| abstract |
An optically active, generally mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R 1 denotes an alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms, R 2 denotes an alkyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms; X denotes a single bond, --O--, ##STR2## Y denotes a single bond, ##STR3## --CH 2 O-- or --OCH 2 --; Z denotes --OCH 2 --, ##STR4## C* denotes an asymmetric carbon atom; k, m and n are respectively 0, 1 or 2 with proviso that k+m+n amounts to 2 or 3; and p is 1 or 2. |