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NH-, -NH-CO-or-C.ident.C-)

In addition, M⁴¹To be the above A⁹¹、A⁹²、A⁹³Examples of the 3-valent organic group having a ring structure, M⁶¹To be the above A⁹¹、A⁹²、A⁹³The exemplified 4-valent organic group having a ring structure.

In the above general formulae (2) to (8), R¹¹、R³¹Each represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom, a cyano group or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, the alkyl group may be linear or branched, any hydrogen atom in the alkyl group may be substituted with a fluorine atom, and 1-CH in the alkyl group₂-or non-contiguous 2 or more-CH₂-may each be independently substituted by-O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NH-, -NH-CO-or-C.ident.C-,

m 1-m 7, n 2-n 7, l 4-l 6 and k6 independently represent an integer of 0-5. )

In the above general formulae (2) to (8), S¹¹～S⁷²Each independently represents a spacer or a single bond, S above¹¹～S⁷²The spacer represents an alkylene group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms (the alkylene group may be substituted with 1 or more halogen atoms, CN groups, alkyl groups having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or alkyl groups having 1 to 8 carbon atoms and having a polymerizable functional group, and 1 CH present in the alkylene group₂Radical or noncontiguous more than 2 CH₂The radicals may each, independently of one another, be-O-, -S-, -NH-, -N (CH) in such a way that oxygen atoms are not bonded directly to one another₃) -, -CO-, -CH (OH) -, CH (COOH), -COO-, -OCO-, -OCOO-, -SCO-, -COS-or-C.ident.C-substitution. Among these spacers, from the viewpoint of orientation, a linear alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with a fluorine atom, and an alkylene group having 5 to 14 carbon atoms in which a part of the alkylene group is substituted with-O-, are preferable. In addition, when there are a plurality of S¹¹～S⁷²In the case of (3), they may be the same or different.

In the general formulae (2) to (8), m1 to m7, n2 to n7, l4 to l6, and k6 each independently represent an integer of 0 to 5, and m1 to m7, n2 to n7, l4 to l6, and k6 each independently represent preferably 0 or 1.

The polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (2) is preferably a polymerizable compound represented by the following formulas (2-1) to (2-39).

[ solution 19]

[ solution 20]

[ solution 21]

[ solution 22]

[ solution 23]

In the formulae (2-1) to (2-39), n and m each independently represent an integer of 1 to 10, and R¹、R²And R³Each of which isIndependently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a cyano group. When these groups are alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, all of them may be unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or 2 or more halogen atoms.

The content of the polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (2) is preferably 1% by mass or more, more preferably 5% by mass or more, from the viewpoint of lowering the voltage, and particularly preferably 50% by mass or less, particularly preferably 40% by mass or less, particularly preferably 30% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 25% by mass or less, from the viewpoint of maintaining the strength of the polymer network, with respect to 100% by mass of the total amount of the polymerizable compounds used in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention.

The polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (3) is preferably a polymerizable compound represented by the following formulae (3-1) to (3-53).

[ solution 24]

[ solution 25]

[ solution 26]

[ solution 27]

[ solution 28]

[ solution 29]

[ solution 30]

[ solution 31]

[ solution 32]

[ solution 33]

[ chemical 34]

In the formulae (3-1) to (3-53), n and m each independently represent an integer of 1 to 10, and R each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a cyano group. When these groups are alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, all of them may be unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or 2 or more halogen atoms.

The content of the polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (3) is preferably 1% by mass or more, more preferably 5% by mass or more, from the viewpoint of lowering the voltage, and particularly preferably 50% by mass or less, particularly preferably 40% by mass or less, particularly preferably 30% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 25% by mass or less, from the viewpoint of maintaining the strength of the polymer network, with respect to 100% by mass of the total amount of the polymerizable compounds used in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention.

As the compound represented by the above general formula (4), specifically, compounds represented by the following formulae (4-1) to (4-9) are preferable in that they contribute to the formation of a polymer network and can function as a self-aligning agent without requiring a polyimide alignment film.

[ solution 35]

[ solution 36]

[ solution 37]

The content of the polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (4) is preferably 0.2 mass% or more, more preferably 0.5 mass% or more, still more preferably 2 mass% or more, and particularly preferably 5 mass% or more, from the viewpoint of being used as a PI-free monomer that exhibits vertical alignment without using a vertical alignment film, and the upper limit is preferably 15 mass% or less, more preferably 10 mass% or less, and particularly preferably 8 mass% or less, from the viewpoint of not causing a large amount of polymer to aggregate on the surface of the substrate, with respect to 100 mass% of the total amount of polymerizable compounds used in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering type liquid crystal element of the present invention.

Specifically, the compound represented by the above general formula (5) is preferably a tri (meth) acrylate such as trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate, ethoxylated isocyanuric acid triacrylate, pentaerythritol tri (meth) acrylate, and epsilon-caprolactone-modified tris- (2-acryloyloxyethyl) isocyanurate, or a compound represented by the following formulae (5-1) to (5-23).

[ solution 38]

[ solution 39]

[ solution 40]

[ solution 41]

[ solution 42]

[ solution 43]

In the formulae (5-1) to (5-23), n and m each independently represent an integer of 1 to 10, and R each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a cyano group. When these groups are alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, all of them may be unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or 2 or more halogen atoms.

Specifically, the compounds represented by the general formula (6) are preferably compounds represented by the following formulae (6-1) to (6-11).

[ solution 44]

[ solution 45]

[ solution 46]

In the formulae (6-1) to (6-11), n is an integer of 1 to 10, and R is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a cyano group. When these groups are alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, all of them may be unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or 2 or more halogen atoms.

Specifically, the compound represented by the above general formula (7) is preferably a tetra (meth) acrylate such as pentaerythritol tetra (meth) acrylate or ditrimethylolpropane tetra (meth) acrylate, or a compound represented by the following formulae (7-1) to (7-14).

[ solution 47]

[ solution 48]

[ solution 49]

[ solution 50]

[ solution 51]

In the formulae (7-1) to (7-14), n, m, l and k each independently represent an integer of 1 to 10, and R each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a cyano group. When these groups are alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, all of them may be unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or 2 or more halogen atoms.

Specifically, the compounds represented by the general formula (8) are preferably compounds represented by the following formulae (8-1) to (8-10).

[ solution 52]

[ Hua 53]

[ solution 54]

[ solution 55]

In the formulae (8-1) to (8-10), R independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a cyano group. When these groups are alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, all of them may be unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or 2 or more halogen atoms.

The content of the polymerizable compound represented by the general formulae (5) to (8) is preferably 1 mass% or more, more preferably 3 mass% or more, and particularly preferably 5 mass% or more, with respect to 100 mass% of the total amount of the polymerizable compounds used in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention, from the viewpoint of increasing the crosslink density of the polymer network, and on the other hand, is preferably 20 mass% or less, more preferably 15 mass% or less, and particularly preferably 10 mass% or less, with respect to the viewpoint of preventing the driving voltage from being excessively high due to an excessively high crosslink density.

In the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering type liquid crystal element of the present invention, other polymerizable compounds such as a polymerizable compound having a group (for example, a polar group such as a hydroxyl group, a thiol group, an amide group, an amine group, or a phosphate group) that improves adhesion to a base material may be used in combination with the polymerizable compounds represented by the general formulae (1) to (8).

The total content of the polymerizable compound used in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention is preferably 1% by mass or more, more preferably 3% by mass or more, and particularly preferably 5% by mass or more, based on 100% by mass of the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention, and on the other hand, from the viewpoint of not excessively increasing the driving voltage due to an excessively high crosslinking density, the total content is preferably 50% by mass or less, preferably 40% by mass or less, preferably 30% by mass or less, preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 15% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 10% by mass or less.

In the present invention, as described above, among the third components described in detail above, the polymerizable compound represented by the above general formula (2-ii) and the polymerizable compound represented by the above general formula (3-i) are preferably used, and the polymerizable compound represented by the above general formula (2-ii) is particularly preferably used, particularly from the viewpoint of the effect of reducing the driving voltage.

(Compound having negative dielectric constant anisotropy)

The liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention contains a compound having negative dielectric anisotropy as a second component. More specifically, the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention preferably contains 1 or 2 or more compounds represented by the following general formula (N-1).

The liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention is not limited as long as it contains at least the compound represented by the general formula (N-1). For example, the liquid crystal compound represented by the general formula (N-1) can be optionally combined with a liquid crystal compound group shown below. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the term "composition" refers to a liquid crystal composition.

The liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention may contain 1 or 2 or more kinds of liquid crystal compounds represented by the general formula (N-2) or the general formula (N-3) together with 1 or 2 or more kinds of liquid crystal compounds represented by the general formula (N-1). These liquid crystal compounds correspond to compounds having negative dielectric constant (the sign of the dielectric anisotropy is negative, and the absolute value thereof is more than 2).

[ solution 56]

(in the formula, R^N11、R^N12、R^N21、R^N22、R^N31And R^N32Each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, 1 of the alkyl groups being non-adjacent and 2 or more-CH₂-is independently substitutable with-CH ═ CH-, -C ≡ C-, -O-, -CO-, -COO-or-OCO-,

A^N11、A^N12、A^N21、A^N22、A^N31and A^N32Each independently represents a member selected fromGroups of the following groups (a) to (d)

(a)1, 4-cyclohexylene radical (1-CH present in this radical)₂-or non-contiguous 2 or more-CH₂-may be substituted by-O-)

(b)1, 4-phenylene (1-CH-or nonadjacent 2 or more-CH-present in the radical may be substituted by-N ═ N)

(c) Naphthalene-2, 6-diyl, 1,2,3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2, 6-diyl or decahydronaphthalene-2, 6-diyl (1-CH ═ present in naphthalene-2, 6-diyl or 1,2,3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2, 6-diyl or 2 or more-CH ═ which are not adjacent may be substituted by — N ═ in the form of a ring or a ring)

(d)1, 4-Cyclohexenylene group

The above-mentioned group (a), group (b), group (c) and group (d) may be each independently substituted with a cyano group, a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom,

Z^N11、Z^N12、Z^N21、Z^N22、Z^N31and Z^N32Each independently represents a single bond, -CH₂CH₂-、-(CH₂)₄-、-OCH₂-、-CH₂O-、-COO-、-OCO-、-OCF₂-、-CF₂O-, -CH-N-CH-, -CH-, -CF-or-C ≡ C-,

X^N21represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom,

T^N31represents-CH₂-or an oxygen atom,

n^N11、n^N12、n^N21、n^N22、n^N31and n^N32Each independently represents an integer of 0 to 3, n^N11+n^N12、n^N21+n^N22And n^N31+n^N32Each independently is 1,2 or 3, in the presence of a plurality of A^N11～A^N32、Z^N11～Z^N32In the case of (3), they may be the same or different. Wherein a compound represented by the general formula (i) is excluded

The compounds represented by the general formulae (N-1), (N-2) and (N-3) are preferably compounds having negative dielectric anisotropy and absolute values greater than 2.

In the general formulae (N-1), (N-2) and (N-3), R^N11、R^N12、R^N21、R^N22、R^N31And R^N32Independently, the alkyl group 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, more 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, still more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, still more preferably an alkyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 3 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an alkenyl group having 3 carbon atoms (propenyl group).

When the ring structure to be bonded is a phenyl group (aromatic group), a linear alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a linear alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms are preferable, and when the ring structure to be bonded is a saturated ring structure such as cyclohexane, pyran, dioxane, or the like, a linear alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a linear alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a linear alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms are preferable. In order to stabilize the nematic phase, the total of carbon atoms and oxygen atoms when present is preferably 5 or less, and is preferably linear.

The alkenyl group is preferably a group represented by any one of formulae (R1) to (R5) (the black dot in each formula represents a carbon atom in the ring structure).

[ solution 57]

A^N11、A^N12、A^N21、A^N22、A^N31And A^N32Independently of each other, when an increase in Δ n is required, it is preferably aromatic, and in order to improve the response speed, it is preferably aliphatic, and preferably represents trans-1, 4-cyclohexylene, 1, 4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1, 4-phenylene, 3, 5-difluoro-1, 4-phenylene, 2, 3-difluoro-1, 4-phenylene, 1, 4-cyclohexenylene, 1, 4-bicyclo [ 2.2.2.2 ] phenylene]Octylidene, piperidine-1, 4-diyl, naphthalene-2, 6-diyl, decahydronaphthalene-2, 6-diyl or 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydronaphthalene-2, 6-diyl, more preferably represents the structure,

[ solution 58]

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

Z^N11、Z^N12、Z^N21、Z^N22、Z^N31And Z^N32Are each independently preferably represented by-CH₂O-、-CF₂O-、-CH₂CH₂-、-CF₂CF₂-or a single bond, and more preferably-CH₂O-、-CH₂CH₂-or a single bond, particularly preferably-CH₂O-or a single bond. X^N21Preferably a fluorine atom. T is^N31Preferably an oxygen atom.

n^N11+n^N12、n^N21+n^N22And n^N31+n^N32Preferably 1 or 2, preferably: n is^N11Is 1, n^N12Is a combination of 0, n^N11Is 2, n^N12Is a combination of 0, n^N11Is 1, n^N12Is a combination of 1, n^N11Is 2, n^N12Is a combination of 1, n^N21Is 1, n^N22Is a combination of 0, n^N21Is 2, n^N22Is a combination of 0, n^N31Is 1, n^N32Is a combination of 0, n^N31Is 2, n^N32Is a combination of 0.

From the viewpoint of improving the transparency of the liquid crystal element of the present invention, the composition preferably does not contain a compound represented by the general formula (N-2) or the general formula (N-3).

The lower limit of the preferable content of the liquid crystal compound represented by the formula (N-1) is 30% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 95% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 45% and the upper limit thereof is preferably 80% by mass.

The preferable content of the liquid crystal compound represented by the formula (N-2) is 0% by mass based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content may be 1 mass%, 10 mass%, or 20 mass% as long as the object of the present invention such as transparency is not impaired. The upper limit of the content may be 35 mass%, 25 mass%, or 20 mass%.

The preferable content of the liquid crystal compound represented by the formula (N-3) is 0% by mass based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound composition contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content may be 1 mass%, 10 mass%, or 20 mass% as long as the object of the present invention such as transparency is not impaired. The upper limit of the content may be 35 mass%, 25 mass%, or 20 mass%.

When the viscosity of the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention is kept low and a composition having a high response speed is required, the lower limit value and the upper limit value are preferably low. Furthermore, T in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention_NIWhen a composition having high retention and good temperature stability is required, the lower limit value and the upper limit value are preferably low. When the dielectric anisotropy is to be increased to keep the driving voltage low, the lower limit value is preferably high and the upper limit value is preferably high.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1) include compounds represented by the following general formulae (N-1a) to (N-1 g).

[ chemical 59]

(in the formula, R^N11And R^N12R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning, n^Na11Represents 0 or 1, n^Nb11Represents 1 or 2, n^Nc11Represents 0 or 1, n^Nd11Represents 1 or 2, n^Ne11Represents 1 or 2, n^Nf11Represents 1 or 2, n^Ng11Represents 1 or 2, A^Ne11Represents trans-1, 4-cyclohexylene or 1, 4-phenylene, A^Ng11Represents trans-1, 4-cyclohexylene, 1, 4-cyclohexenylene or 1, 4-phenylene, and at least one represents 1, 4-cyclohexenylene, Z^Ne11Represents a single bond or an ethylene group, and at least one represents an ethylene group)

More specifically, the compound represented by the general formula (N-1) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the general formulae (N-1-1) to (N-1-5), (N-1-10) to (N-1-18), and (N-1-20) to (N-1-21).

The compound represented by the general formula (N-1-1) is the following compound.

[ solution 60]

(in the formula, R^N111And R^N112Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N111Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably a propyl group, a pentyl group or a vinyl group. R^N112Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably an ethoxy group or a butoxy group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-1) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content higher when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set higher when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be small, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-1) is 0% and the upper limit is 25% with respect to the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15%.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (N-1-1) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-1.1) to (N-1-1.23), preferably a compound represented by the formulae (N-1-1.1) to (N-1-1.4), preferably a compound represented by the formulae (N-1-1.1) and (N-1-1.3).

[ solution 61]

The compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-1.1) to (N-1-1.22) may be used alone or in combination.

The compound represented by the general formula (N-1-2) is the following compound.

[ solution 62]

(in the formula, R^N121And R^N122Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N121Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably an ethyl group, a propyl group, a butyl group or a pentyl group. R^N122Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably a methyl group, a propyl group, a methoxy group, an ethoxy group or a propoxy group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-2) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content high when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set low when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and T is importance_NIIn the case of the above, if the content is set to be large, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-2) is 0% by mass and the upper limit is 30% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is more preferably 20% by mass.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (N-1-2) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-2.1) to (N-1-2.22), preferably a compound represented by the formulae (N-1-2.3) to (N-1-2.7), (N-1-2.10), (N-1-2.11), (N-1-2.13) or (N-1-2.20), preferably a compound represented by the formulae (N-1-2.3) to (N-1-2.7) when an improvement in. DELTA.. epsilon.is important, and T is important_NIThe compound represented by the formula (N-1-2.10), the formula (N-1-2.11) or the formula (N-1-2.13) is preferable for the improvement of (A), and the compound represented by the formula (N-1-2.20) is preferable for the improvement of the response speed.

[ solution 63]

The compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-2.1) to (N-1-2.22) may be used alone or in combination.

The compound represented by the general formula (N-1-3) is the following compound.

[ solution 64]

(in the formula, R^N131And R^N132Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N131Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably an ethyl group, a propyl group or a butyl group. R^N132Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 3 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably a 1-propenyl group, an ethoxy group, a propoxy group or a butoxy group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-3) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content higher when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set higher when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be large, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-3) is 5% by mass and the upper limit is 50% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 10% by mass and the upper limit thereof is more preferably 35% by mass.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (N-1-3) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-3.1) to (N-1-3.21), preferably compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-3.1) to (N-1-3.7) and (N-1-3.21), and preferably compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-3.1), (N-1-3.2), (N-1-3.3), (N-1-3.4) and (N-1-3.6).

[ solution 65]

The compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-3.1) to (N-1-3.4), (N-1-3.6) and (N-1-3.21) may be used alone or in combination, and preferably are a combination of 2 or 3 selected from the group consisting of the formulae (N-1-3.3), (N-1-3.4) and (N-1-3.6) and a combination of the formulae (N-1-3.1) and (N-1-3.2).

The compound represented by the general formula (N-1-4) is the following compound.

[ solution 66]

(in the formula, R^N141And R^N142Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N141And R^N142Each independently preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably a methyl group, a propyl group, an ethoxy group or a butoxy group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-4) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content higher when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set higher when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be small, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-4) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (N-1-4) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-4.1) to (N-1-4.14), preferably a compound represented by the formulae (N-1-4.1) to (N-1-4.4), preferably a compound represented by the formulae (N-1-4.1), (N-1-4.2) or (N-1-4.4).

[ solution 67]

The compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-4.1) to (N-1-4.14) may be used alone or in combination.

The compound represented by the general formula (N-1-5) is the following compound.

[ solution 68]

(in the formula, R^N151And R^N152Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N151And R^N152Each independently preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably an ethyl group, a propyl group or a butyl group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-5) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

When importance is attached to improvement of Δ ∈, it is preferable to set the content to be high, and when importance is attached to solubility at low temperaturesIf the content is set to a small amount, the effect is high, and T is regarded as important_NIIn the case of the above, if the content is set to be large, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-5) is 0% by mass and the upper limit is 30% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is more preferably 20% by mass.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (N-1-5) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-5.1) to (N-1-5.6), and is preferably a compound represented by the formulae (N-1-5.1), (N-1-5.2) or (N-1-5.4).

[ solution 69]

The compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-5.1), (N-1-5.2) and (N-1-5.4) may be used alone or in combination.

The compound represented by the general formula (N-1-10) is the following compound.

[ solution 70]

(in the formula, R^N1101And R^N1102Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N1101Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably an ethyl group, a propyl group, a butyl group, a vinyl group or a 1-propenyl group. R^N1102Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably an ethoxy group, a propoxy group or a butoxy group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-10) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content high when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set high when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be high, the effect is high. Further, when the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic are improved, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-10) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 35% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 2% by mass, and the upper limit is more preferably 25% by mass.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (N-1-10) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-10.1) to (N-1-10.21), more preferably a compound represented by the formulae (N-1-10.1) to (N-1-10.5), (N-1-10.20) or (N-1-10.21), and preferably a compound represented by the formulae (N-1-10.1), (N-1-10.2), (N-1-10.20) or (N-1-10.21).

[ solution 71]

The compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-10.1), (N-1-10.2), (N-1-10.20) and (N-1-10.21) may be used alone or in combination.

The compound represented by the general formula (N-1-11) is the following compound.

[ chemical formula 72]

(in the formula, R^N1111And R^N1112Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N1111Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably an ethyl group, a propyl group, a butyl group, a vinyl group or a 1-propenyl group. R^N1112Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably an ethoxy group, a propoxy group or a butoxy group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-11) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content high when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set low when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be high, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-11) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 75% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 2% and the upper limit is preferably 50% by mass.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (N-1-11) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-11.1) to (N-1-11.14), preferably a compound represented by the formulae (N-1-11.1) to (N-1-11.5), and preferably a compound represented by the formulae (N-1-11.2) and (N-1-11.4).

[ solution 73]

The compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-11.2) and (N-1-11.4) may be used alone or in combination.

The compound represented by the general formula (N-1-12) is the following compound.

[ chemical formula 74]

(in the formula, R^N1121And R^N1122Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N1121Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably an ethyl group, a propyl group or a butyl group. R^N1122Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably an ethoxy group, a propoxy group or a butoxy group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-12) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content higher when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set higher when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be large, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-12) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

The compound represented by the general formula (N-1-13) is the following compound.

[ solution 75]

(in the formula, R^N1131And R^N1132Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N1131Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably an ethyl group, a propyl group or a butyl group. R^N1132Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably an ethoxy group, a propoxy group or a butoxy group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-13) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content higher when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set higher when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be large, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-13) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

The compound represented by the general formula (N-1-14) is the following compound.

[ 76]

(in the formula, R^N1141And R^N1142Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N1141Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably an ethyl group, a propyl group or a butyl group. R^N1142Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably an ethoxy group, a propoxy group or a butoxy group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-14) may be used alone or in combination of 2 or more compounds. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content higher when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set higher when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be large, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-14) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

The compound represented by the general formula (N-1-15) is the following compound.

[ solution 77]

(in the formula, R^N1151And R^N1152Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N1151Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably an ethyl group, a propyl group or a butyl group. R^N1152Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably an ethoxy group, a propoxy group or a butoxy group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-15) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content higher when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set higher when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be large, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-15) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-16) are the following compounds.

[ solution 78]

(in the formula, R^N1161And R^N1162Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N1161Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably an ethyl group, a propyl group or a butyl group. R^N1162Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably an ethoxy group, a propoxy group or a butoxy group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-16) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content higher when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set higher when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be large, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-16) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

The compound represented by the general formula (N-1-17) is the following compound.

[ solution 79]

(in the formula, R^N1171And R^N1172Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same asMeaning)

R^N1171Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably an ethyl group, a propyl group or a butyl group. R^N1172Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably an ethoxy group, a propoxy group or a butoxy group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-17) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content higher when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set higher when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be large, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-17) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-18) are the following compounds.

[ solution 80]

(in the formula, R^N1181And R^N1182Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N1181Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably a methyl group or an ethyl groupAlkyl, propyl or butyl. R^N1182Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably an ethoxy group, a propoxy group or a butoxy group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-18) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content higher when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set higher when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be large, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-18) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 35% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 2% by mass, and the upper limit is more preferably 25% by mass.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (N-1-18) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-18.1) to (N-1-18.5), more preferably a compound represented by the formulae (N-1-18.1) to (N-1-18.3), and most preferably a compound represented by the formulae (N-1-18.2) and (N-1-18.3).

[ solution 81]

The compound represented by the general formula (N-1-20) is the following compound.

[ solution 82]

(in the formula, R^N1201And R^N1202Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N1201And R^N1202Each independently preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably an ethyl group, a propyl group or a butyl group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-20) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content higher when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set higher when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be large, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-20) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

The compound represented by the general formula (N-1-21) is the following compound.

[ solution 83]

(in the formula, R^N1211And R^N1212Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N1211And R^N1212Each independently preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably an ethyl group, a propyl group or a butyl group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-21) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content higher when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set higher when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be large, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-21) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

The compound represented by the general formula (N-1-22) is the following compound.

[ solution 84]

(in the formula, R^N1221And R^N1222Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-1)^N11And R^N12Same meaning)

R^N1221And R^N1222Each independently preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably an ethyl group, a propyl group or a butyl group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-1-22) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content higher when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set higher when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be large, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-1-22) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (N-1-22) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by the formulae (N-1-22.1) to (N-1-22.12), more preferably a compound represented by the formulae (N-1-22.1) to (N-1-22.5), and most preferably a compound represented by the formulae (N-1-22.1) to (N-1-22.4).

[ solution 85]

The compound represented by the general formula (N-2) is preferably a compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the formula (N-2-1) or the formula (N-2-2).

[ solution 86]

(in the formula, R^N211And R^N212Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-2)^N21And R^N22The same meaning is used.Similarly, in the formula, R^N221And R^N222Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-2)^N21And R^N22Same meaning)

R^N211And R^N221Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably an ethyl group, a propyl group, a butyl group, a vinyl group or a 1-propenyl group.

R^N221And R^N222Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and preferably an ethoxy group, a propoxy group or a butoxy group.

The compounds represented by the formula (N-2-1) or the formula (N-2-2) may be used alone, or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content higher when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set higher when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be small, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-2-1) or the formula (N-2-2) relative to the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention is 0% by mass and the upper limit is 25% by mass. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

Further, the compound represented by the formula (N-2-1) or the formula (N-2-2) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formula (N-2-1.1) to the formula (N-2-1.5), the formula (N-2-2.1) to the formula (N-2-2.2).

[ solution 87]

The compound represented by the general formula (N-3) is preferably a compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the general formula (N-3-2).

[ solution 88]

(in the formula, R^N321And R^N322Each independently represents R in the general formula (N-3)^N31And R^N32Same meaning)

R^N321And R^N322Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and preferably a propyl group or a pentyl group.

The compounds represented by the general formula (N-3-2) may be used alone or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

It is preferable to set the content higher when importance is placed on the improvement of Δ ∈, the effect is high when the content is set higher when importance is placed on the solubility at low temperatures, and the effect is high when importance is placed on T_NIIf the content is set to be small, the effect is high. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (N-3-2) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (N-3-2) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formulae (N-3-2.1) to (N-3-2.3).

[ solution 89]

The liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention preferably contains 1 or 2 or more kinds of liquid crystal compounds represented by the general formula (L) as a non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

The liquid crystal compound represented by the general formula (L) corresponds to a compound having a substantially neutral dielectric property (the value of the dielectric anisotropy. DELTA. epsilon. is-2 to 2).

[ solution 90]

(in the formula, R^L1And R^L2Each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, 1 of the alkyl groups being non-adjacent and 2 or more-CH₂-is independently substitutable with-CH ═ CH-, -C ≡ C-, -O-, -CO-, -COO-or-OCO-,

n^L1represents 0, 1,2 or 3,

A^L1、A^L2and A^L3Each independently represents a group selected from the group consisting of (a) to (c),

(a)1, 4-cyclohexylene radical (1-CH present in this radical)₂-or non-contiguous 2 or more-CH₂-may be substituted by-O-)

(b)1, 4-phenylene (1-CH-or nonadjacent 2 or more-CH-present in the radical may be substituted by-N ═ N)

(c) Naphthalene-2, 6-diyl, 1,2,3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2, 6-diyl or decahydronaphthalene-2, 6-diyl (1-CH ═ present in naphthalene-2, 6-diyl or 1,2,3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2, 6-diyl or 2 or more-CH ═ which are not adjacent may be substituted by — N ═ in the form of a ring or a ring)

1 or 2 or more hydrogen atoms present in the groups of the above-mentioned group (a), group (b) and group (c) may be independently substituted with a cyano group, a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom,

Z^L1and Z^L2Are respectively independentRepresents a single bond, -CH in a standing position₂CH₂-、-(CH₂)₄-、-OCH₂-、-CH₂O-、-COO-、-OCO-、-OCF₂-、-CF₂O-, -CH-N-CH-, -CH-, -CF-or-C ≡ C-,

at n^L1A plurality of A's being present for 2 or 3^L2In the case of (3), they may be the same or different, and in n^L1A plurality of Z s being 2 or 3^L2In case (2), they may be the same or different)

The compounds represented by the general formula (L) may be used alone or in combination. The kind of the compound that can be combined is not particularly limited, and it is suitably combined and used in accordance with desired properties such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence, and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 as one embodiment of the present invention. Or 2,3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10 or more in another embodiment of the present invention.

In the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention, the content of the liquid crystal compound represented by the general formula (L) is appropriately adjusted depending on the required properties such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence, process adaptability, dropping marks, burn-in, and dielectric anisotropy.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (L) is 1 mass% and the upper limit thereof is 85 mass% with respect to the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 3% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 65% by mass.

When the viscosity of the composition is kept low and a composition having a high response speed is required, the lower limit value is preferably high and the upper limit value is preferably high. Further, in the composition of the present invention, T_NIWhen a composition having high heat stability is required to be maintained, the lower limit value is preferably high and the upper limit value is preferably high. When the dielectric anisotropy is to be increased to keep the driving voltage low, the lower limit value and the upper limit value are preferably low.

R is preferable when reliability is important^L1And R^L2All of them are alkyl groups, and alkoxy groups are preferable when importance is attached to reduction in volatility of the compound, and alkenyl groups are at least preferable when importance is attached to reduction in viscosity.

The number of halogen atoms present in the molecule is preferably 0, 1,2 or 3, preferably 0 or 1, and preferably 1 when importance is attached to compatibility with other liquid crystal molecules.

R^L1And R^L2When the ring structure to be bonded is a phenyl group (aromatic group), a linear alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a linear alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a linear alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms are preferable, and when the ring structure to be bonded is a saturated ring structure such as cyclohexane, pyran, dioxane, or the like, a linear alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a linear alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a linear alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms are preferable. In order to stabilize the nematic phase, the total of carbon atoms and oxygen atoms when present is preferably 5 or less, and is preferably linear.

The alkenyl group is preferably a group represented by any one of formulae (R1) to (R5) (the black dot in each formula represents a carbon atom in the ring structure).

[ solution 91]

n^L1When importance is placed on the response speed, 0 is preferable, 2 or 3 is preferable for improving the upper limit temperature of the nematic phase, and 1 is preferable for achieving the balance between them. In addition, in order to satisfy the characteristics required as a composition, it is preferable to combine compounds having different values.

A^L1、A^L2And A^L3When Δ n is required to be increased, it is preferably aromatic, and it is preferably aliphatic for improving the response speed, and each of them preferably independently represents trans-1, 4-cyclohexylene, 1, 4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1, 4-phenylene, 3, 5-difluoro-1, 4-phenylene, 1, 4-cyclohexenylene, or 1, 4-bicyclo ring[2.2.2]Octylene, piperidine-1, 4-diyl, naphthalene-2, 6-diyl, decahydronaphthalene-2, 6-diyl or 1,2,3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2, 6-diyl, more preferably a group represented by the following structure,

[ solution 92]

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

Z^L1And Z^L2In the case where importance is attached to the response speed, a single key is preferable.

The compound represented by the general formula (L) preferably has 0 or 1 halogen atom in the molecule.

The compound represented by the general formula (L) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the general formulae (L-1) to (L-9).

The compound represented by the general formula (L-1) is the following compound.

[ solution 93]

(in the formula, R^L11And R^L12Each independently represents R in the general formula (L)^L1And R^L2Same meaning)

R^L11And R^L12Preferably, the alkyl group has a straight chain of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, the alkoxy group has a straight chain of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and the alkenyl group has a straight chain of 2 to 5 carbon atoms.

The compounds represented by the general formula (L-1) may be used alone, or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

The lower limit of the content is preferably 0 mass% and the upper limit is preferably 30 mass% with respect to the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is more preferably 20% by mass.

When the viscosity of the composition is kept low and a composition having a high response speed is required, the lower limit value is preferably high and the upper limit value is preferably high. Further, in the composition T_NIWhen a composition having high retention and good temperature stability is required, the lower limit value is preferably medium and the upper limit value is preferably medium. When the dielectric anisotropy is to be increased to keep the driving voltage low, the lower limit value and the upper limit value are preferably low.

The compound represented by the general formula (L-1) is preferably a compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the general formula (L-1-1).

[ solution 94]

(in the formula, R^L12Represents the same meaning as in the general formula (L-1)

The compound represented by the general formula (L-1-1) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formulae (L-1-1.1) to (L-1-1.3), preferably a compound represented by the formula (L-1-1.2) or (L-1-1.3), and particularly preferably a compound represented by the formula (L-1-1.3).

[ solution 95]

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (L-1-1.3) is 0% and the upper limit is 20% by mass based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is more preferably 13% by mass.

The compound represented by the general formula (L-1) is preferably a compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the general formula (L-1-2).

[ solution 96]

(in the formula, R^L12Represents the same meaning as in the general formula (L-1)

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (L-1-2) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (L-1-2) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by the formulae (L-1-2.1) to (L-1-2.4), and is preferably a compound represented by the formulae (L-1-2.2) to (L-1-2.4). In particular, the compound represented by the formula (L-1-2.2) is preferable because it improves the response speed of the composition. In addition, a higher T is required than a response speed_NIIn this case, it is preferable to use a compound represented by the formula (L-1-2.3) or the formula (L-1-2.4). In order to optimize the solubility at low temperatures, it is not preferable that the content of the compound represented by the formula (L-1-2.3) or the formula (L-1-2.4) is 30% by mass or more.

[ solution 97]

The compound represented by the general formula (L-1) is preferably a compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the general formula (L-1-3).

[ solution 98]

(in the formula, R^L13And R^L14Each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atomsOr an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms)

R^L13And R^L14Preferably, the alkyl group has a straight chain of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, the alkoxy group has a straight chain of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and the alkenyl group has a straight chain of 2 to 5 carbon atoms.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (L-1-3) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (L-1-3) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formulae (L-1-3.1) to (L-1-3.12), and is preferably a compound represented by the formula (L-1-3.1), the formula (L-1-3.3) or the formula (L-1-3.4). In particular, the compound represented by the formula (L-1-3.1) is preferable because it improves the response speed of the composition. In addition, a higher T is required than a response speed_NIIn this case, it is preferable to use compounds represented by the formulae (L-1-3.3), (L-1-3.4), (L-1-3.11) and (L-1-3.12). In order to optimize the solubility at low temperatures, it is not preferable that the total content of the compounds represented by the formulae (L-1-3.3), (L-1-3.4), (L-1-3.11) and (L-1-3.12) is 20% by mass or more.

[ solution 99]

The compound represented by the general formula (L-1) is preferably a compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the general formulae (L-1-4) and/or (L-1-5).

[ solution 100]

(in the formula, R^L15And R^L16Each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms)

R^L15And R^L16Preferably, the alkyl group has a straight chain of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, the alkoxy group has a straight chain of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and the alkenyl group has a straight chain of 2 to 5 carbon atoms.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (L-1-4) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (L-1-5) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

Further, the compounds represented by the general formulae (L-1-4) and (L-1-5) are preferably compounds selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by the formulae (L-1-4.1) to (L-1-5.3), and are preferably compounds represented by the formulae (L-1-4.2) or (L-1-5.2).

[ solution 101]

When importance is attached to the reliability of the composition, it is preferable to combine 2 or more compounds selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by the formulae (L-1-3.1), (L-1-3.3) and (L-1-3.4), and when importance is attached to the response speed of the composition, it is preferable to combine 2 or more compounds selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by the formulae (L-1-1.3) and (L-1-2.2).

The compound represented by the general formula (L-1) is preferably a compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the general formula (L-1-6).

[ solution 102]

(in the formula，R^L17And R^L18Each independently represents a methyl group or a hydrogen atom)

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (L-1-6) is 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 25% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (L-1-6) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formulae (L-1-6.1) to (L-1-6.3).

[ solution 103]

The compound represented by the general formula (L-2) is the following compound.

[ solution 104]

(in the formula, R^L21And R^L22Each independently represents R in the general formula (L)^L1And R^L2Same meaning)

R^L21Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, R^L22Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

The compounds represented by the general formula (L-1) may be used alone, or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

When the solubility at low temperature is important, the effect is high if the content is set to be large, whereas when the response speed is important, the effect is high if the content is set to be small. Further, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle when improving the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (L-2) is 0 mass% and the upper limit is 25 mass% with respect to the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (L-2) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formulae (L-2.1) to (L-2.6), and is preferably a compound represented by the formulae (L-2.1), (L-2.3), (L-2.4) or (L-2.6).

[ solution 105]

The compound represented by the general formula (L-3) is the following compound.

[ solution 106]

(in the formula, R^L31And R^L32Each independently represents R in the general formula (L)^L1And R^L2Same meaning)

R^L31And R^L32Each independently preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

The compounds represented by the general formula (L-3) may be used alone, or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (L-3) is 0 mass% and the upper limit is 50 mass% with respect to the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 1% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 35% by mass.

When a high birefringence is obtained, if the content is set to a large amount, the effect is high, whereas when a high T is emphasized_NIIf the content is set to be small, the effect is high. Further, in order to improve the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (L-3) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by the formulae (L-3.1) to (L-3.7), and is preferably a compound represented by the formulae (L-3.1) to (L-3.4).

[ solution 107]

The compound represented by the general formula (L-4) is the following compound.

[ solution 108]

(in the formula, R^L41And R^L42Each independently represents R in the general formula (L)^L1And R^L2Same meaning)

R^L41Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, R^L42Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms)

The compounds represented by the general formula (L-4) may be used alone, or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

In the composition, the content of the compound represented by the general formula (L-4) is appropriately adjusted depending on the required properties such as solubility at low temperatures, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence, process adaptability, dropping marks, burn-in, dielectric anisotropy, and the like.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (L-4) is 0 mass% and the upper limit thereof is 35 mass% with respect to the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 1% by mass and the upper limit is more preferably 25% by mass.

The compound represented by the general formula (L-4) is preferably a compound represented by the formulae (L-4.1) to (L-4.3), for example.

[ solution 109]

The compound represented by the formula (L-4.1), the compound represented by the formula (L-4.2), both the compound represented by the formula (L-4.1) and the compound represented by the formula (L-4.2), or all of the compounds represented by the formulae (L-4.1) to (L-4.3) may be contained in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence, and the like.

The compound represented by the general formula (L-4) is preferably a compound represented by, for example, formulae (L-4.4) to (L-4.6), and is preferably a compound represented by formula (L-4.4).

[ solution 110]

The compound represented by the formula (L-4.4), the compound represented by the formula (L-4.5), or both the compound represented by the formula (L-4.4) and the compound represented by the formula (L-4.5) may be contained in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence, and the like.

The compound represented by the general formula (L-4) is preferably a compound represented by the formulae (L-4.7) to (L-4.10), and particularly preferably a compound represented by the formula (L-4.9).

[ solution 111]

The compound represented by the general formula (L-5) is the following compound.

[ solution 112]

(in the formula, R^L51And R^L52Each independently represents R in the general formula (L)^L1And R^L2Same meaning)

R^L51Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, R^L52Preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

The compound represented by the general formula (L-5) may be used alone, or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

In the composition, the content of the compound represented by the general formula (L-5) is appropriately adjusted depending on the required properties such as solubility at low temperatures, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence, process adaptability, dropping marks, burn-in, dielectric anisotropy, and the like.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (L-5) is 0 mass% and the upper limit is 50 mass% with respect to the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 1% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 35% by mass.

The compound represented by the general formula (L-5) is preferably a compound represented by the formula (L-5.1) or the formula (L-5.2), and particularly preferably a compound represented by the formula (L-5.1).

The preferable lower limit of the content of these compounds is 0 mass% and the upper limit thereof is 20 mass% with respect to the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compounds contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is more preferably 13% by mass.

[ solution 113]

The compound represented by the general formula (L-5) is preferably a compound represented by the formula (L-5.3) or the formula (L-5.4).

The lower limit of the preferable content of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention is 0 mass% and the upper limit thereof is 50 mass%. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 1% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 35% by mass.

[ chemical formula 114]

The compound represented by the general formula (L-5) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formulae (L-5.5) to (L-5.7), and particularly preferably a compound represented by the formula (L-5.7).

The preferable lower limit of the content of these compounds is 0 mass% and the upper limit thereof is 20 mass% with respect to the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compounds contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is more preferably 13% by mass.

[ solution 115]

The compound represented by the general formula (L-6) is the following compound.

[ solution 116]

(in the formula, R^L61And R^L62Each independently represents R in the general formula (L)^L1And R^L2Same meaning as X^L61And X^L62Each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom)

R^L61And R^L62Each independently preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably X^L61And X^L62One of them is a fluorine atom and the other is a hydrogen atom.

The compound represented by the general formula (L-6) may be used alone, or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (L-6) is 0 mass% and the upper limit thereof is 35 mass% with respect to the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit is more preferably 25% by mass. The content is preferably increased when the emphasis is on increasing Δ n, and the content is preferably decreased when the emphasis is on precipitation at low temperature.

The compound represented by the general formula (L-6) is preferably a compound represented by the formulae (L-6.1) to (L-6.9).

[ solution 117]

The kind of the compound which can be combined is not particularly limited, and 1 to 3 of these compounds are preferably contained, and 1 to 4 are more preferably contained. Further, since the selected compounds have a wide molecular weight distribution and are effective for solubility, it is preferable to select 1 compound from the compounds represented by the formula (L-6.1) or (L-6.2), 1 compound from the compounds represented by the formula (L-6.4) or (L-6.5), 1 compound from the compounds represented by the formula (L-6.6) or (L-6.7), 1 compound from the compounds represented by the formula (L-6.8) or (L-6.9), and appropriately combine them. Among them, preferred are compounds represented by the following formulae (L-6.1), (L-6.3), (L-6.4), (L-6.6) and (L-6.9).

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (L-6) is preferably a compound represented by, for example, formulae (L-6.10) to (L-6.17), and among them, a compound represented by formula (L-6.11) is preferable.

[ chemical formula 118]

The compound represented by the general formula (L-7) is the following compound.

[ solution 119]

(in the formula, R^L71And R^L72Each independently represents R in the general formula (L)^L1And R^L2Same meaning as A^L71And A^L72Each independently represents a group represented by the general formula (L)^L2And A^L3Same meaning as A^L71And A^L72May also be independently substituted by fluorine atoms, Z^L71Is represented by Z in the general formula (L)^L2Same meaning as X^L71And X^L72Each independently represents a fluorine atom or a hydrogen atom)

In the formula, R^L71And R^L72Each independently preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, A^L71And A^L72Each independently of the others is preferably 1, 4-cyclohexylene or 1, 4-phenylene, A^L71And A^L72May also be independently substituted by fluorine atoms, Z^L71Preferably a single bond or COO-, preferably a single bond, X^L71And X^L72Preferably a hydrogen atom.

The kind of the compound which can be combined is not particularly limited, and is combined in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The types of the compounds to be used are, for example, 1 type, 2 types, 3 types, and 4 types as one embodiment of the present invention.

In the composition, the content of the compound represented by the general formula (L-7) is appropriately adjusted depending on the required properties such as solubility at low temperatures, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence, process adaptability, dropping marks, burn-in, dielectric anisotropy, and the like.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (L-7) is 0 mass% and the upper limit is 25 mass% with respect to the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 15% by mass.

When a high T is desired for the composition_NIIn the case of the embodiment (2), the content of the compound represented by the formula (L-7) is preferably large, and in the case of an embodiment in which low viscosity is desired, the content is preferably small.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (L-7) is preferably a compound represented by the formulae (L-7.1) to (L-7.4), and is preferably a compound represented by the formula (L-7.2).

[ chemical formula 120]

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (L-7) is preferably a compound represented by the formulae (L-7.11) to (L-7.13), and is preferably a compound represented by the formula (L-7.11).

[ solution 121]

Further, the compounds represented by the general formula (L-7) are compounds represented by the formulae (L-7.21) to (L-7.23). Preferred is a compound represented by the formula (L-7.21).

[ chemical formula 122]

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (L-7) is preferably a compound represented by the formulae (L-7.31) to (L-7.34), and is preferably a compound represented by the formula (L-7.31) or/and (L-7.32).

[ solution 123]

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (L-7) is preferably a compound represented by the formulae (L-7.41) to (L-7.44), and is preferably a compound represented by the formula (L-7.41) or/and (L-7.42).

[ solution 124]

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (L-7) is preferably a compound represented by the formulae (L-7.51) to (L-7.53).

[ solution 125]

The compound represented by the general formula (L-8) is the following compound.

[ solution 126]

(in the formula, R^L81And R^L82Each independently represents R in the general formula (L)^L1And R^L2Same meaning as A^L81Represents a group represented by the general formula (L)^L1Same or single bond, A^L81Each hydrogen atom in (A) may be independently replaced by a fluorine atom, X^L81～X^L86Each independently represents a fluorine atom or a hydrogen atom)

In the formula, R^L81And R^L82Each independently preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, A^L81Preferably 1, 4-cyclohexylene or 1, 4-phenylene, A^L81And A^L82The hydrogen atoms in (A) may be independently substituted with fluorine atoms, and the number of fluorine atoms in the same ring structure in the general formula (L-8) is preferably 0 or 1, and the number of fluorine atoms in the molecule is preferably 0 or 1.

The kind of the compound which can be combined is not particularly limited, and is combined in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The types of the compounds to be used are, for example, 1 type, 2 types, 3 types, and 4 types as one embodiment of the present invention.

In the composition, the content of the compound represented by the general formula (L-8) is appropriately adjusted depending on the required properties such as solubility at low temperatures, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence, process adaptability, dropping marks, burn-in, dielectric anisotropy, and the like.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (L-8) is 0 mass% and the upper limit is 30 mass% with respect to the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is more preferably 20% by mass.

When a high T is desired for the composition_NIIn the embodiment (2), the content of the compound represented by the formula (L-8) is preferably large, and in the embodiment where low viscosity is desired, the content is preferably small.

Further, the compounds represented by the general formula (L-8) are preferably compounds represented by the formulae (L-8.1) to (L-8.4), and more preferably compounds represented by the formulae (L-8.3), (L-8.5), (L-8.6), (L-8.13), (L-8.16) to (L-8.18), and (L-8.23) to (L-8.28).

[ solution 127]

[ solution 128]

[ solution 129]

The compound represented by the general formula (L-9) is the following compound.

[ solution 130]

(in the formula, R^L91And R^L92Each independently represents R in the general formula (L)^L1And R^L2Same meaning)

R^L91And R^L92Independently of each other, preferably 1 to c5 alkyl, C4-5 alkenyl or C1-4 alkoxy.

The compound represented by the general formula (L-9) may be used alone, or 2 or more compounds may be used in combination. The kind of the compound which can be used in combination is not particularly limited, and it is suitably used in combination in accordance with the required performance such as solubility at low temperature, transition temperature, electrical reliability, birefringence and the like. The kind of the compound to be used is, for example, 1 kind, 2 kinds, 3 kinds, 4 kinds, 5 kinds or more as one embodiment of the present invention.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compound represented by the formula (L-9) is 0 mass% and the upper limit is 90 mass% with respect to the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 0% by mass and the upper limit thereof is more preferably 75% by mass.

When a high birefringence is obtained, if the content is set to a large amount, the effect is high, whereas when a high T is emphasized_NIIf the content is set to be small, the effect is high. Further, in order to improve the dropping mark and the burn-in characteristic, it is preferable to set the content range to the middle.

Further, the compound represented by the general formula (L-9) is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the formulae (L-9.1) to (L-9.4).

[ solution 131]

The lower limit of the preferable content of the total of the compounds represented by the general formulae (N) and (L) is 80 mass% and the upper limit thereof is 100 mass% with respect to the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 90% by mass and the upper limit thereof is preferably 100% by mass.

The lower limit of the preferable content of the compounds represented by general formulae (N-1-1) to (N-1-18) and general formulae (L-1) to (L-9) is 80% by mass and the upper limit thereof is 100% by mass, based on the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention. The lower limit of the content is more preferably 95% by mass, and the upper limit thereof is preferably 100% by mass.

The liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention is preferably a compound containing no structure in which oxygen atoms are bonded to each other, such as a peroxy (-CO-OO-) structure, in the molecule.

When importance is attached to the reliability and long-term stability of the composition, the content of the compound having a carbonyl group is preferably 5% by mass or less, more preferably 3% by mass or less, even more preferably 1% by mass or less, and most preferably substantially none, based on the total mass of the composition.

When importance is attached to the stability of UV irradiation, the content of the compound substituted with a chlorine atom is preferably 15% by mass or less, preferably 10% by mass or less, preferably 8% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or less, preferably 3% by mass or less, and further preferably substantially not contained, with respect to the total mass of the composition.

The content of the compound having 6-membered ring as the intramolecular ring structure is preferably increased, and the content of the compound having 6-membered ring as the intramolecular ring structure is preferably 80% by mass or more, more preferably 90% by mass or more, further preferably 95% by mass or more, and most preferably the composition is substantially composed of only the compound having 6-membered ring as the intramolecular ring structure.

In order to suppress deterioration of the composition due to oxidation, the content of the compound having a cyclohexenylene group as a ring structure is preferably small, and the content of the compound having a cyclohexenylene group is preferably 10% by mass or less, preferably 8% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or less, preferably 3% by mass or less, and further preferably substantially not contained, relative to the total mass of the composition.

Emphasis is placed on viscosity improvement and T_NIIn the case of (3), it is preferable that the content of the compound having 2-methylbenzene-1, 4-diyl in which hydrogen atoms are substituted with halogens in the molecule is small, and it is preferable that the compound has the above-mentioned structure in the moleculeThe content of the 2-methylbenzene-1, 4-diyl compound is 10% or less, preferably 8% or less, more preferably 5% or less, preferably 3% or less, and even more preferably substantially none, based on the total mass of the composition.

In the present application, the term "substantially not contained" means not contained unless it is contained.

In the case where the liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention has an alkenyl group as a side chain, the number of carbon atoms of the alkenyl group is preferably 2 to 5 in the case where the alkenyl group is bonded to cyclohexane, the number of carbon atoms of the alkenyl group is preferably 4 to 5 in the case where the alkenyl group is bonded to benzene, and it is preferable that an unsaturated bond of the alkenyl group is not directly bonded to benzene.

Average elastic constant (K) of liquid crystal composition for light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention_AVG) Preferably 10 to 25, as a lower limit value thereof, preferably 10, preferably 10.5, preferably 11, preferably 11.5, preferably 12, preferably 12.3, preferably 12.5, preferably 12.8, preferably 13, preferably 13.3, preferably 13.5, preferably 13.8, preferably 14, preferably 14.3, preferably 14.5, preferably 14.8, preferably 15, preferably 15.3, preferably 15.5, preferably 15.8, preferably 16, preferably 16.3, preferably 16.5, preferably 16.8, preferably 17, preferably 17.3, preferably 17.5, preferably 17.8, preferably 18; as its upper limit, it is preferably 25, preferably 24.5, preferably 24, preferably 23.5, preferably 23, preferably 22.8, preferably 22.5, preferably 22.3, preferably 22, preferably 21.8, preferably 21.5, preferably 21.3, preferably 21, preferably 20.8, preferably 20.5, preferably 20.3, preferably 20, preferably 19.8, preferably 19.5, preferably 19.3, preferably 19, preferably 18.8, preferably 18.5, preferably 18.3, preferably 18, preferably 17.8, preferably 17.5, preferably 17.3, preferably 17. When it is important to reduce power consumption, it is effective to suppress the amount of backlight light, and it is preferable to increase the transmittance of light in the liquid crystal display element, and for this reason, K is preferably used_AVGThe value of (c) is set lower. When the importance is placed on the improvement of the response speedIs selected as_AVGThe value of (c) is set higher.

(light scattering type liquid Crystal element)

A light scattering liquid crystal device using the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal device of the present invention includes a phase separated liquid crystal layer, a vertical alignment film, and an electrode.

The liquid crystal element of the present invention may be any liquid crystal element as long as it has the above-mentioned elements, and a specific embodiment is not particularly limited, and for example, a liquid crystal element may be configured such that a phase-separated liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between hollow elements composed of 2 transparent substrates having at least one electrode and a vertical alignment film.

The light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention maintains the vertical alignment of the phase separation liquid crystal layer in a power-off state. Therefore, the element can be used as an element which can be driven in a so-called reverse mode. That is, the liquid crystal element can be in a transparent state when no voltage is applied and in a scattering state when a voltage is applied.

The light scattering liquid crystal device of the present invention controls the alignment of liquid crystal molecules not only by the vertical alignment film but also by the dense polymer network composed of the alignment polymer. Therefore, the liquid crystal element of the present invention is less likely to suffer from alignment disorder due to external stress, and has high stress resistance. The liquid crystal element of the present invention is less likely to cause display defects even in an environment where bending stress is applied, and therefore can be formed into a bendable liquid crystal element. Therefore, the surface of the liquid crystal element of the invention can be a curved surface.

(vertical alignment film)

The vertical alignment (homeotropic alignment) film may be in direct contact with the composite liquid crystal composition or the phase-separated liquid crystal layer and has a function of inducing vertical alignment. As such an alignment film, a known alignment film can be used. The vertical alignment films are usually arranged in pairs so as to sandwich a liquid crystal phase. In the hollow element, normally, a vertical alignment film is disposed on each surface of a pair of substrates facing each other.

Examples of the alignment film include: polyimide alignment films, photo-alignment films, and the like. As a method for forming the alignment film, for example, in the case of a polyimide alignment film, the following methods can be mentioned: the polyimide resin composition is applied to a transparent base material, and heat-cured at a temperature of 180 ℃ or higher, and further subjected to a rubbing treatment with cotton cloth or rayon cloth. In addition, a polymer film such as a polyimide film which is not subjected to a rubbing treatment may be used. In particular, in order to exhibit vertical alignment properties, it is preferable to use a polyimide alignment film having vertical alignment properties without rubbing. Or preferably a photo-alignment film using vertical alignment. In addition, a spontaneous vertical alignment (PI-free) monomer capable of vertical alignment without using a vertically aligned polyimide alignment film may also be used. As the monomer for the spontaneous homeotropic alignment monomer, a known monomer can be used.

(electrode)

In the liquid crystal element of the present invention, the electrodes are provided so as to generate an electric field capable of controlling the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the phase-separated liquid crystal layer. The electric field strength is controlled by the degree of voltage application to the electrodes.

The shape of the electrode is not particularly limited, and the conductive portion may be a stripe shape, a mesh shape, or a random mesh shape. The electrodes are preferably of a so-called comb-like structure. When the electrode is used for a smart window or the like, it is preferably an electrode having the same shape as that of the smart window, which is generally called a solid electrode, and a pattern may be formed according to the purpose.

(transparent substrate)

As a material of the transparent substrate, glass, plastic, or the like can be used. From the viewpoint of applying the liquid crystal element of the present invention to a flexible display, the transparent substrate is preferably flexible.

(example of production of liquid Crystal element)

The light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention is preferably produced from a polymerizable liquid crystal element in which the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element is sandwiched between hollow elements from the viewpoint of productivity. In the polymerizable liquid crystal element, the liquid crystal compound or the polymerizable compound having a mesogen group in the composite liquid crystal composition is in a homeotropic alignment state by an alignment regulating force of the homeotropic alignment film. In this aligned state, the polymerizable compound in the composite liquid crystal composition is cured by ultraviolet light in the above-described manner to form a phase-separated liquid crystal layer from the composite liquid crystal composition, thereby obtaining a light scattering liquid crystal device.

The lamp used for the method of irradiating ultraviolet rays may be a metal halide lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, a UV-LED, or the like, and may be any device commonly used for ultraviolet polymerization. The ultraviolet intensity is preferably 1-100 mW/cm under 365nm sensor²More preferably 1 to 20mW/cm²And more preferably 2 to 10mW/cm². The ultraviolet irradiation energy is preferably 1 to 50J/cm²More preferably 2 to 20J/cm². The temperature of the ultraviolet ray irradiation is preferably 15 to 30 ℃.

The method of sandwiching the liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element between the hollow elements may be a usual method, and a vacuum injection method, an ODF method, or the like may be used. In the ODF method, a polymerizable liquid crystal element is produced by forming an epoxy-based photo-thermal and curable sealant into a closed loop bank on one of the substrates of the bottom plate and the front plate of the hollow element using a dispenser, dropping a predetermined amount of the composite liquid crystal composition under deaeration into the bank, and then joining the front plate and the bottom plate. The liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element used in the present invention has high phase stability and is difficult to volatilize, and therefore, can be suitably used in the ODF step. In the case of roll-to-roll production using a film substrate, a liquid crystal composition for a light scattering liquid crystal element may be dropped onto a base material by a simple dropping method and bonded to a counter substrate. In addition, a method of sealing the entire film by performing a lamination process in a subsequent step without a sealing structure may be employed.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the liquid crystal element of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention may be configured such that the alignment of liquid crystal molecules can be controlled by voltage application, and is preferably configured as a vertical electric field type liquid crystal element. The vertical electric field type liquid crystal element is a liquid crystal element in which electrodes are arranged so as to generate an electric field perpendicular to a vertical alignment film. In the vertical electric field type liquid crystal element, electrodes are generally provided on 2 transparent substrates sandwiching a phase separation liquid crystal layer.

Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of a vertical electric field type liquid crystal element when no voltage is applied. The vertical electric field type liquid crystal element of the present invention will be described below with reference to fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 1, the polymer network vertical electric field type liquid crystal device of the present invention has a structure including a first substrate 11 and a second substrate 12 each having a transparent electrode (layer) 2 made of a transparent conductive material, and a phase-separated liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12, and the liquid crystal molecules in the phase-separated liquid crystal layer are aligned substantially perpendicular to a vertical alignment film 3 when no voltage is applied. The phase-separated liquid crystal layer is composed of liquid crystal molecules 4 and an alignment polymer 5 contained in the liquid crystal composition. In fig. 1, the orientation polymer 5 is represented as a plurality of fixed polymerizable compounds for convenience, but actually, the polymerizable compounds are complexly crosslinked with each other to form a polymer network. Further, a pair of vertical alignment films 3 are formed on the surface of the transparent electrode (layer) 2 so as to be in direct contact with the phase-separated liquid crystal layer.

That is, the polymer network vertical electric field type liquid crystal device of the present invention has a structure in which a first substrate 11, an electrode 2, a vertical alignment film 3, a composite layer in which liquid crystal molecules 4 and an alignment polymer 5 are phase-separated, a vertical alignment film 3, an electrode 2, and a second substrate 12 are sequentially stacked.

Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the vertical electric field type element when a voltage is applied.

By applying a voltage to the electrodes, the vertical electric field type liquid crystal element is changed from the state of fig. 1 to the state of fig. 2. At this time, the liquid crystal molecules 4 are aligned in a parallel direction to the vertical alignment film due to the generation of the vertical electric field. In the vertical electric field type liquid crystal device shown in fig. 2, since the liquid crystal molecules 4 and the alignment polymer 5 in the phase-separated liquid crystal layer have different alignment directions, light scattering occurs at the interface between the respective components, and the vertical electric field type liquid crystal device is in a light-tight state.

Thus, the vertical electric field type liquid crystal element of the present invention can be used as a liquid crystal light control element incorporated in a device requiring a light control function or a liquid crystal display element used in a display for displaying an image, because the light transmission state is changed by the presence or absence of voltage application. In particular, the vertical electric field type liquid crystal element of the present invention can be driven in a reverse mode, and is therefore particularly suitable for applications requiring electric power saving, transparency in the case of power failure, or no power supply.

The polymer network vertical electric field type liquid crystal light control element is preferably used for, for example, building materials, light control glass, smart windows for vehicles, light control cells in OLED displays, and the like, and is particularly useful as a smart window in terms of high light scattering and reduction in driving voltage.

The vertical electric field type liquid crystal display element can be used in the same application as a conventional polymer dispersed liquid crystal display element, and can be preferably used in a transmission type display, a flexible display, and the like.

(other electric field type)

The light scattering liquid crystal element of the present invention may be of a transverse electric field type or other electric field type, in addition to the vertical electric field type. The fringe electric field used for the FFS drive mode can also be used.

Examples

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the compositions of the following examples and comparative examples, "mass%" means "mass%".

The evaluation characteristics in each of the examples and comparative examples are described in detail below.

Toff (0): light transmittance [% ] in the normal direction of the surface of the unit substrate when no voltage is applied (transparent state)

The larger the value, the higher the transparency.

Toff (35): light transmittance [% ] in a direction inclined by 35 degrees from the normal line of the unit substrate surface when no voltage is applied (transparent state)

In addition, the larger the numerical value, the higher the transparency even in an oblique direction

Δ Toff: the difference between the light transmittance in the normal direction of the cell substrate surface when no voltage is applied (transparent state) and the light transmittance in the direction inclined by 35 degrees from the normal of the cell substrate surface when no voltage is applied (transparent state)

The smaller the numerical value, the more the difference between the transparency in the oblique direction and the transparency in the normal direction, and therefore the transparency is uniform regardless of the observation direction.

Ton (0): saturated light transmittance [% ] in the normal direction of the surface of the unit substrate when a voltage is applied (scattering state)

V90: applied voltage [ V ] when 90% of the range of light transmittance changes passes through

V10: applied voltage [ V ] when 10% of the range of light transmittance changes passes through

Contrast ratio: toff (0)/Ton (0)

Haze: the ratio of diffuse light transmittance to total light transmittance

The smaller the numerical value, the higher the transparency.

The structures of the polymerizable compounds (1-A) to (10-B) used in the examples and comparative examples are as follows.

[ solution 132]

N in the polymerizable compound (2-E) represents n ≈ 7-8.

[ solution 133]

[ solution 134]

The liquid crystal compositions "L-1" to "L-7" exhibiting negative dielectric anisotropy used in the examples and comparative examples are shown below (mass%).

(liquid crystal composition "" L-1 "")

[ solution 135]

(liquid crystal composition "" L-2 "")

[ solution 136]

(liquid crystal composition "" L-3 "")

[ solution 137]

(liquid crystal composition "" L-4 "")

[ 138]

(liquid crystal composition "" L-5 "")

[ solution 139]

(liquid crystal composition "" L-6 "")

[ solution 140]

(liquid crystal composition "" L-7 "")

[ solution 141]

The polymerizable composition "a 1" was prepared so that the content (mass%) of each component of the polymerizable compound was as follows.

The polymerizable compositions "a 1" to "a 26" used in the examples and comparative examples are shown below (mass%).

(polymerizable composition "A1")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 50 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 35 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-C): 15 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A2")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 30 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 35 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-a): 20 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-C): 15 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A3")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 40 percent of

Polymerizable compound (1-B): 15 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 30 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-C): 15 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A4")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 50 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 50 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A5")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 60 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 40 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A6")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 50 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 35 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-D): 15 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A7")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 60 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-C): 20 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-D): 20 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A8")

Polymerizable compound (1-B): 100 percent

(polymerizable composition "A9")

Polymerizable compound (1-B): 60 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-C): 40 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A10")

Polymerizable compound (1-B): 60 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-C): 20 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-D): 20 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A11")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 25 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 75 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A12")

Polymerizable compound (1-B): 46.6 percent

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 53.4 percent

(polymerizable composition "A13")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 30 percent of

Polymerizable compound (1-B): 30 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 40 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A14")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 50 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 40 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-E): 10 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A15")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 50 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 40 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-F): 10 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A16")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 50 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 40 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-G): 10 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A17")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 50 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 40 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-H): 10 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A18")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 50 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 40 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-I): 10 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A19")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 50 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 40 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-J): 10 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A20")

Polymerizable compound (1-B): 46.6 percent

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 43.4 percent

Polymerizable compound (2-B): 10 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A21")

Polymerizable compound (1-B): 46.6 percent

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 43.4 percent

Polymerizable compound (2-C): 10 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A22")

Polymerizable compound (3-a): 100 percent

(polymerizable composition "A23")

Polymerizable compound (3-a): 60 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-C): 40 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A24")

Polymerizable compound (3-a): 60 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-C): 20 percent of

Polymerizable compound (3-D): 20 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A25")

Polymerizable compound (3-C): 100 percent

(polymerizable composition "A26")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 30 percent of

Polymerizable compound (1-B): 30 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-a): 20 percent of

Polymerizable compound (2-D): 20 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A27")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 50 percent of

Polymerizable compound (1-E): 50 percent of

(polymerizable composition "A28")

Polymerizable compound (1-a): 50 percent of

Polymerizable compound (1-F): 50 percent of

(example 1)

A liquid crystal composition for a light scattering type liquid crystal cell (polymerizable liquid crystal composition) was prepared by mixing 92 mass% of the liquid crystal composition "L-1", 7.76 mass% of the polymerizable composition "A1", and 0.24 mass% of benzildimethyl ketal as a polymerization initiator. The obtained polymerizable liquid crystal composition exhibits a nematic phase at normal temperature.

The following liquid crystal cells were prepared: a set of 2 substrates each having a thickness of about 0.1 μm and formed of a polyimide alignment film material for vertical alignment and having a rectangular ITO transparent electrode was opposed to each other at a gap of 5 μm.

The prepared polymerizable liquid crystal composition was injected into the cell by a vacuum injection method. After about 10 minutes from the injection, the alignment state in the cell was confirmed, and as a result, it was confirmed that the polymerizable liquid crystal composition was uniformly aligned in the vertical direction.

Then, the filled liquid crystal cell thus produced was irradiated with ultraviolet rays while being maintained at 25 ± 1 ℃, and the polymerizable monomer was polymerized to form a phase-separated liquid crystal layer from the polymerizable liquid crystal composition, thereby producing a light scattering liquid crystal element. At this time, a metal halide lamp was used as an ultraviolet light source at 8.6mW/cm²The ultraviolet ray was irradiated for 240 seconds (total of 2.1J/cm)²The accumulated energy of). The illuminance was measured using a UNIMETER UIT-101 with a photodetector UVD-365PD manufactured by USHIO INC.

The obtained liquid crystal cell exhibited a transparent state when no voltage was applied, no scattering was observed, and it was confirmed that the liquid crystal was in a vertical orientation.

For the measurement of the voltage-transmittance characteristics, a device having a light projector on one substrate surface side of the liquid crystal element and a light receiver on the other substrate surface side is used, and the condition that no polarizing plate is used above and below the liquid crystal element is set. The determination was carried out by the following method: at a measurement temperature of 25 ℃, a rectangular wave was applied between electrodes of the liquid crystal element, and the voltage was increased stepwise in a range from 0V to a point where the change in transmittance became saturated, and the transmittance detected by a light receiver disposed on the side opposite to the light projector with respect to the liquid crystal element was recorded. It was confirmed that as the voltage was increased, the light scattering was increased and the transmittance was gradually decreased. The transmittance was measured in the case where the light projection/reception direction was normal (0 °) to the substrate of the liquid crystal element and in the case where the direction was inclined 35 degrees from the normal (35 °). The liquid crystal characteristic measurement device LCD-5200 (manufactured by tsukak electronics) was used for measurement of the voltage-transmittance characteristic.

The transmittances Toff, Ton and V10 were obtained from the voltage-transmittance characteristic curve.

The transmittance Toff (0) in the normal (0 °) direction when no application was performed was 87.3%, the saturation transmittance Ton (0) when application was performed was 28.0%, and the applied voltage V10 when 10% of the transmittance change width was transmitted was 17V. The non-application-time transmittance Toff (35) in the direction inclined (35 °) from the normal line was 84.7%.

Further, the haze (Hz) of the liquid crystal cell when the measurement light was made incident in the normal direction with respect to the substrate of the liquid crystal cell was measured using a haze meter (NDH-2000 manufactured by japan electro-chromic industries, inc.). The haze value was determined from the total light transmittance (TT) and the parallel light transmittance (PT) by the following equation.

Hz＝[{TT－PT}/TT]×100 (％)

The haze of the liquid crystal cell was determined to be 1.0%.

(example 2 to example 25, comparative example 1 to comparative example 4)

Liquid crystal compositions (polymerizable liquid crystal compositions) for polymer network liquid crystal devices were prepared under the same conditions as in example 1, except that the liquid crystal compositions, polymerizable compositions, and initiators shown in the following tables were used in the proportions shown in the following tables in examples 2 to 25 and comparative examples 1 to 4. The obtained polymerizable liquid crystal composition exhibits a nematic phase at normal temperature.

Further, as a result of measurement under the same conditions as in example 1, the transmission rate Toff (0) when no application is performed in the normal line (0 °), the saturated transmission rate Ton (0) when application is performed, the applied voltage V10 when 10% of the transmission rate variation width is transmitted, the transmission rate Toff (35) when no application is performed in the direction inclined from the normal line (35 °), and the haze of the obtained liquid crystal element were each a numerical value shown in the following table.

The evaluation results of examples 1 to 28 and comparative examples 1 to 4 are listed in the following table. The evaluation criteria are as follows.

Haze degree

Very good: less than 0.5

O: 0.5 or more and less than 1.6

And (delta): 1.6 or more and less than 4.0

X: 4.0 or more

ΔToff

Very good: less than 2.0

O: 2.0 or more and less than 3.0

And (delta): 3.0 or more and less than 4.0

X: 4.0 or more

Contrast ratio

Very good: 12.0 or more

O: 4.0 or more and less than 12.0

And (delta): 2.0 or more and less than 4.0

X: less than 2.0

Drive voltage V10

Very good: less than 16

O: 16 or more and less than 31

And (delta): 31 or more and less than 46

X: more than 46

In examples 24 to 26, adhesion to the substrate was also evaluated. The evaluation criteria are as follows.

Very good: after storage at 85 ℃ for 500 hours, the film was not peeled off from the substrate

O: after storage at 85 ℃ for 100 hours at high temperature, the film was not peeled off from the substrate

X: peeling from the substrate after storage at high temperature of 85 ℃ for 24 hours

[ Table 1]

[ Table 2]

[ Table 3]

[ Table 4]

[ Table 5]

[ Table 6]

[ Table 7]

In general, in a light scattering liquid crystal element, transparency (haze and Δ Toff), contrast, and driving voltage are in a relationship that cannot be satisfied at the same time. However, according to the above results, they were all maintained at high levels in the examples. The liquid crystal element of the present embodiment is particularly useful for applications such as a see-through TV (see-through TV), a window display, a smart window, and other optical control drive panels requiring high transparency because of its practical transparency.

From the above results, comparative example 1 was inferior to the above examples in all of transparency, contrast, and driving voltage. The reason for this is not clear, but it is presumed that the reason is that the mesomorphic skeleton represented by the general formula (1) having Z in the mesomorphic skeleton is not used in comparative examples 1 to 4¹Since the polymerizable compound having a flexible mesomorphic structure of (a) is used and the polymerizable compound having a rigid mesomorphic skeleton is used, strong intermolecular interaction occurs between the driven host liquid crystal and the rigid polymer network when the polymer network is formed.

In a liquid crystal element formed using a liquid crystal composition having a negative dielectric anisotropy, liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a direction substantially parallel to a substrate surface when a voltage is applied, but the long axes of the molecules can freely rotate about a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface as a rotation axis. Therefore, it is considered that the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal element are randomly arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the substrate surface as shown in fig. 3. As a result, it is considered that a refractive index difference is generated not only between the liquid crystal molecules and the mesogenic groups of the alignment polymer but also between the liquid crystal molecules, and light scattering is effectively obtained in the entire phase-separated liquid crystal layer.

Description of the symbols

11: a first transparent substrate

12: a second transparent substrate

2: electrode for electrochemical cell

3: horizontal alignment film

4: liquid crystal molecules

5: orienting polymer