The liquid crystal composition and a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a base liquid crystal composition having a low melting point used in a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition, and provide a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition having a low melting point. SOLUTION: The liquid crystal composition contains a compound given by formulae (I) and (II), where R 1 and R 2 represent independently a straight-chain 1-15C alkyl group while R 3 represents a straight-chain 6C, 7C, or 8C alkyl group. The invention also includes a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition containing the described liquid crystal composition and an optical active compound, and a liquid crystal display element using the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition. These liquid crystal composition and ferroelectric liquid crystal composition are featured by a low melting point, and can preclude effectively the crystal precipitation when they are preserved at a low temperature. The ferroelectric liquid crystal composition is extremely useful when used as a constituent member of a ferroelectric liquid crystal display. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT