JP2002179670A - Optically active compound, photo-reactive chiral agent, liquid crystal composition, method for changing spiral structure of liquid crystal, method for fixing spiral structure of liquid crystal, liquid crystal color filter, optical film and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an optically active compound useful as a photo-reactive chiral agent enabling photoisomerization and capable of remarkably changing the spiral structure (twisting force and twist angle) of a liquid crystal by light irradiation when added to the liquid crystal, a photo-reactive chiral agent composed of the optically active compound, a liquid crystal composition incorporated with the optically active compound, a liquid crystal color filter, an optical film and a recording medium, and to provide a method for changing the spiral structure of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal composition incorporated with the optically active compound and a method for fixing the spiral structure. SOLUTION: The optically active compound is expressed by formula (1) [Ar is an aryl or a heterocyclic group; R is an alkoxycarbonyl, an aryloxycarbonyl, an aryl, a heterocyclic group, carbamoyl or cyano; L is a bivalent group; and a binaphthyl group has (R) or (S) axial asymmetry].

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a novel optically active compound, a photoreactive chiral agent for changing the helical structure of a liquid crystal,
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal composition, an optical film, a liquid crystal color filter, a recording medium, a method for changing a twist structure of a liquid crystal spiral, and a method for fixing the spiral structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, liquid crystal materials such as cholesteric liquid crystals having a helical structure and exhibiting various selective reflection colors due to the twisting force (twist angle) of the spiral have attracted attention. Because of its excellent color purity of reflected light, it is widely used for optical films, liquid crystal color filters, recording media, and the like. For example, a color filter used for a color liquid crystal display or the like generally includes red (R), green (G), and blue (B) pixels, and a black matrix for improving display contrast is formed between the pixels. It is composed. Conventionally, such color filters are mainly those in which a pigment is dispersed in a resin or dyes are dyed, and the production method is also such that a colored resin liquid is applied onto a glass substrate by spin coating or the like. In general, a method of forming a color resist layer and performing patterning by a photolithography method to form a color filter pixel or printing a color pixel directly on a substrate has been common.

[0003] However, for example, the manufacturing method by the printing method has a disadvantage that it is difficult to form a high-definition image pattern with a low pixel resolution, and the manufacturing method by the spin coating method causes a large material loss and a large loss. There is a drawback that coating unevenness when coating on a substrate having a large area is large. Further, according to the production method by the electrodeposition method, it is possible to obtain a color filter having relatively high resolution and less unevenness of the colored layer, but has a disadvantage that the production process is complicated and liquid management is difficult. As described above, as a process for manufacturing a color filter, there has been a demand for a manufacturing method capable of easily and easily manufacturing a high-quality color filter with little material loss.

On the other hand, the performance of a color filter is required to be high in transmittance and color purity. In recent years, a method using a dye has been optimizing a type of a dye and a dyeing resin, and a method using a pigment has become more difficult. The use of finely dispersed pigments has improved the above requirements. However, in recent liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, the requirements for the transmittance and color purity of color filters are extremely high. Particularly, in color filters for reflective LCDs, white display of paper white, contrast, and color reproducibility are both compatible. Is difficult, but in the conventional manufacturing method,
Color filters manufactured by dyeing a dye in a resin or dispersing a pigment are all light-absorbing color filters, so the improvement in color purity by further improving transmittance is almost at its limit. Had reached.

Under such circumstances, a polarization type color filter mainly comprising cholesteric liquid crystal has been known. This polarization-based color filter reflects a certain amount of light and transmits the rest to display an image, so it has high light use efficiency and is superior to the light absorption type color filter in terms of transmittance and color purity. It has the performance which it did. On the other hand, in the manufacturing method, from the viewpoint of obtaining a uniform thickness, a method of forming a film on a substrate by using a spin coating method or the like has been generally performed. Was disadvantageous.

A method using a photoreactive chiral compound as a means for solving the above problems and ensuring uniformity of the color purity and the like of the color filter film and reducing the number of manufacturing steps can be realized. Useful. In this method, when a liquid crystal composition containing a photoreactive chiral compound is irradiated with light having a reaction wavelength of the chiral compound in a pattern, the reaction of the chiral compound proceeds according to the intensity of the irradiation energy, and Since the helical pitch (helical twist angle) changes, the principle is used that a selective reflection color is formed for each pixel only by pattern exposure with a light amount difference. That is, there is an advantage that the number of times of patterning at the time of forming the color filter can be completed by one mask exposure using masks having different transmitted light amounts. Therefore, a film functioning as a color filter can be formed by immobilizing the patterned cholesteric liquid crystal compound after patterning by imagewise light irradiation. This can be applied to optical films, image recording, and the like.

In particular, when a color filter is manufactured by a single mask exposure, B (blue), G (green),
It is desired that three primary colors (red) can be formed with high color purity by one exposure. However, when the rate of change of the twist of the liquid crystal is small, sufficient color purity cannot be obtained. Therefore, from the viewpoint of displaying three primary colors having high color purity in one exposure, practically, as a photoreactive chiral compound to be used, the twisting force of the helical structure of the liquid crystal compound can be greatly changed. It is necessary to use a chiral compound (chiral agent) having a large value. In other words, by using a chiral compound having a large twist change rate, the width of the hue selectively reflected by the change in the amount of light is expanded.

The applicant of the present invention has a photoreactivity capable of changing the torsional force (twist angle) of the liquid crystal depending on the amount of light to be irradiated, and has a large change rate of the torsional force (twist angle).
In particular, in the case of a cholesteric liquid crystal phase, the wavelength range in which selective reflection can be performed is wide and various selective reflections are exhibited, and the three primary colors (B, G,
Application for a photoreactive chiral agent (optically active compound) capable of displaying R) with high color purity (Japanese Patent Application 20
00-193142, Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-193143
) Is expected to develop yet another type of chiral compound. By the way, "liquid Cryst
als "1996, 21, 327 and 1998.
24, 219, 2,2'-methylenedioxy-
It is described that introduction of a substituent at the 6-position and 6'-position of 1,1'-binaphthol may increase HTP, but the described substituents at the 6-position and 6'-position are as follows:
The structure is different from the substituents at the 6-position and the 6′-position of the optically active compound of the present invention described later, and nothing is described about photoreactivity.

[0009]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a photoisomerizable compound which can be added to a liquid crystal compound.
An optically active compound useful as a photoreactive chiral agent capable of greatly changing the helical structure (twisting force, torsion angle) of liquid crystal by light irradiation, a photoreactive chiral agent comprising the optically active compound, and the optical An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal color filter, an optical film, and a recording medium to which an active compound has been added. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for changing the helical structure of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal composition to which the optically active compound is added, and a method for fixing the helical structure.

[0010]

Means for solving the above problems are as follows. That is, (1) an optically active compound represented by the following general formula (1).

[0011]

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[Wherein, Ar represents an aryl group or a heterocyclic group, R represents an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, a carbamoyl group or a cyano group, and L represents a divalent group. Represents a group of The binaphthyl moiety has either (R) or (S) axial asymmetry. ]

(2) A photoreactive chiral agent comprising the optically active compound described in (1). (3) A liquid crystal composition containing at least one liquid crystal compound and at least one optically active compound according to (1). (4) a liquid crystalline compound having at least one polymerizable group,
A liquid crystal composition containing a photopolymerization initiator and at least one optically active compound according to the above (1). (5) The liquid crystal composition according to (4), wherein the photopolymerization initiator and the optically active compound according to (1) have different photosensitive wavelength ranges.

(6) The liquid crystal composition according to any one of the above (3) to (5) is irradiated with light to change the structure of the optically active compound according to the above (1), thereby obtaining a liquid crystal. How to change the helical structure. (7) The liquid crystal composition according to (4) or (5),
A liquid crystal comprising a step of irradiating light in the photosensitive wavelength range of the photopolymerization initiator after imagewise irradiating light in the photosensitive wavelength range of the optically active compound according to (1), and performing photopolymerization. To fix the spiral structure of

(8) A liquid crystal color filter containing at least a liquid crystal compound and at least one optically active compound described in (1). (9) An optical film containing at least one liquid crystalline compound and at least one optically active compound according to (1). (10) A recording medium containing at least one liquid crystalline compound and at least one optically active compound according to (1).

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in order. <Optically Active Compound> The optically active compound of the present invention is a compound represented by the general formula (1). The optically active compound of the present invention has a photoisomerizable group in the molecule, is capable of photoisomerization, and when added to a liquid crystal, increases the helical structure (twisting force, twist angle) of the liquid crystal by light irradiation. It is a compound useful as a photoreactive chiral agent that can be changed. It can also be used as a normal optically active compound,
It can be applied to a helical structure inducer in an STN element or a TN element.

In the above formula (1), Ar represents an aryl group or a heterocyclic group, R represents an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, a carbamoyl group or a cyano group; L represents a divalent group. The binaphthyl moiety has either (R) or (S) axial asymmetry.

The aryl group of Ar may have a substituent, and preferably has 6 to 40 carbon atoms, particularly preferably 6 to 30 carbon atoms. As the substituent, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group,
An alkoxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, and a cyano group are preferable, and among them, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, and an alkoxy group are particularly preferable. Examples of such an aryl group include a phenyl group, a β-naphthyl group, a 4-methylphenyl group, a 4-vinylphenyl group, a 4-butyloxyphenyl group, a 4-benzoyloxyphenyl group, and the like.

The heterocyclic group represented by Ar may have a substituent, and preferably has 4 to 40 carbon atoms, particularly preferably 4 to 40 carbon atoms.
~ 30 are preferred. As the substituent, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an alkoxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, and a cyano group are preferable. Groups are preferred. As such a heterocyclic group, a pyridyl group, a pyrimidinyl group, a furyl group, and a benzofuranyl group are preferable, and a pyridyl group and a pyrimidinyl group (such as a 2-pyrimidinyl group) are particularly preferable. Such Ar
Among them, an aryl group is particularly preferable.

The alkoxycarbonyl group represented by R may have a substituent, and preferably has 2 to 30 carbon atoms, particularly preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms. As the substituent, a halogen atom, an aryl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an alkoxy group, an acyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, and a cyano group are preferable, and among them, a halogen atom, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, and an acyloxy group are particularly preferable. Is preferred. Examples of such an alkoxycarbonyl group include a methoxycarbonyl group, a decyloxycarbonyl group, a trifluoroethoxycarbonyl group, a methoxyethoxycarbonyl group, an acetyloxyethoxycarbonyl group, and the like.

The aryloxycarbonyl group of R is
It may have a substituent and preferably has 5 to 40 carbon atoms, particularly preferably 5 to 30 carbon atoms. As the substituent, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group,
Alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, alkoxy groups, acyl groups, alkoxycarbonyl groups, aryloxycarbonyl groups, acyloxy groups, cyano groups are preferred, and especially halogen atoms, alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, aryloxycarbonyl groups, acyloxy, cyano groups are preferred. preferable. Examples of such an aryloxycarbonyl group include a phenoxycarbonyl group, a biphenyloxycarbonyl group, a β-naphthyloxycarbonyl group, a 4-phenoxycarbonylphenoxycarbonyl group, a methoxyphenoxycarbonyl group, and the like.

The aryl group represented by R may have a substituent, and preferably has 6 to 40 carbon atoms, particularly preferably 6 to 40 carbon atoms.
~ 30 are preferred. As the substituent, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an alkoxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, and a cyano group are preferable. Groups, alkoxy groups and acyloxy groups are preferred. Examples of such an aryl group include a phenyl group, β
-Naphthyl group, 4-methylphenyl group, 4-vinylphenyl group, 4-butyloxyphenyl group, 4-benzoyloxyphenyl group and the like.

The heterocyclic group represented by R may have a substituent, and preferably has 4 to 40 carbon atoms, particularly preferably 4 to 40 carbon atoms.
30 are preferred. As the substituent, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an alkoxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, and a cyano group are preferable. Groups, alkoxy groups and acyloxy groups are preferred. As such a heterocyclic group, a pyridyl group, a pyrimidinyl group, a furyl group, and a benzofuryl group are preferable, and in particular, a pyridyl group, a pyrimidinyl group (such as a 2-pyrimidinyl group)
Is preferred.

The carbamoyl group for R is -CON (R
^a ) those represented by (R ^b ) are preferred, and R ^a and R ^b
Each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an aryl group. The alkyl group may have a substituent, and preferably has 1 to 30 carbon atoms in total, and particularly preferably has 1 to 2 carbon atoms.
0 is preferred. As the substituent, a halogen atom, an aryl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an alkoxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, and a cyano group are preferable. Groups are preferred. Examples of such an alkyl group include a methyl group, a pentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, a benzyl group, an allyl group, a methoxyethyl group, an acetyloxymethyl group, and the like. The aryl group may have a substituent, and preferably has 6 to 40 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably has 6 to 30 carbon atoms. Examples of the substituent include a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an alkoxy group,
An acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, and a cyano group are preferable, and among them, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkoxy group and an acyloxy group are particularly preferable. Examples of such aryl groups include phenyl, β-naphthyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-vinylphenyl,
-Butyloxyphenyl group, 4-benzoyloxyphenyl group and the like. Specific examples of the carbamoyl group as described above include an N, N-diethylcarbamoyl group, N
-Dodecylcarbamoyl group, N, N-diphenylcarbamoyl group, N- (4-butoxyphenyl) carbamoyl group, N-methyl-N- (4-methylphenyl) carbamoyl group and the like.

R in the general formula (1) is preferably an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group or an aryl group, particularly preferably an alkoxycarbonyl group or an aryloxycarbonyl group.

Ar and R in the general formula (1) may be further substituted by a substituent having the following structure.

[0027]

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L is a divalent group, which may have a substituent, and preferably has 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and more preferably has 1 to 30 carbon atoms.
20 is preferred. Examples of such a divalent group include, in addition to an alkylene group, a divalent group represented by the following structural formula.

[0029]

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In the above formula, R ¹ to R ⁴ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, or an acylamino group. R ⁵ represents an alkyl group or an aryl group, and R ⁶ and R ⁷ each independently represent an alkyl group,
Represents an aryl group or an alkenyl group. L ′ represents a divalent group other than a phenylene group. Further, the alkylene group and R ¹ to R ⁷ may be further substituted with another substituent, and examples of such a substituent include those having the following structural formulas.

[0031]

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Of the above L, particularly preferred are
The following are mentioned.

[0033]

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Hereinafter, specific examples of the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1) will be described.

[0035]

[Table 1]

[0036]

[Table 2]

[0037]

[Table 3]

[0038]

[Table 4]

[0039]

[Table 5]

[0040]

[Table 6]

Next, a method for producing the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1) will be described. The optically active compound represented by the general formula (1) can be produced by utilizing the reactions represented by the following reaction formulas 1 and 2.

[0042]

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The reaction according to the above reaction formula 1 is a Heck reaction between aryl halide A and Ar-CH = CH-R.
9 "(Maruzen), pp. 121-129. In the reaction according to the reaction formula 2, the divalent group L is
This is a method of introducing the compound in a later step, in which B is produced in advance, and then reacted with X-L-X such as an alkyl halide, an acyl halide, a phosphoric acid halide, etc., to obtain a compound of the general formula (1). .

The molecular weight of the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1) is preferably 450 or more. Further, those having high solubility with a liquid crystal compound are preferable, and those having a solubility parameter SP value close to that of the liquid crystal compound are more preferable.

<Photoreactive Chiral Agent> The photoreactive chiral agent comprises a compound (optically active compound) represented by the aforementioned general formula (1), controls the orientation of a liquid crystal compound, and is irradiated with light. The helical pitch of the liquid crystal can be changed. The optically active compound represented by the general formula (1) is a chiral compound (photoreactive chiral agent) that changes the helical structure of the liquid crystal compound when used in combination with a liquid crystal compound, preferably a nematic liquid crystal compound. When light of a certain wavelength is irradiated, an optically active compound having a wavelength sensitive to the wavelength region responds to change the twisting power (HTP: helical twisting power) of the helical structure of the liquid crystal compound. It has the characteristic that can be. That is, it is a compound that causes a change in the torsional force of the helical structure induced in the liquid crystal phase by light irradiation (ultraviolet light to visible light to infrared light), and a chiral site (chiral site) and a structural change caused by light irradiation within the same molecule. Where it occurs.

In addition, the photoreactive chiral agent represented by the general formula (1) has a particularly high HTP change rate to liquid crystal molecules. In particular, when the liquid crystal phase is a cholesteric liquid crystal phase, the selective reflection of the liquid crystal can be arbitrarily changed according to the HTP, and a wide range including the three primary colors of B (blue), G (green), and R (red) can be obtained. Selective reflection over the wavelength range can be obtained. The selective reflection characteristic of the light wavelength is determined by the torsion angle of the helical structure of the liquid crystal molecules. As the angle changes greatly, the color width of the selective reflection becomes wider and useful.

The HTP represents the twisting force of the helical structure of the liquid crystal, that is, HTP = 1 / (pitch × concentration of chiral agent [mass fraction]). For example, the helical pitch of liquid crystal molecules at a certain temperature ( One cycle of the helical structure; μm) is measured, and this value can be obtained by converting [μm ⁻¹ ] from the concentration of the chiral agent (chiral agent). When a selective reflection color is formed by light illuminance using a photoreactive chiral agent, the change rate of HTP (= HTP before irradiation / HTP after irradiation) is as follows. 5 or more is preferable, and 2.5 or more is more preferable.
Is preferably 0.7 or less, more preferably 0.4 or less.

When the photoreactive chiral agent represented by the general formula (1) has a structure in which one or more polymerizable bonding groups are introduced in the same molecule, it contains the optically active compound. The heat resistance of a liquid crystal composition, for example, a liquid crystal color filter, an optical film, or the like can be improved. In addition, the photoreactive chiral agent of the present invention can be used in combination with a known chiral agent having no photoreactivity, such as a chiral compound having a large temperature dependence of torsional force. Examples of the chiral agent having no photoreactivity include JP-A-2000-44451 and JP-T-Hei 10-104.
509726, WO98 / 00428, Tokiohei 2
000-506873, JP-T-Hei 9-5060888
Gazette, “Liquid Crystals” 199
6, 21, 327, and 1998, 24, 219, and the like.

<Liquid Crystal Composition> The liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains at least the optically active compound of the present invention, that is, a photoreactive chiral agent, and further contains at least one liquid crystal compound, preferably a nematic liquid crystal. Compound, if necessary, a polymerizable monomer, a polymerization initiator, a binder resin,
Solvents, surfactants, polymerization inhibitors, thickeners, dyes, pigments,
It contains other components such as an ultraviolet absorber and a gelling agent. In the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, it is particularly preferable to use a surfactant in combination. For example, when applying a liquid crystal composition in the form of a coating liquid to form a layer, the alignment state at the air interface of the layer surface can be controlled three-dimensionally, and in particular, in the case of a cholesteric liquid crystal phase, a selective reflection wavelength having higher color purity can be obtained. Obtainable. Since the liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains the optically active compound as described above, the HTP of the liquid crystal can be largely changed depending on the use of the liquid crystal composition, and various uses are possible.
For example, the present invention can be applied to a wide range of uses such as a liquid crystal color filter, a circularly polarized light separating film, stereoscopic glasses, an optical film such as a polarizing mask, and an optical writing type recording medium.

(Photoreactive Chiral Agent) The liquid crystal composition of the present invention comprises, as a photoreactive chiral agent, the photoreactive chiral agent of the present invention, that is, the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1). By irradiating light with a desired pattern and light amount, the twisted structure of a coexisting liquid crystal compound, preferably a nematic liquid crystal compound, is changed, and a selective reflection color in a wide wavelength range is developed. The content of the photoreactive chiral agent in the liquid crystal composition is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected, but is preferably about 0.1 to 30% by mass.

(Liquid Crystal Compound) The liquid crystal compound is appropriately selected from low molecular liquid crystal compounds, high molecular liquid crystal compounds and polymerizable liquid crystal compounds having a refractive index anisotropy Δn of 0.10 to 0.40. can do. Among them, a nematic liquid crystal compound is preferable. These liquid crystalline compounds can be aligned while in a liquid crystal state at the time of melting, for example, by using an alignment substrate that has been subjected to an alignment treatment such as a rubbing treatment. In the case where the liquid crystal state is solid phase and immobilized, means such as cooling and polymerization can be used.

Specific examples of the liquid crystalline compound include the following compounds. However, the present invention is not limited to these.

[0053]

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[0054]

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[0055]

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In the above formula, n represents an integer of 1 to 1000. In each of the above exemplified compounds, those in which the connecting group of the aromatic ring is changed to the following structure can also be mentioned as suitable compounds.

[0057]

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Among the above, from the viewpoint of securing sufficient curability and improving the heat resistance of the layer, a liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group or a crosslinkable group in the molecule is preferable.

The content of the liquid crystal compound is preferably from 30 to 99.9% by mass, more preferably from 50 to 95% by mass, based on the solid content of the liquid crystal composition. When the content is less than 30% by mass, the orientation is insufficient and a desired selective reflection color may not be obtained.

(Polymerizable monomer) A polymerizable monomer may be used in combination with the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. When the polymerizable monomer is used in combination, the distribution of the selective reflection wavelength is formed (patterned) by changing the twisting force of the liquid crystal due to light irradiation,
The helical structure (selective reflectivity) can be fixed, and the strength of the liquid crystal composition after fixing can be further improved. However,
When the cholesteric liquid crystal compound has an unsaturated bond in the same molecule, it is not always necessary to add.

The polymerizable monomer includes, for example, a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated bond, and specifically, a polyfunctional monomer such as pentaerythritol tetraacrylate and dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate. Specific examples of the monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated bond include the following compounds, but are not limited to these in the present invention.

[0062]

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The amount of the polymerizable monomer to be added is preferably 0.5 to 50% by mass based on the mass of the solid content of the liquid crystal composition. When the addition amount is less than 0.5% by mass,
In some cases, sufficient curability cannot be obtained, and when it exceeds 50% by mass, the alignment of liquid crystal molecules is hindered, and sufficient color formation may not be obtained.

(Photopolymerization Initiator) In order to fix the helical structure after changing the torsional force of the liquid crystal by light irradiation and to further improve the strength of the liquid crystal composition after the fixation, polymerization with a polymerizable liquid crystal compound is performed. When utilizing a reaction, it is preferable to add a photopolymerization initiator.

The photopolymerization initiator can be appropriately selected from known ones, for example, p-methoxyphenyl-2,4-bis (trichloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2- (p-butoxy) (Styryl) -5-trichloromethyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole, 9-phenylacridine, 9,10-dimethylbenzphenazine, benzophenone / Michler's ketone, hexaarylbiimidazole / mercaptobenzimidazole, benzyldimethylketal, thioxanthone / Amines and the like. In addition, bisacylphosphine oxides such as bis- (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phenylphosphine oxide described in JP-A-10-29997 and the like, and DE4 such as Lucirin TPO and the like.
Acylphosphine oxides described in JP 230555 and the like.

As the photopolymerization initiator, those having a photosensitive wavelength range different from the photosensitive wavelength range of the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1) are preferably selected. Here, having different photosensitive wavelengths means that the photosensitive central wavelengths of the two do not overlap and, for example, the liquid crystals are not mutually exposed at the time of image exposure or polymerization curing so as not to cause a decrease in hue purity due to image display characteristics and selective reflection. This means that the orientation is not changed. In order not to overlap the photosensitive center wavelength,
In addition to relying on the molecular structures of the two, it can also be performed by controlling the wavelength of light irradiated through a band-pass filter or the like.

The amount of the photopolymerization initiator to be added is preferably 0.1 to 20% by mass, more preferably 0.5 to 5% by mass, based on the solid content of the liquid crystal composition. If the amount is less than 0.1% by mass, the curing efficiency at the time of light irradiation is low, so that it may take a long time. If the amount exceeds 20% by mass, the light transmittance from the ultraviolet region to the visible light region may be required. May be inferior.

(Other Components) Further, other components include a binder resin, a solvent, a surfactant, a polymerization inhibitor, a thickener,
Dyes, pigments, ultraviolet absorbers, gelling agents and the like can also be added. Examples of the binder resin include polystyrene, polystyrene compounds such as poly-α-methylstyrene, cellulose resins such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and acetyl cellulose, acidic cellulose derivatives having a carboxyl group in a side chain, polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl butyral, and the like. Acetal resin of JP-A-59-44615, JP-B-54-34327, JP-B-58-12577, JP-B-54-25957,
Methacrylic acid copolymers and acrylic acid copolymers described in JP-A-59-53836 and JP-A-59-71048;
Examples include an itaconic acid copolymer, a crotonic acid copolymer, a maleic acid copolymer, a partially esterified maleic acid copolymer, and the like.

The homopolymer of an alkyl acrylate and the homopolymer of an alkyl methacrylate are also mentioned. In these, the alkyl group is a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an n-butyl group, an iso-butyl group.
-Butyl group, n-hexyl group, cyclohexyl group, 2-
Examples thereof include an ethylhexyl group. In addition, a polymer having a hydroxyl group to which an acid anhydride is added, a benzyl (meth) acrylate / (homopolymer of methacrylic acid) acrylic acid copolymer or benzyl (meth) acrylate / (meth) acrylic acid / other monomer And the like.

The content of the binder resin in the liquid crystal composition is preferably from 0 to 50% by mass, more preferably from 0 to 30% by mass. If the content exceeds 50% by mass, the orientation of the liquid crystalline compound may be insufficient.

In the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, it is preferable to use a surfactant together with the photoreactive chiral agent and the liquid crystal compound. As the surfactant, a surfactant having an excluded volume effect is preferable. Here, exerting the excluded volume effect means, for example, when a layer containing a liquid crystal composition is formed by coating, three-dimensionally controlling the spatial alignment state at the air interface on the surface of the layer. Specifically, a nonionic surfactant is preferable, and a nonionic surfactant can be appropriately selected from known nonionic surfactants.

The polymerization inhibitor may be added for the purpose of improving the storage stability. Examples include hydroquinone, hydroquinone monomethyl ether, phenothiazine, benzoquinone, and derivatives thereof. The addition amount of the polymerization inhibitor is 0 to 1 with respect to the polymerizable monomer.
0 mass% is preferable, and 0 to 5 mass% is more preferable.

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention can be prepared by dissolving and dispersing each of the above-mentioned components in an appropriate solvent, and can be used by molding it into an arbitrary shape or forming it on a support or the like. . Here, examples of the solvent include 2-butanone, cyclohexanone, methylene chloride, chloroform and the like.

<Method of Changing the Helical Structure of Liquid Crystal> As described above, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains an optically active compound (photoreactive chiral agent), and the method of changing the twist structure of the liquid crystal of the present invention. In the above method, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is irradiated with light while changing the amount of light to change the twisting force of the liquid crystal, and the twisting structure of the liquid crystal, that is, the degree of twisting of the helix (twisting force; HT)
Different regions of P) can be formed.

In particular, when the liquid crystal phase is a cholesteric liquid crystal phase, the selective reflection color of the liquid crystal can be arbitrarily changed according to the twisting force. When the change rate of the twisting force (torsion change rate) is large, the color width of the selective reflection color that the liquid crystal can selectively reflect is widened, and the selective reflection in a wide wavelength range including the three primary colors (B, G, R) is performed. This is particularly important in that the three primary colors of BGR can be displayed with high color purity. In this regard, since the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1) can greatly change the twisting power of the helical structure of the liquid crystal, the liquid crystal composition containing the compound (chiral agent) can be used. By using this, it is possible to display a wide range of hues including the three primary colors of blue (B), green (G), and red (R), and it is possible to obtain three primary colors having excellent color purity.

Specifically, it can be performed as follows. That is, when a liquid crystal composition is irradiated with light having a certain wavelength, a photoreactive chiral agent (general formula (1)) which coexists depending on the irradiation intensity.
The optically active compound represented by the formula (1) changes the helical structure (twist angle) of the liquid crystal in response to the change in the liquid crystal structure. The change in the structure causes a different selective reflection color to form an image-like pattern (patterning). Therefore, if light irradiation is performed while changing the irradiation intensity for each desired region, a plurality of colors are presented in accordance with the irradiation intensity, for example, exposure is performed through an exposure mask created by changing the light transmittance like an image. Thus, an image, that is, a colored region having different selective reflection can be simultaneously formed by one light irradiation. In addition, since the formed colored region shows a wide range of selective reflection colors due to the compound represented by the general formula (1), it is possible to form the three primary colors of BGR having excellent color purity. This light irradiation can be performed without any particular limitation as long as the irradiation intensity can be changed for each desired region, in addition to the method using an exposure mask. Liquid crystal color filter described later,
When forming an optical film or the like, after patterning by exposing the light of a certain wavelength imagewise as described above,
Further, the polymerizable groups in the liquid crystal composition are photopolymerized and cured by light irradiation, and the helical structure of the liquid crystal is fixed to a desired selective reflection color. Details of these forming methods will be described later.

The light source used for light irradiation is preferably a light source that emits ultraviolet light because it has a high energy and can rapidly change the structure of a liquid crystal compound and rapidly perform a polymerization reaction. Examples thereof include a high-pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, and an Hg-Xe lamp. And the like. Further, it is preferable to have a light quantity variable function.

As described above, when the liquid crystal composition containing the chiral agent represented by the general formula (1) is used, the rate of change of the twisting force of the helical structure of the liquid crystal with respect to the amount of light is large. The color width of the selective reflection color that the liquid crystal can exhibit is expanded, and blue (B), green (G),
Three primary colors of red (R) can be obtained.

As described above, when the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1) is used, the fact that the compound causes a large change rate of the helical pitch induced in the liquid crystal phase by light irradiation is utilized. Thus, an optical film such as a liquid crystal color filter, a circularly polarized light separating film, stereoscopic glasses, and a polarizing mask can be formed. Further, application to a broadband switchable mirror, an optical writing type recording medium, or the like is also possible. By doping the ferroelectric liquid crystal, the antiferroelectric liquid crystal, and the TGB phase, patterning of a polarization state and patterning of a helical pitch can be performed. Naturally, it can be used as an ordinary optically active compound, and can be applied to a helical structure inducing agent in an STN element or a TN element. Further, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention may contain a non-chiral azo or styrene-based compound which isomerized by light, thereby further increasing the rate of change of the helical pitch during light irradiation. There is.

<Method of fixing the helical structure of liquid crystal> The method of fixing the helical structure of the liquid crystal according to the present invention employs a method of fixing light in the photosensitive wavelength region of the optically active compound represented by the above general formula (1). Is irradiated imagewise, followed by irradiating light in the photosensitive wavelength region of the photopolymerization initiator to perform photopolymerization. It is preferable to use a liquid crystal composition in which the photosensitive wavelength region of the optically active compound and the photosensitive wavelength region of the photopolymerization initiator are different. When the photosensitive wavelength region of the optically active compound is different from the photosensitive wavelength region of the photopolymerization initiator, light irradiation for changing HTP and light irradiation for photopolymerization do not affect each other. Therefore, when imagewise exposed to change the HTP, photopolymerization does not proceed, so that patterning with the HTP change rate as set becomes possible, while photopolymerization to fix the helical structure is performed. The optically active compound does not react to light, and the formed HTP change pattern can be reliably immobilized.

Hereinafter, the liquid crystal color filter, the optical film, and the recording medium will be described in detail. <Liquid crystal color filter> The liquid crystal color filter of the present invention comprises at least the optically active compound of the present invention, and additionally contains a nematic liquid crystal compound, a polymerizable monomer, if necessary, a photopolymerization initiator, The liquid crystal composition contains other components listed in the liquid crystal composition, a surfactant having an excluded volume effect, and the like. It can be manufactured by irradiating light with a desired pattern and light amount appropriately selected based on the above-mentioned “method for changing the twisted structure of liquid crystal”.

Hereinafter, the liquid crystal color filter of the present invention will be described in detail through the description of the method of manufacturing the liquid crystal color filter. The liquid crystal color filter of the present invention is prepared by appropriately selecting from the liquid crystal composition of the present invention described above and a known composition containing the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1). Can be. In this case, the liquid crystal composition may be in the form of a sheet composed only of the liquid crystal composition, or in a mode in which a layer (liquid crystal layer) containing the liquid crystal composition is provided on a desired support or temporary support. And another layer (film) such as an alignment film or a protective film may be provided. In the latter case, two or more liquid crystal layers can be laminated, and in this case, the exposure step described later is provided a plurality of times.

As the nematic liquid crystal compound, polymerizable monomer, photopolymerization initiator and other components, the same compounds as those usable in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention can be used. The same applies to the case of the liquid crystal composition. It is preferable to use a surfactant having an excluded volume effect in combination. Further, the content of the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1) in the liquid crystal composition constituting the liquid crystal color filter is the same as that of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention described above.

The liquid crystal color filter of the present invention is, for example,
The liquid crystal composition of the present invention can be suitably manufactured. The method for producing the liquid crystal color filter is not particularly limited. For example, a step of patterning by imagewise exposing with the first light, followed by photopolymerization with the second light and curing (hereinafter, referred to as “ The exposure method may be at least one step. In addition, a step of appropriately subjecting the liquid crystal composition to a contact surface with an alignment treatment (alignment treatment step), a step of transferring and forming a liquid crystal layer by adhesion / peeling (transfer step), and a cholesteric liquid crystal composition according to a selected production mode. May be formed through a step of applying a liquid crystal layer to form a liquid crystal layer (coating step).

Hereinafter, a specific embodiment will be described as an example of a manufacturing method including the above-described exposure step. -Exposure Step- In the exposure step, both patterning and fixing (polymerization curing) of the liquid crystal compound are performed by light irradiation. That is, after an optically active compound (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a “photoreactive chiral agent”) is imagewise exposed and patterned with a first light having a wavelength capable of responding with high sensitivity, the polymerization initiator becomes high. The polymer is cured by photopolymerization with the second light capable of responding to the sensitivity, and the helical structure of the liquid crystal compound is fixed to a desired selective reflection color.

When the liquid crystal composition is irradiated with the first light, the coexisting photoreactive chiral agent responds to the illuminance to change the helical structure of the liquid crystal compound. An image-like pattern is formed showing the reflection color. Therefore, if light irradiation is performed with the irradiation intensity changed for each desired region, a plurality of colors are presented according to the irradiation intensity, for example,
By exposing through an exposure mask formed by changing the light transmittance like an image, it is possible to simultaneously form an image, that is, a colored region having different selective reflection by one light irradiation. Further, a liquid crystal color filter can be manufactured by irradiating second light and curing (fixing) the second light.

The wavelength of the first light is preferably set to a light-sensitive wavelength region of the photoreactive chiral agent, particularly a wavelength close to the light-sensitive peak wavelength, in that sufficient patterning sensitivity can be obtained. Also, as the wavelength of the second light,
It is preferable to set the polymerization initiator to a light-sensitive wavelength range, particularly to a wavelength close to the light-sensitive peak wavelength, in that sufficient photopolymerization sensitivity can be obtained. The illuminance (irradiation intensity) of the first and second lights is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected depending on the material to be used so that sufficient photosensitivity can be obtained during patterning and polymerization curing. As the light source used for the irradiation of the first and second lights, the same light sources as those usable for the light irradiation of the liquid crystal composition can be used.

More specifically, the manufacturing method according to the following first and second embodiments may be used, and the manufacturing method can be more suitably performed according to these two embodiments. [First Embodiment] (1) A step of providing a liquid crystal composition in a coating liquid state on a temporary support to form a transfer material having at least a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal composition in the coating liquid can be prepared by dissolving and dispersing each component in an appropriate solvent. Here, as the solvent,
For example, 2-butanone, cyclohexanone, methylene chloride, chloroform and the like can be mentioned. Between the liquid crystal layer and the temporary support, a cushion layer containing a thermoplastic resin or the like may be provided from the viewpoint of ensuring adhesion during transfer, such as when there is a foreign substance or the like on the transfer target. It is also preferable that the surface of the cushion layer or the like is subjected to an orientation treatment (orientation treatment step) such as a rubbing treatment. (2) a step of laminating the transfer material on a light transmissive substrate; In addition to the light transmitting substrate, an image receiving material having an image receiving layer on a base may be used. Further, the liquid crystal composition may be applied directly on the substrate without using the transfer material (application step). Coating can be appropriately selected from known coating methods using a bar coater, a spin coater, or the like. However, the transfer method is preferable in terms of material loss and cost.

(3) A step of removing the transfer material from the light-transmitting substrate to form a cholesteric liquid crystal layer on the substrate (transfer step). The liquid crystal layer may be formed of a plurality of layers by further laminating after the following (4). (4) the cholesteric liquid crystal layer via the exposure mask is irradiated with ultraviolet illuminance [nu ¹ imagewise to form a pixel pattern illustrating the selectively reflected color, this further curing the layer by irradiation with ultraviolet illuminance [nu ² Step (exposure step).

[Second Aspect] (1) A step of forming a liquid crystal layer by directly providing a liquid crystal composition on a support constituting a color filter. Here, the liquid crystal layer can be formed by applying a liquid crystal composition prepared as a coating liquid in the same manner as described above by a known coating method using a bar coater, a spin coater, or the like. Further, an alignment film similar to the above may be formed between the cholesteric liquid crystal layer and the temporary support. The surface of the alignment film or the like is preferably subjected to an alignment treatment (alignment treatment step) such as a rubbing treatment. (2) An exposure step similar to step (4) of the first embodiment.

The thickness of the liquid crystal layer (sheet-like liquid crystal composition) functioning as a liquid crystal color filter is 1.5 to 4
μm is preferred.

Further, a description will be given below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 are schematic views showing one embodiment of a process for manufacturing a liquid crystal color filter of the present invention. First, the components described above are dissolved in an appropriate solvent to prepare a coating liquid cholesteric liquid crystal composition. Here, each component and solvent are as described above.

As shown in FIG. 1- (A), a support 10 (hereinafter also referred to as a “temporary support”) is prepared, and an acrylic resin, polyester, polyurethane, or the like is applied and formed on the support 10. Cushion layer (thermoplastic resin layer) 12
And an alignment film 1 made of polyvinyl alcohol or the like.
4 is laminated. A rubbing process is performed on this alignment film as shown in FIG. This rubbing treatment is not always necessary, but the rubbing treatment can further improve the orientation. Next, FIG.
As shown in (C), a coating liquid cholesteric liquid crystal composition is applied on the alignment film 14 and dried to form a cholesteric liquid crystal layer 16, and a cover film 18 is provided on the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 16. Create a transfer material. Hereinafter, the transfer material is referred to as a transfer sheet 20.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1- (D), another support 22 is prepared, an alignment film 24 is formed on the support in the same manner as described above, and the surface is subjected to a rubbing treatment. Hereinafter, this is referred to as a color filter substrate 26.

Next, after the cover film 18 of the transfer sheet 20 is peeled off, as shown in FIG. 2E, the surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 16 of the transfer sheet 20 and the alignment film 24 of the color filter substrate 26 are removed. Are laminated so that they come into contact with the surface of each other, and laminated through a roll rotating in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2F, the alignment film 14 of the transfer sheet 20 and the cushion layer 1 are formed.
2 and the cholesteric liquid crystal layer is transferred together with the alignment film 14 on the color filter substrate. In this case, the cushion layer 12 does not necessarily have to be peeled off together with the temporary support 10.

After the transfer, as shown in FIG. 3G, an exposure mask 28 having a plurality of regions having different light transmittances is arranged above the alignment film 14, and the first mask 28 is provided through the mask 28. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer 16 is irradiated with light in a pattern. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer 16 contains a liquid crystal compound, a chiral compound, or the like so that the helical pitch varies depending on the amount of light irradiation, and a structure having a different helical pitch reflects, for example, green (G) for each pattern. An area that transmits blue (B) and red (R), reflects blue (B),
It is formed to form a region that transmits green (G) and red (R) and a region that reflects red (R) and transmits green (G) and blue (B).

Next, as shown in FIG. 3H, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 16 is further irradiated with ultraviolet rays at an irradiation intensity different from the light irradiation in the step (G) to fix the pattern. Thereafter, unnecessary portions (for example, remaining portions of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 16 such as a remaining portion such as a cushion layer and an intermediate layer and unexposed portions) are removed by using 2-butanone, chloroform, or the like, so that the structure shown in FIG. As shown, a cholesteric liquid crystal layer having a BGR reflection region can be formed.

The method shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is an embodiment of a method for manufacturing a color filter by a lamination method, but may be a method by a coating method in which a liquid crystal layer is directly formed on a color filter substrate. . In this case, when applied to the above embodiment, a cholesteric liquid crystal layer is applied on the alignment film 24 of the color filter substrate 26 shown in FIG. 1- (D), dried, and then similar to FIGS. The steps shown in ()) are sequentially performed.

The steps and materials used for the transfer material and the support are described in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 11-342896 and 11-343665 filed by the present inventors.
The details are described in each specification of the item.

As described above, when the liquid crystal composition containing the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1) is used, the rate of change of the twisting force of the helical structure of the liquid crystal with respect to the amount of light is large. A liquid crystal color filter having three primary colors of blue (B), green (G), and red (R), which has an expanded color width of the reflected color and excellent color purity, can be obtained.

<Optical Film> The optical film of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned optically active compound of the present invention, and further comprises a liquid crystal compound, if necessary, a polymerizable monomer, a photopolymerization initiator, and an excluded volume effect. The liquid crystal composition of the present invention, such as a surfactant that exerts an effect, contains other components and the like, and is based on the above-mentioned “method of changing the twisted structure of liquid crystal”, with a desired pattern and light amount appropriately selected. It can be produced by light irradiation.

The optical film of the present invention is prepared by appropriately selecting from the above-mentioned liquid crystal composition of the present invention and a known composition containing the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1). can do. Here, the form of the optical film is not particularly limited, and is a sheet form composed only of the liquid crystal composition, a form in which a layer (liquid crystal layer) containing the liquid crystal composition is provided on a desired support or temporary support. And other layers (films) such as an alignment film and a protective film.
May be provided.

As the liquid crystal compound, polymerizable monomer, photopolymerization initiator, and other components, the same compounds as those usable in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention can be used. The same applies to the case of the liquid crystal composition. In addition, the content of the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1) in the liquid crystal composition constituting the optical film is the same as that of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention described above.

The optical film of the present invention can be suitably produced, for example, using the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. In addition, as a method for producing an optical film, it can be produced by a method substantially similar to the liquid crystal color filter,
The method may include at least one exposure step. Further, depending on the manufacturing mode to be selected, it may be formed through steps such as the alignment treatment step, the transfer step, and the coating step. More specifically, it can also be manufactured in substantially the same manner as the manufacturing method of the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

As described above, when the liquid crystal composition containing the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1) is used, the rate of change of the twisting force of the helical structure of the liquid crystal with respect to the amount of light can be increased. Especially when the liquid crystal phase is a cholesteric liquid crystal phase,
It is possible to obtain an optical filter composed of various selective reflection colors and a primary color (B, G, R) optical filter excellent in color purity, in which the color width of the liquid crystal selectively reflected is widened.

<Recording Medium> The recording medium of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned optically active compound of the present invention, and further comprises a liquid crystal compound, if necessary, a polymerizable monomer, a photopolymerization initiator, and an excluded volume effect. And the other components listed in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention such as a surfactant.

The recording medium of the present invention is not limited in its form, and may be in the form of a sheet composed of only a liquid crystal composition, or a desired support or temporary support (hereinafter referred to as “support, etc.”). ) May be provided with a layer (liquid crystal layer) containing a liquid crystal composition containing a photoreactive chiral agent. Here, the liquid crystal composition can be appropriately selected from the above-described liquid crystal composition of the present invention and a known composition containing the compound represented by the general formula (1). Further, another layer (film) such as an alignment film or a protective film may be provided.

As the liquid crystal compound, the polymerizable monomer, the photopolymerization initiator, and other components, the same compounds as those usable in the liquid crystal composition can be used.
Preferred ranges and the like are the same as in the case of the liquid crystal composition. Further, the content of the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1) in the liquid crystal composition constituting the recording medium is the same as that of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention described above.

The recording medium of the present invention can be suitably prepared, for example, by providing the above-mentioned liquid crystal composition of the present invention on a support or the like. The method of providing the liquid crystal composition on a support or the like includes (1) using a transfer material in which a liquid crystal layer containing the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is provided on a temporary support, and then forming the liquid crystal layer on the support. Transfer method, (2) on a support,
A method of directly applying a liquid crystal composition prepared in a coating liquid state,
And the like. In the methods (1) and (2),
With respect to the transfer material and the method of coating, the embodiments exemplified in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention (first and second embodiments)
It can be applied according to the description of FIGS.

The recording medium of the present invention manufactured as described above is irradiated with light in a desired pattern and light amount appropriately selected, so that an image, particularly a cholesteric liquid crystal, can be formed in accordance with the change rate of the twisting force of the liquid crystal. In the case of (1), a colored image composed of selective reflection colors determined by the change rate of the helical pitch can be formed. The image may be formed based on, for example, the above-described “method of changing the spiral structure of liquid crystal” and “method of fixing the spiral structure of liquid crystal”. In addition, when the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1) is used as a chiral agent for changing the liquid crystal structure, an image having a wide color reproduction range can be formed because the change rate of the twisting force of the liquid crystal helical structure with respect to the amount of light is large. In particular, in the case of a cholesteric liquid crystal, the hue width at which the liquid crystal selectively reflects can be widened, and a multicolor image with high color purity can be formed. Further, a large change rate of the torsional force greatly contributes to higher sensitivity (higher speed) during image formation. Further, for example, by using a polymerizable liquid crystal compound or a polymerizable monomer, the liquid crystal after patterning can be fixed, and an image having sufficient image stability can be formed.

As a light source for irradiating light, the same light sources as those usable in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention can be suitably used for optical recording. The same applies to the case of light irradiation for fixing the liquid crystal.

As described above, by using the optically active compound represented by the general formula (1) as a chiral agent for changing the helical structure of liquid crystal molecules, the twisting force (torsion angle) of the liquid crystal can be increased. Can be changed,
The selective reflection wavelength range obtained by light irradiation is expanded, and as a result, the color purity of the three primary colors of BGR can be further increased. Therefore, the selectivity and vividness of the hue of the liquid crystal are improved, and particularly in the case of a liquid crystal color filter or an optical film, a clear and vivid color image can be displayed. Can be

[0113]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. still,
“Parts” and “%” in the examples all represent “parts by mass” and “% by mass”.

Example 1 (optically active compound 1-2) 1.6 g of (S) -2,2'-methylenedioxy-6,6'-dibromo-1,1'-binaphthol (3.5 mmol)
l), 1.5 g of 4-methoxycinnamic acid methyl ester
(7.8 mmol), 0.12 g (0.17 mmol) of dichlorobis (triphenylphosphine) palladium (II)
l), 2.6 g of tetrabutylammonium bromide
(8.1 mmol), 1.0 g of potassium carbonate (7.2 m
mol) and 20 ml of DMF were mixed and stirred at room temperature for 10 hours. Thereafter, ethyl acetate and water were added thereto to carry out a liquid separation operation, then, the ethyl acetate layer was distilled off, and the residue was purified by column chromatography. 0.18 g (0.27 mmol) of Compound 1-2 as a pale yellow solid was obtained, and the yield was 7.6%. It was a mixture of E / Z = 19/1 (from ¹ H-NMR area ratio). [Α] _D ²⁵ -586 ° (c 0.10, CHCl ₃ ) ¹ H-NMR (CDCl ₃ ): δ (TMS) 8.00-7.83 (2
H, m) 7.77 (2H, s) 7.60-7.25 (6H, m) .2
0 (4H, d) 6.94 (E form) 6.86 (Z form) (4H, d) 6.42 (E form
Form) 6.39 (Z form) (2H, s) 5.70 (2H, s) 3.85 (E form) 3.82 (Z form) (6H, s) 3.65 (E form) 3.59 (Z form) (6H, s)

Example 2 (Photoreactive Chiral Agent) The function of the exemplified compound 1-2 as a photoreactive chiral agent was confirmed as follows. 0.5 parts of Exemplified Compound 1-2 and a nematic liquid crystal composition (ZLI-113)
2, manufactured by Merck & Co., Ltd.) and injected into a wedge-type cell (glass thickness: 1.1 mm, blue plate) that was uniaxially oriented with a polyimide orientation film. Here, the helical pitch at room temperature was measured using a polarizing microscope.
It was 6 μm. This is 3.6 μm ⁻¹ when converted to helical twisting power (HTP). Next, 30 watts were applied to the wedge cell from a high pressure mercury lamp.
Ultraviolet irradiation was performed at an irradiation intensity of 0 mW / cm ² for 3 minutes.
After irradiation, the helical pitch at room temperature was measured in the same manner as described above, and it was found to be 5.11 μm. This is HTP
Converted to 39 μm ⁻¹ . Therefore, the HTP change rate is 0.092. As described above, it was possible to largely change the direction in which the torsional force (HTP) of the spiral increases (the direction in which the spiral pitch decreases) by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays. In addition, when the direction of the twist before and after the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays was confirmed by the contact method, the twist was right before and after the irradiation.

Example 3 (Broadband Circularly Polarized Reflector) (1) Preparation of Substrate A polyimide alignment film (LX-1400,
After applying a coating solution by a spin coater and drying in an oven at 100 ° C. for 5 minutes,
The alignment film was formed by firing in an oven at 250 ° C. for 1 hour. Further, the surface of the film was subjected to an orientation treatment by a rubbing treatment to produce a glass substrate with an orientation film.

(2) Production A coating solution prepared according to the following formulation was applied on the alignment film of the glass substrate provided with the alignment film obtained above using a bar coater.
After being kept on a hot plate at 110 ° C. for 5 minutes, light irradiation was performed for 3 minutes with a super-high pressure mercury lamp at that temperature through a band-pass filter having a light source center wavelength of 365 nm.

Then, the sample was kept at 110 ° C. in a dark place for 5 minutes, and then the band-pass filter was removed.
The entire surface was further exposed to light at an irradiation energy of 500 mJ / cm ² by the same ultra-high pressure mercury lamp as described above while blowing nitrogen gas, and polymerized and cured. As described above, a circularly polarized light reflecting plate was produced.

[0119]

Embedded image

The circularly-polarized light reflecting plate obtained above was 450 to 6
It exhibited selective reflection in a wide wavelength range over 80 nm, and had sufficient band characteristics as a broadband circularly polarized light reflecting plate. Further, the right circularly polarized light reflectance at a selective reflection wavelength of 550 nm was 95%.

Example 4 (Liquid Crystal Color Filter) (1) Preparation of Filter Substrate A polyimide alignment film (LX-1400, manufactured by Hitachi Chemical DuPont) was applied on a glass substrate by a spin coater. After drying in the oven for 5 minutes, 2
It was baked in an oven at 50 ° C. for 1 hour to form an alignment film.
Further, the surface of the film was subjected to an orientation treatment by a rubbing treatment to produce a glass substrate with an orientation film.

(2) Formation of Filter Layer On the alignment film of the glass substrate provided with the alignment film obtained above, a coating solution for a photosensitive resin layer prepared according to the following formulation was applied by a spin coater, and this was applied at 100 ° C. For 2 minutes to form a photosensitive resin layer.

[0123]

Embedded image

Then, the photosensitive resin layer was held on a hot plate at 100 ° C. for 5 minutes so as to be in contact with the surface of the glass substrate, so that the photosensitive resin layer was colored. Further, on the photosensitive resin layer, the transmittance is different in three stages (0%, 46%, 92%), and the respective regions are arranged corresponding to red pixels, green pixels, and blue pixels. An ultra-high pressure mercury lamp is arranged via a photomask and a bandpass filter centered at 365 nm,
Irradiation was performed with an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp through this photomask and bandpass filter to perform patterning. The irradiation energy at this time was 300 mJ / cm ² for the blue pixel.
And the irradiation intensity was 30 mW / cm ² .

Next, the photomask and the bandpass filter were removed, and the irradiation energy was 500 mJ / cm ² by using the same ultra-high pressure mercury lamp as described above while blowing nitrogen gas.
The entire surface was further exposed and polymerized and cured. Furthermore, in order to promote the degree of curing of the filter portion (photosensitive resin layer), the
For 20 minutes to obtain a color filter on which red, green, and blue pixel patterns were formed. At the time of the patterning, the helical pitch of the liquid crystal (twisting force of the liquid crystal) can be largely changed by irradiation,
A pixel pattern composed of red, green, and blue with high color purity could be formed.

Example 5 (Optical Compensation Film for STN Element) A polyethylene vinyl alcohol (PVA) film having a saponification degree of 99.5% was formed on a triacetyl cellulose (TAC) having a thickness of 80 μm by a bar coating method. ° C
Heated under for 3 minutes. A rubbing treatment was performed on the PVA film, and a coating solution prepared according to the following formulation was further heated and applied by a bar coater, and dried in an oven at 120 ° C. for 3 minutes to form a film.

[0127]

Embedded image

Next, at a temperature of 100 ° C., ultraviolet irradiation was performed from above the film using a high-pressure mercury lamp (irradiation energy 3).
00mJ / cm ² ) to polymerize and cure the film.
An optical compensation film for an element was manufactured (hereinafter referred to as “STN compensation film”).
Called. ). When the film thickness of the STN compensation film at this time was measured, it was 5.0 μm. Further, from the polarization transmission spectrum profile of the STN compensation film, it was found that the orientation (spiral structure) of the liquid crystal molecules was twisted in the film thickness direction at 240 degrees, and the twist angle (rotation angle) of the spiral was 240 degrees. Also, an STN compensation film having a twist angle (-240 degrees) opposite to that of the film is prepared, and these films are overlapped so that the liquid crystal molecules in the matched portion are orthogonal to each other, and the absorption axes are orthogonal to each other. It was inserted between two polarizing plates and visually observed, and showed a good black color. Therefore, it was confirmed that the film (STN compensation film) formed as described above functions as an optical compensation film for an STN element.

Example 6 (TN type liquid crystal display) A polyimide alignment film (LX-1400, manufactured by Hitachi Chemical DuPont) was formed on a glass substrate having an ITO film on the ITO film.
Coating solution was applied by a spin coater, dried in an oven at 100 ° C for 5 minutes, and then dried in an oven at 250 ° C.
After firing for an hour, an alignment film was formed. Further, a rubbing treatment was performed on the surface of the film to perform an orientation treatment so that the rubbing angle was 90 degrees, thereby producing two glass substrates with an orientation film. The glass substrates with the alignment films were arranged so that the alignment films faced each other, and bonded with a two-liquid epoxy resin adhesive mixed with spacer beads having a diameter of 6 μm to form driving cells. When the thickness of the cell was measured by an optical interference method, it was 5.4 μm.

A composition having the following composition was injected into the cell. [Composition] Nematic liquid crystal composition (ZLI-1132, manufactured by Merck): 99.9% Optically active compound 1-2: 0.1%

Next, when a driving cell after injection was inserted between two polarizing plates whose absorption axes were orthogonal to each other and observed visually, no generation of a reverse twist domain was observed. Therefore, there is no reduction in contrast due to the occurrence of reverse twist, and an image display excellent in contrast and color purity can be expected.

[0132]

The optically active compound of the present invention undergoes photoisomerization upon irradiation with light and can greatly change the twisting power (twisting angle) of liquid crystal, and can be applied as an excellent photoreactive chiral agent. In addition to the above, use as a usual optically active compound is also possible. Further, the photoreactive chiral agent of the present invention greatly changes the helical structure (twisting force, twist angle) of the liquid crystal. For example, when used in a cholesteric liquid crystal phase, it is possible to increase the hue width at which the liquid crystal selectively reflects,
A variety of colors with high color purity can be displayed. In the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, the method of changing the twisted structure of the liquid crystal, and the method of fixing the helical structure of the liquid crystal, since the optically active compound is used as described above, the purpose or application of the liquid crystal composition or the method is used. The HTP of the liquid crystal can be greatly changed depending on the application. For example, it can be applied to a wide range of applications such as liquid crystal color filters, circularly polarized light separating films, stereoscopic glasses, optical films such as polarizing masks, and optical writing type recording media. can do. Further, since the color filter of the present invention uses the optically active compound as described above, the color width of the selective reflection color that can be exhibited by the liquid crystal is widened, and blue (B), green (G), and red having excellent color purity are obtained. A liquid crystal color filter consisting of the three primary colors (R) can be obtained. Further, also in the optical film and the recording medium, by using the optically active compound as described above, by appropriately selecting a liquid crystal compound and the like, an optical film and a recording medium having various characteristics can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a part of a process of manufacturing a liquid crystal color filter of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a part of a process of manufacturing a liquid crystal color filter of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a part of a process of manufacturing a liquid crystal color filter of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 support (temporary support) 12 cushion layer (thermoplastic resin layer) 14, 24 alignment film 16 liquid crystal layer (liquid crystal composition) 18 cover film 20 transfer sheet 22 substrate 26 substrate for color filter 28 exposure mask

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G02B 5/20 G02B 5/20 4C063 5/30 5/30 4C071 G02F 1/13 102 G02F 1/13 102 4H027 500 500 1/1335 505 1/1335 505 G03C 1/73 G03C 1/73 (72) Inventor Mitsuyoshi Ichihashi 200, Onakazato, Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture Fuji Photo F-term in Film Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H048 AA06 AA09 AA12 AA18 2H049 BA01 BA46 BB01 BC05 BC08 BC22 2H088 EA62 GA03 HA12 MA20 2H091 FA02Y LA12 LA15 2H123 AD00 AD01 BB00 BB21 CB02 EA17 4C063 AA01 BB03 CC83 DD81 EE05 4C071 AA01 BB01 CC13 EE04 FF15 GG01 DH01 GG01DH05

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An optically active compound represented by the following general formula (1). Embedded image [In the formula, Ar represents an aryl group or a heterocyclic group,
R represents an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, a carbamoyl group or a cyano group, and L represents a divalent group. The binaphthyl moiety has either (R) or (S) axial asymmetry. ] 2. A photoreactive chiral agent comprising the optically active compound according to claim 1. 3. A liquid crystal composition comprising at least a liquid crystal compound and at least one optically active compound according to claim 1. 4. A liquid crystal composition comprising a liquid crystal compound having at least one polymerizable group, a photopolymerization initiator and at least one optically active compound according to claim 1. 5. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 4, wherein the photopolymerization initiator and the optically active compound according to claim 1 have different photosensitive wavelength ranges. 6. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 3, which is irradiated with light to change the structure of the optically active compound according to claim 1, whereby the helical structure of the liquid crystal is changed. How to change. 7. The photopolymerization initiator according to claim 4, wherein the liquid crystal composition according to claim 4 or 5 is irradiated with light in the photosensitive wavelength region of the optically active compound according to claim 1 in an imagewise manner. A method for fixing a helical structure of a liquid crystal, comprising a step of performing photopolymerization by irradiating light in a photosensitive wavelength region. 8. A liquid crystal color filter comprising at least a liquid crystal compound and at least one optically active compound according to claim 1. 9. An optical film containing at least one liquid crystalline compound and at least one optically active compound according to claim 1. 10. A recording medium containing at least one liquid crystalline compound and at least one optically active compound according to claim 1.