Synthesis and Properties of Optically Active α-Aryl-γ-alkyl-γ-lactones as Chiral Dopants for Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals

Abstract
Optically active α-aryl-γ-alkyl-γ-lactones were synthesized from chiral epichlorohydrin in several steps and found to be good chiral dopants for ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs). Relationship between molecular structures and properties is discussed.