| abstract |
Disclosed is a liquid crystalline compound which is stable against heat, light or the like and has a nematic phase in a wide temperature range, while having a low viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, an adequate elastic constant K 33 , an adequate negative dielectric anisotropy and excellent compatibility with other liquid crystalline compounds. A liquid crystal composition containing the liquid crystalline compound, and a liquid crystal display element containing the liquid crystal composition are also disclosed. The liquid crystalline compound is represented by formula (a). In formula (a), R 1 and R 2 each represents an alkyl having 1-10 carbon atoms, an alkenyl having 2-10 carbon atoms or an alkoxy having 1-9 carbon atoms; ring A 1 and ring A 2 each represents 1,4-phenylene or trans-1,4-cyclohexylene; L 1 and L 2 each represents a hydrogen or a fluorine, and at least one of L 1 and L 2 is a fluorine; and Z 1 and Z 2 each represents a single bond, -(CH 2 ) 2 -, -CH=CH-, -CH 2 O- or -OCH 2 -. |