Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device

1. A liquid crystal composition comprising at least one compound represented by formula (1) as a first component and at least one compound selected from each group of compounds represented by formulas (2) and (3) as a second component, but not containing a compound represented by formula (4), and having a negative dielectric anisotropy:

wherein R 1 is alkyl or alkenyl; R 2 is alkyl or alkoxy; R 3 is alkyl or alkoxymethyl; R 4 is alkyl; R 6 is alkyl, alkenyl or alkoxy; A 1 and A 2 are independently 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; A 3 is 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene; Z 1 is a single bond or —COO—; and n is 0 or 1.

2. A liquid crystal composition consisting essentially of at least one compound represented by formula (1) as a first component and at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2) and (3) as a second component:

wherein R 1 is alkyl or alkenyl; R 2 is alkyl or alkoxy; R 3 is alkyl or alkoxymethyl; R 4 is alkyl; A 1 and A 2 are independently 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; A 3 is 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene; Z 1 is a single bond or —COO—; and n is 0 or 1.

3. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 , wherein the first component is in a range of from approximately 35% to approximately 90% by weight, and the second component is in a range of from approximately 10% to approximately 65% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds.

4. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 , wherein the first component is in a range of from approximately 35% to approximately 90% by weight, and the second component is in a range of from approximately 10% to approximately 65% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds.

5. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises at least one compound represented by formula (2) and at least one compound represented by formula (3) as the second component.

6. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 5 , wherein the first component is in a range of from approximately 35% to approximately 90% by weight, the compound represented by formula (2) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 35% by weight, and the compound represented by formula (3) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds.

7. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 5 , wherein the first component is in a range of from approximately 35% to approximately 90% by weight, the compound represented by formula (2) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 35% by weight, and the compound represented by formula (3) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds.

8. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least one compound represented by formula (1-2) and at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (1-3) and (1-4) as the first component, and at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) and at least one compound represented by formula (3-1) as the second component:

wherein R 4 and R 5 are independently alkyl; and R 7 is alkenyl.

9. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises at least one compound represented by formula (1-2) and at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (1-3) and (1-4) as the first component, and at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) and at least one compound represented by formula (3-1) as the second component:

wherein R 4 and R 5 are independently alkyl; and R 7 is alkenyl.

10. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 8 , wherein the compound represented by formula (1-2) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 30% to approximately 65% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (1-3) and (1-4) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 25% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 35% by weight, and the compound represented by formula (3-1) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds.

11. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 9 , wherein the compound represented by formula (1-2) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 30% to approximately 65% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (1-3) and (1-4) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 25% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 35% by weight, and the compound represented by formula (3-1) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds.

12. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least one compound represented by formula (1-2) and at least one compound represented by formula (1-4) as the first component, and at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) and at least one compound represented by formula (3-1) as the second component:

wherein R 4 and R 5 are independently alkyl; and R 7 is alkenyl.

13. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises at least one compound represented by formula (1-2) and at least one compound represented by formula (1-4) as the first component, and at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) and at least one compound represented by formula (3-1) as the second component:

wherein R 4 and R 5 are independently alkyl; and R 7 is alkenyl.

14. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 12 , wherein the compound represented by formula (1-2) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 30% to approximately 65% by weight, the compound represented by formula (1-4) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 25% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 35% by weight, and the compound represented by formula (3-1) of the second component in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds.

15. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 13 , wherein the compound represented by formula (1-2) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 30% to approximately 65% by weight, the compound represented by formula (1-4) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 25% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 35% by weight, and the compound represented by formula (3-1) of the second component in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds.

16. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least one compound represented by formula (1-2), at least one compound represented by formula (1-3) and at least one compound represented by formula (1-4) as the first component, and at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) and at least one compound represented by formula (3-1) as the second component:

wherein R 4 and R 5 are independently alkyl; and R 7 is alkenyl.

17. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises at least one compound represented by formula (1-2), at least one compound represented by formula (1-3) and at least one compound represented by formula (1-4) as the first component, and at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) and at least one compound represented by formula (3-1) as the second component:

wherein R 4 and R 5 are independently alkyl; and R 7 is alkenyl.

18. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 16 , wherein the compound represented by formula (1-2) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 30% to approximately 65% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (1-3) and (1-4) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 25% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 35% by weight, and the compound represented by formula (3-1) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds.

19. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 17 , wherein the compound represented by formula (1-2) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 30% to approximately 65% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (1-3) and (1-4) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 25% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 35% by weight, and the compound represented by formula (3-1) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds.

20. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least one compound represented by formula (1-2) and at least one compound represented by formula (1-4) as the first component, and at least one compound represented by formula (2-2), at least one compound represented by formula (2-3) and at least one compound represented by formula (3-1) as the second component, and the compound represented by formula (1-2) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 30% to approximately 65% by weight, the compound represented by formula (1-4) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 25% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 35% by weight, and the compound represented by formula (3-1) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds:

wherein R 4 and R 5 are independently alkyl; and R 7 is alkenyl.

21. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises at least one compound represented by formula (1-2) and at least one compound represented by formula (1-4) as the first component, and at least one compound represented by formula (2-2), at least one compound represented by formula (2-3) and at least one compound represented by formula (3-1) as the second component, and the compound represented by formula (1-2) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 30% to approximately 65% by weight, the compound represented by formula (1-4) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 25% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 35% by weight, and the compound represented by formula (3-1) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds:

wherein R 4 and R 5 are independently alkyl; and R 7 is alkenyl.

22. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least one compound represented by formula (1-2), at least one compound represented by formula (1-3) and at least one compound represented by formula (1-4) as the first component, and at least one compound represented by formula (2-2), at least one compound represented by formula (2-3) and at least one compound represented by formula (3-1) as the second component, and the compound represented by formula (1-2) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 30% to approximately 65% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (1-3) and (1-4) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 25% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 35% by weight, and the compound represented by formula (3-1) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds:

wherein R 4 and R 5 are independently alkyl; and R 7 is alkenyl.

23. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises at least one compound represented by formula (1-2), at least one compound represented by formula (1-3) and at least one compound represented by formula (1-4) as the first component, and at least one compound represented by formula (2-2), at least one compound represented by formula (2-3) and at least one compound represented by formula (3-1) as the second component, and the compound represented by formula (1-2) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 30% to approximately 65% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (1-3) and (1-4) of the first component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 25% by weight, the compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2-2) and (2-3) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 35% by weight, and the compound represented by formula (3-1) of the second component is in a range of from approximately 5% to approximately 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds:

wherein R 4 and R 5 are independently alkyl; and R 7 is alkenyl.

24. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an antioxidant.

25. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 , wherein the composition further comprises an antioxidant.

26. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 22 , wherein the composition further comprises an antioxidant.

27. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 23 , wherein the composition further comprises an antioxidant.

28. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 24 , wherein the antioxidant is a compound represented by formula (7):

wherein m is an integer from 1 to 9.

29. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 25 , wherein the antioxidant is a compound represented by formula (7):

wherein m is an integer from 1 to 9.

30. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 26 , wherein the antioxidant is a compound represented by formula (7):

wherein m is an integer from 1 to 9.

31. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 27 , wherein the antioxidant is a compound represented by formula (7):

wherein m is an integer from 1 to 9.

32. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 24 , wherein the antioxidant is in a range of from approximately 50 ppm to approximately 600 ppm based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds.

33. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 25 , wherein the antioxidant is in a range of from approximately 50 ppm to approximately 600 ppm based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds.

34. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 26 , wherein the antioxidant is in a range of from approximately 50 ppm to approximately 600 ppm based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds.

35. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 27 , wherein the antioxidant is in a range of from approximately 50 ppm to approximately 600 ppm based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds.

36. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 28 , wherein the antioxidant is in a range of from approximately 50 ppm to approximately 600 ppm based on the total weight of the liquid crystal compounds.

37. A liquid display device comprising the liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 .

38. A liquid display device comprising the liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 .

39. A liquid display device comprising the liquid crystal composition according to claim 22 .

40. A liquid display device comprising the liquid crystal composition according to claim 23 .

41. A liquid crystal composition comprising at least one compound represented by formula (1) as a first component and at least one compound represented by formula (3) as a second component, but not containing a compound represented by formula (4), and having a negative dielectric anisotropy:

wherein R 1 alkyl or alkenyl; R 2 alkyl or alkoxy; R 3 is alkyl or alkoxymethyl; R 4 is alkyl; R 6 is alkyl, alkenyl or alkoxy; A 1 and A 2 are independently 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; A 3 is 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or 2-flouro-1,4-phenylene; Z 1 is a single bond or —COO—; and n is 0 or 1.