WO2021032518A1 - A process for the production of fingerprint texture free liquid crystal films - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for the production of fingerprint texture free liquid crystal films. The process involves the use of liquid crystal compositions comprising at least one photoinitiator, which is an alpha-hydroxy ketone compound of formula (XI), and is suitable for the production of optical films which exhibit excellent thermal stability at high humidity without losing their other advantages like good resistance against chemicals and solvents. It can be advantageously employed for the production of security elements.

Description

A process for the production of fingerprint texture free liquid crystal films The present invention relates to a process for the production of fingerprint texture free liquid crystal films. The process involves the use of liquid crystal compositions comprising at least one photoinitiator, which is an alpha-hydroxy ketone compound of formula (XI), and is suitable for the production of optical films which

exhibit excellent thermal stability at high humidity without losing their other advantages like good resistance against chemicals and solvents. It can be advantageously employed for the production of security elements. Liquid crystalline compositions are, for example, described in EP0793693B2, US6,582,781, EP1017755B1, US6,800,337, EP1144547, EP1078975B1, EP1078974, DE19917067, WO2005/049703, WO96/17901 and WO2001/69689. WO2018225579 relates to a polymerizable liquid crystal composition which contains a bifunctional polymerizable liquid crystal compound represented by general formula

ester-based polymerization initiator. (In general formula (I-2), each of P121 and P122 represents a polymerizable functional group; each of Sp121 and Sp122 represents a C_1-18alkylene group, a single bond or the like; each of X121 and X122 represents -O-, -S- or the like; each of q121 and q122 represents 0 or 1; and MG122 represents a mesogenic group represented by general formula (I-2-b). In general formula (I-2-b), each of A1, A2 and A3 represents a 1, 4-phenylene group, a 1, 4-cyclohexylene group or the like; each of Z1 and Z2 represents -COO-, -OCO- or the like; and r1 represents 0, 1, 2 or 3.) The liquid crystal composition is suitable for optical films which exhibit excellent heat resistance, and wherein a shift in the selective wavelength due to a thermal history is small. The oxime ester-based polymerization initiator, the following general formula (4-2)

WO2019/206846 relates to a process for the production of strongly adherent liquid crystal films on flexible substrates comprising a) optionally exposing the flexible substrate to a corona discharge or a plasma discharge treatment; b) applying a primer composition on the substrate, which comprises b1) at least one polyurethane (A) comprising as synthesis components (b1a) at least one organic aliphatic, aromatic or cycloaliphatic diisocyanate or polyisocyanate having a functionality of more than 2, (b1b) at least one compound having in each case at least one isocyanate-reactive group and at least one radically polymerizable unsaturated group, (b1c) at least one photoinitiator having at least one isocyanate-reactive group, b2) at least one polyfunctional polymerizable compound (B), b3) a solvent, or a mixture of solvents, c) evaporating the solvent by applying IR-radiation and/or thermal drying, d) curing the primer layer by means of UV/VIS radiation or electron beam, e) optionally exposing the primered substrate to a corona discharge or a plasma discharge treatment, f) applying a liquid crystal composition onto the primer coating, g) evaporating the solvent by applying IR-radiation and/or thermal drying, and h) curing the liquid crystal film by means of UV/VIS radiation or electron beam. WO2011/082969 describes liquid-crystalline mixtures, and also oligomers or polymers which are obtainable by oligomerizing or polymerizing the liquid-crystalline mixtures, a process for printing or coating substrates by applying and then polymerizing the inventive liquid- crystalline mixtures and the use of the inventive liquid-crystalline mixtures or of the inventive oligomers or polymers for production of optical or electrooptical components. WO2011/132137 relates to a process for producing polymerized films with line texture or fingerprint texture or for producing substrates coated with polymerized films with line texture or fingerprint texture, to polymerized films, obtainable by this process, to pigments obtainable by comminuting such films, to the use of such films, substrates or pigments as or in optical filter(s), polarizers, decorative media, forgeryproof markers, reflective media or for focusing light (in solar cells), to the use of such films as an antibacterial coating, to a forgeryproof marker which comprises such a film, and to a process for detecting forgeryproof markings. There is a need for liquid crystal compositions (formulations), which are free of cancerogen, mutagen, reprotoxic compounds (CMR compounds). For high-end applications liquid crstal films obtained from the liquid crystal formulations are still in need of improvement with regard to their fastness properties, e.g. fastness to high temperature/high humidity exposure, fastness to chemicals, e.g organic solvents like acetone. Those properties are important in particular for applications in the field of security applications. It has now been found, surprisingly, that liquid crystal films obtainable from the liquid crystal composition described in the present invention, or by the process of the present application exhibit high thermal stability at high humidity without losing their other advantages like good resistance against chemicals and solvents. Due to their unique application properties they can be advantageously employed in security elements/documents, especially in banknotes. Accordingly, the present application relates to a process for the production of fingerprint texture free liquid crystal films on (flexible) substrates comprising a) optionally exposing the substrate to a corona discharge or a plasma discharge treatment; b) optionally applying a primer composition on the substrate, which comprises b1) at least one polyurethane (A) comprising as synthesis components (b1a) at least one organic aliphatic, aromatic or cycloaliphatic diisocyanate or polyisocyanate having a functionality of more than 2, (b1b) at least one compound having in each case at least one isocyanate-reactive group and at least one radically polymerizable unsaturated group, (b1c) at least one photoinitiator having at least one isocyanate-reactive group, b2) at least one polyfunctional polymerizable compound (B), b3) a solvent, or a mixture of solvents, c) optionally evaporating the solvent by applying IR-radiation and/or thermal drying, d) optionally curing the primer layer by means of UV/VIS radiation, e) optionally exposing the primered substrate to a corona discharge or a plasma discharge treatment, f) applying a liquid crystal composition onto the substrate, or the primer coating, g) evaporating the solvent by applying IR-radiation and/or thermal drying, and h) curing the liquid crystal film by means of UV/VIS radiation, wherein the liquid crystal composition comprises A.1 at least one achiral nematic polymerizable monomer and B.1 at least one chiral polymerizable monomer; C.1 at least one photoinitiator, which is an alpha-hydroxy ketone compound of formula (XI), wherein

R₂₉ is hydrogen; R₃₀ is C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₁-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₁₈alkoxy, OCH₂CH₂-OR₃₄,

, c is 2-10; G₁ and G₂ independently of one another are hydrogen or methyl; R₃₁ is hydroxy; R₃₂ and R₃₃ independently of each other are C₁-C₆alkyl; R₃₄ is hydrogen; R₃₅ is hydrogen, or OR₃₆; R₃₆ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl which optionally is interrupted by one or more non-consecutive O-atoms and which uninterrupted or interrupted C₁-C₁₂alkyl optionally is substituted by one

R₃₉ is C₁-C₁₂alkylene which optionally is interrupted by one or more non-consecutive O; C.3 at least one solvent; C.5 optionally at least one leveling agent, and C.10 optionally at least one in-can stabilizer. The process of the present invention does not comprise a thermal treatment of the liquid crystal films during or after polymerizing of the liquid crystal composition which leads to the formation of a fingerprint texture on the surface of the liquid crystal films and, hence, results in the production of fingerprint texture free liquid crystal films, i.e. liquid crystal films without fingerprint texture. "Fingerprint texture" is understood in the context of the present invention to mean surface characteristics which appear, when viewed from the top under the microscope, as a system of lines or strips reminiscent of a fingerprint or a snake's skin. The liquid crystal compositions comprise A.1 at least one achiral nematic polymerizable monomer and B.1 at least one chiral polymerizable monomer; C.1 at least one photoinitiator, which is an alpha-hydroxy ketone compound of formula (XI), wherein

R₂₉ is hydrogen; R₃₀ is C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₁-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₁₈alkoxy, OCH₂CH₂-OR₃₄,

, c is 2-10; G₁ and G₂ independently of one another are hydrogen or methyl; R₃₁ is hydroxy; R₃₂ and R₃₃ independently of each other are C₁-C₆alkyl; R₃₄ is hydrogen; R₃₅ is hydrogen, or OR₃₆; R₃₆ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl which optionally is interrupted by one or more non-consecutive O-atoms and which uninterrupted or interrupted C₁-C₁₂alkyl optionally is substituted by one

R₃₉ is C₁-C₁₂alkylene which optionally is interrupted by one or more non-consecutive O; C.3 at least one solvent; C.5 optionally at least one leveling agent, and C.10 optionally at least one in-can stabilizer. Liquid crystal films according to the present invention obtained by the process according to the present invention and/or obtainable from the liquid crystal composition described in the present invention exhibit excellent thermal stability at high humidity without losing their other advantages like good resistance against chemicals and/or solvents. The liquid crystal films are, for example, obtainable by coating the liquid crystal composition (containing 40 % by weight liquid crystal material) onto a PET layer support with 15 µm bar coater no. 2 resulting in a dry layer thickness of 2.5 µm, drying the coating and crosslinking by UV light. The liquid crystal films can also be produced via printing techniques, such as, for example, flexo, gravure, inkjet or screen printing. As an example, the liquid crystal compositions (containing 37 % by weight liquid crystal material) can be applied via gravure printing onto a PET layer support with a 70l/cm printing cylinder resulting in a dried print weight of 2.6 g/m2. If the obtained liquid crystal film is treated for 14 days at 90 °C/80 % humidity; the color shift of the reflection maximum of the treated liquid crystal film (determined by known optical methods) in comparison to the reflection maximum of the untreated liquid crystal film is less than 20 nm, preferably less than 10 nm. If the obtained liquid crystal film is treated for 30 minutes in a xylene bath at 25 °C and subsequently dried (for example, over 24 hours at room temperature); the color shift of the reflection maximum of the treated liquid crystal film (determined by known optical methods) in comparison to the reflection maximum of the untreated liquid crystal film is less than 10 nm, preferably less than 5 nm. In particular, no visually evident color difference is observed under these conditions. If the obtained liquid crystal film is treated for 30 minutes at a temperature of 120 °C; the color shift of the reflection maximum of the treated liquid crystal film (determined by known optical methods) in comparison to the reflection maximum of the untreated liquid crystal film is less than 25 nm, preferably less than 15 nm. In addition, the liquid crystalline compositions may comprise one or more substances selected from the group consisting of: C.2 reactive diluents which comprise photopolymerizable groups; C.4 defoamers and deaerators; C.6 thermally curing and/or radiatively curing auxiliaries; C.7 substrate wetting aids; C.8 wetting and dispersing aids; C.9 hydrophobizing agents; C.11 auxiliaries for improving scratch resistance; and optionally as component D: one or more substances selected from the group consisting of: D.1 dyes; and D.2 pigments. The photoinitiator (C.1) is preferably an alpha-hydroxy ketone compound of formula ,

, or , R₃₁ is hydroxy; R₃₂ and R₃₃ independently of each other are C₁-C₆alkyl, especially methyl; R₃₄ is hydrogen; R₃₅ is hydrogen. The at present most preferred photinitiators are selected from

In principle, the alpha-hydroxy ketone compounds of formula (XI) can be used in admixture with other photoinitiators, which do not represent CMR compounds and do not negatively affect the thermal stability and resistance against chemicals and solvents of the liquid crystal films obtainable from the liquid crystal compositions of the present application. Examples of such photoinitiators are oxime ester compounds of the formula XIV

, wherein z is 0 or 1; R₇₀ is hydrogen, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; C₁-C₁₂alkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more halogen, phenyl or by CN; or R₇₀ is C₂-C₅alkenyl; phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C₁-C₆alkyl, halogen, CN, OR₇₃, SR₇₄ or by NR₇₅R₇₆; or R₇₀ is C₁- C₈alkoxy, benzyloxy; or phenoxy which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C₁- C₆alkyl or by halogen; R₇₁ is phenyl, naphthyl, benzoyl or naphthoyl, each of which is substituted by one or more halogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, benzyl, phenoxycarbonyl, C₂-C₁₂alkoxycarbonyl, OR₇₃, SR₇₄, SOR₇₄, SO₂R₇₄ or by NR₇₅R₇₆, wherein the substituents OR₇₃, SR₇₄ and NR₇₅R₇₆ optionally form 5- or 6-membered rings via the radicals R₇₃, R₇₄, R₇₅ and/or R₇₆ with further substituents on the phenyl or naphthyl ring; or each of which is substituted by phenyl or by phenyl which is substituted by one or more OR₇₃, SR₇₄ or by NR₇₅R₆₆;

R₇₂ is hydrogen; unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀alkyl or C₁-C₂₀alkyl which is substituted by one or more halogen, OR₇₃, SR₇₄, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl or by phenyl; or is C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; or is phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C₁-C₆alkyl, phenyl, halogen, OR₇₃, SR₇₄ or by NR₇₅R₇₆; or is C₂-C₂₀alkanoyl or benzoyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C₁-C₆alkyl, phenyl, OR₇₃, SR₇₄ or by NR₇₅R₇₆; or is C₂-C₁₂alkoxycarbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl, CN, CONR₇₅R₇₆, NO₂, C₁-C₄haloalkyl, S(O)_y-C₁-C₆alkyl, or S(O)_y-phenyl, y is 1 or 2; Y₂ is a direct bondor no bond;

R₇₃ and R₇₄ independently of one another are hydrogen, C₁-C₂₀alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₃- C₈cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl which is interrupted by one or more, preferably 2, O, phenyl-C₁- C₃alkyl; or are C₁-C₈alkyl which is substituted by OH, SH, CN, C₁-C₈alkoxy, C₁-C₈alkanoyl, C₃- C₈cycloalkyl, by C₃-C₈cycloalkyl which is interrupted by one or more O, or which C₁-C₈alkyl is substituted by benzoyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C₁-C₆alkyl, halogen, OH, C₁-C₄alkoxy or by C₁-C₄alkylsulfanyl; or are phenyl or naphthyl, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, phenyl-C₁-C₃alkyloxy, phenoxy, C₁-C₁₂alkylsulfanyl, phenylsulfanyl, N(C₁-C₁₂alkyl)₂, diphenylamino or by

R₇₅ and R₇₆ independently of each other are hydrogen, C₁-C₂₀alkyl, C₂-C₄hydroxyalkyl, C₂- C₁₀alkoxyalkyl, C₂-C₅alkenyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, phenyl-C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₈alkanoyl, C₃-C₁₂alkenoyl, benzoyl; or are phenyl or naphthyl, each of which is unsubstituted or substituted by C₁- C₁₂alkyl, benzoyl or by C₁-C₁₂alkoxy; or R₇₅ and R₇₆ together are C₂-C₆alkylene optionally interrupted by O or NR₇₃ and optionally are substituted by hydroxyl, C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₂- C₄alkanoyloxy or by benzoyloxy; R₇₇ is C₁-C₁₂alkyl, thienyl or phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by C₁-C₁₂alkyl, OR₇₃, morpholino or by N-carbazolyl. Specific examples are 1,2-octanedione 1-[4-(phenylthio)phenyl]-2-(O-benzoyloxime) (Irgacure^® OXE01), ethanone 1-[9-ethyl-6-(2-methylbenzoyl)-9H-carbazol-3-yl]-1-(O- acetyloxime) (Irgacure^® OXE02), 9H-thioxanthene-2-carboxaldehyde 9-oxo-2-(O- acetyloxime), ethanone 1-[9-ethyl-6-(4morpholinobenzoyl)-9H-carbazol-3-yl]-1-(O- acetyloxime), ethanone 1-[9-ethyl-6-(2-methyl-4-(2-(1,3-dioxo-2-dimethyl-cyclopent-5- yl)ethoxy)-benzoyl)-9H-carbazol-3-yl]-1-(O-acetyloxime) (Adeka N-1919), ethanone 1-[9- ethyl-6-nitro-9H-carbazol-3-yl]-1-[2-methyl-4-(1-methyl-2-methoxy)ethoxy)phenyl]-1-(O- acetyloxime) (Adeka NCI831), etc. The photoinitiators are used typically in a proportion of from about 0.1 to 7.0% by weight based on the total weight of the liquid-crystalline mixture. Especially when the hardening is performed under inert gas atmosphere, it is possible to use significantly smaller amounts of photoinitiators. In this case, the photoinitiators are used in a proportion of from about 0.1 to 1.0% by weight, preferably from 0.2 to 0.6% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid- crystalline mixture. The liquid crystal composition is applied to the substrate and then polymerized. The process for the production of liquid crystal films on (flexible) substrates comprises a) optionally exposing the substrate to a corona discharge or a plasma discharge treatment; b) optionally applying a primer composition on the substrate, which comprises b1) at least one polyurethane (A) comprising as synthesis components (b1a) at least one organic aliphatic, aromatic or cycloaliphatic diisocyanate or polyisocyanate having a functionality of more than 2, (b1b) at least one compound having in each case at least one isocyanate-reactive group and at least one radically polymerizable unsaturated group, (b1c) at least one photoinitiator having at least one isocyanate-reactive group, b2) at least one polyfunctional polymerizable compound (B), b3) a solvent, or a mixture of solvents, c) optionally evaporating the solvent by applying IR-radiation and/or thermal drying, d) optionally curing the primer layer by means of UV/VIS radiation, e) optionally exposing the primered substrate to a corona discharge or a plasma discharge treatment, f) applying a liquid crystal composition onto the substrate, or the primer coating, g) evaporating the solvent by applying IR-radiation and/or thermal drying, and h) curing the liquid crystal film by means of UV/VIS radiation. As described in WO2019/206846 a primer layer may be applied between substrate and liquid crystal layer whereby strongly adherent liquid crystal films, i.e. liquid crystal films having peelforces >20N/m, may be obtained. As materials for the flexible substrate, explicit mention should be made here of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, flexible polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), polycarbonate, cellulose triacetate, polyether sulfone, polyester, polyamide, polyolefins, such as, for example, polypropylene, and acrylic resins. Among these, polyethylene terephthalate, biaxially oriented polypropylene, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, flexible polyvinyl chloride and polymethyl methacrylate are preferred. The flexible substrate is preferably biaxially oriented. The flexible substrate is preferably selected from a biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) film, or a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film. In case a primer composition is applied to the substrate process steps a) and e) are optional. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the process comprises step a), while step e) is omitted. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the process does not comprise step a) and e). The principles of plasma production and maintenance are described, for example, in H. J. Jacobasch et al. in Farbe + Lack 99(7), 602-607 (1993) for low-temperature plasmas under vacuum conditions and by J. Friedrich et al. in Surf. Coat. Technol. 59, 371-6(1993) for plasmas ranging from in vacuo up to normal pressure conditions, the low-temperature plasma changing into a corona discharge. Process steps a) and e) process can also be carried out under corona discharge conditions. Corona discharges are produced under normal pressure conditions, the ionised gas used being most frequently air. In principle, however, other gases and mixtures are also possible, as described, for example, in COATING Vol.2001, No.12, 426, (2001). When a corona discharge is used, air, CO₂ and/or nitrogen are preferably used as the gas. It is especially preferred to use air, H₂, CO₂, He, Ar, Kr, Xe, N₂, O₂ or H₂O singly or in the form of a mixture. The plasma treatment of the flexible substrate preferably takes place for from 1 ms to 300 s, especially from 10 ms to 200 s. After the plasma-, or corona-treatment the primer composition is applied on the flexible substrate in process step b). In principle, it is advantageous to apply the primer composition as quickly as possible after the plasma- or corona-treatment. The primer composition can be applied in process step b) by means of customary processes, for example by means of processes selected from slot die-, knive-, reverse roll-, metering rod coating, gravure-, flexo-, screen-, or ink jet printing. In process step c) the evaporating of the solvent is done by applying infrared radiation (IR radiation), and/or thermal drying, for example, by means of hot air, a hot plate. The evaporating of the solvent is affected preferably at elevated temperature, i.e. by heating, optionally under reduced pressure. It is preferred to carry out process step (c) at a temperature of from 40 to 150°C, more preferably from 60 to 130°C. The thermal energy can originate both from an external heat source as well as from the UV light source, for example a UV lamp. Preferably the thermal energy originates at least partly from a heat source different from the UV light source, for example from an oven or a heating plate. Radiation curing in process steps d) and f) takes place with high-energy light, such as, for example, UV/VIS radiation, or electron beams. Radiation curing may also take place at relatively high temperatures. Examples of suitable radiation sources for the radiation cure are low-pressure mercury lamps, medium-pressure mercury lamps with high-pressure lamps, and fluorescent tubes, pulsed lamps, metal halide lamps, or excimer lamps and also UV LEDs. The radiation cure is accomplished by exposure to high-energy radiation, i.e., UV/VIS radiation, preferably light in the wavelength range of l=200 to 700 nm, more preferably l=200 to 500 nm, or by exposure to high-energy electrons (electron beams; 60 to 300 keV). Examples of radiation sources used include high-pressure mercury vapor lamps, lasers, pulsed lamps (flash light), halogen lamps, UV LEDs, or excimer lamps. The radiation dose normally sufficient for crosslinking in the case of UV curing is in the range from 30 to 3000 mJ/cm2. The liquid crystal composition can be applied in process step f) by means of customary processes, for example by means of processes selected from airblade coating, knife coating, airknife coating, squeegee coating, impregnation coating, reverse roll coating, transfer roll coating, gravure coating, kiss coating, flow coating, spray coating, spin coating, or printing processes such as relief printing, gravure printing, intaglio printing, flexographic printing, offset printing, inkjet printing, letterpress printing, pad printing, heatseal printing or screenprinting processes. The liquid crystal composition is preferably applied by slot die-, knive-, reverse roll-, metering rod coating, gravure-, flexo-, screen-, or ink jet printing. If this has not already been accomplished by the process of application, the composition applied has to be aligned before the polymerization step. The alignment of the liquid- crystalline layer generally proceeds spontaneously during the applying operation; it can, however, also be affected in a downstream step. In this case, the alignment is affected by means of the known methods, for example the interaction of the liquid-crystal phase with alignment layers, the application of electrical or magnetic fields and the mechanical knife coating of the liquid-crystal layers. However, the alignment preferably proceeds spontaneously under the action of the shear forces which act in the course of application. The evaporating of the solvent is done by applying infrared radiation (IR radiation) and/or thermal drying, for example, by means of hot air, a hot plate. The evaporating of the solvent is affected preferably at elevated temperature, i.e. by heating, optionally under reduced pressure, especially at a temperature of from 40 to 150°C, more preferably from 60 to 130°C. The thermal energy can originate both from an external heat source as well as from the UV light source, for example a UV lamp. Preferably the thermal energy originates at least partly from a heat source different from the UV light source, for example from an oven or a heating plate. Optionally a release layer may be applied between the liquid crystal layer and the substrate. The term “liquid-crystalline” is used in the context of the present invention both for nematic and for cholesteric phases, unless otherwise evident from the particular context. The liquid crystal composition is a composition (a.1) comprising at least one achiral nematic polymerizable monomer and at least one chiral polymerizable monomer. Preferably, at least one achiral nematic polymerizable monomer of the composition (a.l) is polyfunctionally and especially difunctionaIly polymerizable. Such monomers are, for example, described in W005049703, WO, 97/00600, WO 2006/120220, W00055110 and G. Challa et al., Makromol. Chem. 190 (1989) 3201-3215).

Preferred achiral nematic difunctionally polymerizable monomers correspond to the general formula I:

Z¹-(Y¹-A¹)_V-Y²-M-Y³-(A²-Y⁴)_W-Z² (I), in which

Z¹, Z² are identical or different reactive groups through which polymerization can be effected, or radicals which comprise such reactive groups, the reactive groups preferably being selected from C=C double bonds, CºC triple bonds, oxirane, thiirane, azirane, cyanate, thiocyanate, isocyanate, carboxylic acid, hydroxyl or amino groups, and preferably from C=C double bonds (these may, for example, be -CH=CH₂ or -C(CH₃)=CH₂ or else -CH=CH(CH₃), preference being given to the first two mentioned);

Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴ are each independently a chemical bond, -0-, -S-, -C0-0-, -0-C0-, -0-C0-0-, - C0-S-, -S-C0-, -C0-N(R^a)-, -N(R³)-C0-, -N(R^a)-C0-0-, -0-C0-N(R^a)-, -N(R^a)-C0- N(R^a)-, -CH₂-0-, -0-CH₂-, preferably -C0-0-, -0-C0- or -0-C0-0-, where R^a is hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl;

A¹, A² are identical or different spacers which are selected from linear C₂-C₃₀_alkylene groups, preferably C₂-C₁₂-alkylene groups, which may be interrupted by -00-0-, oxygen, sulfur and/or optionally monosubstituted nitrogen, where these interrupting groups must not be adjacent; where suitable amine substituents comprise C₁-C^alkyl groups, where the alkylene chains may be substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, methyl or ethyl; and where A¹ and A² are more preferably -(CH₂)_n- where n = from 2 to 6; v and w are each independently 0, 1 or 2;

M is a mesogenic group, preferably a mesogenic group of the general formula II:

(T¹-Y⁵)_y-T² (II), in which each T¹ is independently a divalent alicyclic, saturated or partially unsaturated heterocyclic, aromatic or heteroaromatic radical;

T² is independently as defined for T¹;

Y⁵ represents identical or different bridging members -C0-0-, -O-C0-, -CH₂-0-, -0-CH₂-, -C0-S-, -S-C0-, -CH₂-S-, -S-CH₂, -CH = N -, -N =CH -, -CH = N -N =CH -, -CºC-, -CH=CH -, -C(CH₃) =CH₂, -CH=CH(CH₃)- or a direct bond and is preferably -C0-O- or -O-C0-, and y is an integer from 0 to 3, preferably 0, 1 or 2, in particular 1 or 2 and especially 2.

T² is preferably an aromatic radical and more preferably a phenyl radical. T² is especially a radical of the formula

, in which

R^b is fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy, C₁-C₁₀-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₁₀ alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, nitro, CHO or CN, preferably chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, and especially methyl or methoxycarbonyl; and x is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, preferably 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 and especially 1. Each T1 is independently preferably an aromatic radical, more preferably phenyl or naphthyl and especially 1,4-bonded phenyl or 2,6-bonded naphthyl. Y5 is preferably -CO-O or -O-CO-. y is preferably 2. Particularly preferred mesogenic groups M have the following structures:

in which R^b and x each have one of the general or preferred definitions specified above, where R^b is especially methyl and x is 1, or

in which R^b and x have one of the general or preferred definitions specified above, where R^b is especially methoxycarbonyl and x is 1. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the achiral nematic difunctionally polymerizable monomers are selected from compounds of the following formulae I.a and I.b

and mixtures thereof. However, the composition (a.1) may also comprise a monofunctionally polymerizable achiral nematic monomer. This preferably has the general formula (IIIa) and/or (IIIb): A³-Y²-M-Y³-(A²-Y⁴)_w-Z² (IIIa) Z¹-(Y¹-A¹)_v- ² -M-Y³-A³ (IIIb), in which Z¹, A¹, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, v, w and M are each independently as defined generally or preferably for formula (I); and A³ is a linear C₁-C_30-alkyl group, preferably a linear C₁-C₁₂-alkyl group, which may be interrupted by oxygen, sulfur and/or optionally monosubstituted nitrogen, where these interrupting groups must not be adjacent; where suitable amine substituents comprise C₁-C₄-alkyl groups, where the alkyl group may be substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, methyl or ethyl, or is CN or -N=C=S-. A³ is preferably linear C -C ₈-alkyl or CN and especially linear C ₄C₈ -alkyl or CN. Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴ and Y⁵ are each independently preferably -0-CO-, -CO-0-, -0-CO-0- or a C-C-triple bond. Z¹ is preferably a C-C-double bond (preferably -CH=CH₂ or -C(CH₃)=CH₂). M is preferably a mesogenic group of the general formula II. T¹ and T² are preferably each independently an aromatic group, more preferably phenyl or naphthyl which may bear 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 R^b radicals, where R^b has one of the general or preferred definitions specified above, especially 1,4- bonded phenyl or 2,6-bonded naphthyl which may bear 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 R^b radicals, where R^b has one of the general or preferred definitions specified above, and especially unsubstituted 1,4-bonded phenyl or unsubstituted 2,6-bonded naphthyl. y is preferably 0 or 1. Particularly preferred monofunctionally polymerizable achiral nematic monomers are selected from the following structures:

The at least one achiral nematic polymerizable monomer of the composition (a.1) comprises preferably (i) at least one difunctionally polymerizable achiral nematic monomer of the formula (I), preferably one or two difunctionally polymerizable achiral nematic monomers of the formula (I); and (ii) optionally at least one monofunctionally polymerizable achiral nematic monomer of the formula (IIIa) and/or (IIIb). When the composition (a.1) comprises one or more monofunctionally polymerizable monomers, they are preferably present in the composition in a total amount of not more than 50% by weight, more preferably of not more than 25% by weight, even more preferably of not more than 15% by weight based on the total weight of the poly- and monofunctionally polymerizable achiral nematic monomers. In a specific embodiment, the composition (a.1) does not comprise any monofunctionally polymerizable achiral nematic monomers, but rather only at least one, preferably one or two, polyfunctionally, especially difunctionally, polymerizable achiral nematic monomer(s). The chiral polymerizable monomer of the composition (a.1) are, for example, described in EP1273585, WO0294805, EP0750029 and corresponds preferably to the formula IV:

(IV), where Z¹, Y¹, Y², Y³ and M each have one of the general or preferred definitions specified above for formula (I) o, p are each 0 or 1, where o and p must not both be 0, A⁴ and A⁵ are the same or different; and A⁴ is as defined for A1 when o = 1; or, when o = 0, is a linear C₁-C₃₀-alkyl group, preferably C₁-C₁₂-alkyl group, which may be interrupted by oxygen, sulfur and/or optionally monosubstituted nitrogen, where these interrupting groups must not be adjacent; where suitable amine substituents comprise C₁-C₄-alkyl groups, where the alkyl groups may be substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, methyl or ethyl, and where A⁴ more preferably represents CH₃(CH₂)_l groups where l = from 1 to 7; A⁵ is as defined for A1 when p = 1; or, when p = 0, is a linear C₁-C₃₀-alkyl group, preferably C₁-C₁₂-alkyl group, which may be interrupted by oxygen, sulfur and/or optionally monosubstituted nitrogen, where these interrupting groups must not be adjacent; where suitable amine substituents comprise C₁-C₄-alkyl groups, where the alkyl groups may be substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, methyl or ethyl, and where A⁵ more preferably represents CH₃(CH₂)_l groups where l = from 1 to 7; n, m are each 0, 1 or 2, where the sum of n+m is 1 or 2, preferably 2; and X is a chiral radical. The mesogenic M groups preferably have the formula II (T¹-Y⁵)_y-T² (II) in which T1, T² and Y5 each have one of the general or preferred definitions specified above. y has one of the general definitions specified above, but is preferably 0 or 1. T² is preferably an aromatic radical and more preferably a phenyl radical. T² is especially a radical of the formula

, in which R^b is fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxy, C₁-C₁₀-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₁₀- alkylcarbonyloxy, C₁-C₁₀-alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, nitro, CHO or CN, preferably chlorine, bromine, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, and especially methyl or methoxycarbonyl; and x is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, preferably 0, 1 or 2, more preferably 0 or 1 and especially 0. Each T1 independently is preferably an aromatic radical, more preferably phenyl or naphthyl, even more preferably 1,4-bonded phenyl or 2,6-bonded naphthyl and especially unsubstituted 1,4-bonded phenyl or unsubstituted 2,6-bonded naphthyl. Y5 is preferably -CO-0- or -0-CO-. y is preferably 0 or 1. Among the chiral X radicals of the compounds of the general formula IV, for reasons including easier availability, preference is given especially to those which derive from sugars, dinaphthyl or diphenyl derivates and optically active glycols, alcohols or amino acids. Among the sugars, especially pentoses and hexoses and derivatives derived therefrom should be mentioned. Examples of X radicals are the following structures, where the terminal dashes are in each case the free valences.

L¹ is C₁-C ₄alkyl, C₁ -C ₄-alkoxy, halogen, COOR^c, OCOR^c or NHCOR^c, and R^c is C₁-C₄-alkyl or hydrogen. Particular preference is given to

Additionally suitable are also chiral groups which have the following structures:

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the chiral polymerizable monomer is selected from the following structural formulae

Among these, preference is given to the compounds of the formulae IV.a, IV.b and IV.c and particular preference to the compounds of the formulae IV.a and IV.c. Especially preferred is the compound of the formula IV.a. The layer (a) preferably comprises the composition (a.1) in hardened form. With regard to preferred configurations of the composition (a.1), reference is made to the statements above. The composition (a.1) preferably comprises the nematic polymerizable monomer in an amount of from 80 to 99.5% by weight and the chiral polymerizable monomer in an amount of from 0.5 to 20% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the composition (a.1). The proportion of chiral-nematic monomer determines the spectral region in which the composition (a.1) reflects after alignment and hardening. The desired reflection range can be established with the aid of simple preliminary tests as a function of the individual nematic and chiral components and their particular concentrations. The composition (a.1) more preferably comprises the nematic polymerizable monomer(s) in an amount of from 85 to 99.5% by weight, more preferably from 85 to 99% by weight and especially from 90 to 98% by weight, and the chiral polymerizable monomer in an amount of from 0.5 to 15% by weight, more preferably from 1 to 15% by weight and especially from 2 to 10% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the nematic polymerizable monomers and of the chiral polymerizable monomers in the composition (a.1). With regard to suitable and preferred ratios for monomers used with preference, reference is made to the above remarks. Group (C.3) of the solvents includes, for example, C₁-C₄-alcohols, for example methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol, sec-butanol, tert-butanol, and the C₅- C₁₂-alcohols n-pentanol, n-hexanol, n-heptanol, n-octanol, n-nonanol, n-decanol, n- undecanol and n-dodecanol and isomers thereof, glycols, for example 1,2-ethylene glycol, 1,2- or 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,2-, 2,3- or 1,4-butylene glycol, di- or triethylene glycol or di- or tripropylene glycol, ethers, for example open-chain ethers such as methyl tert-butyl ether, 1,2-ethylene glycol monomethyl or dimethyl ether, 1,2-ethylene glycol monoethyl or diethyl ether, 3-methoxypropanol or 3-isopropoxypropanol, or cyclic ethers such as tetrahydrofuran or dioxane, open-chain ketones, for example acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or diacetone alcohol (4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone), cyclic ketones such as cyclopentanone, or cyclohexanone, C₁-C₅-alkyl esters, for example methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, butyl acetate or amyl acetate, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl esters such as 1-methoxyprop-2-yl acetate, carboxamides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide, N-heterocycles such as N-methylpyrrolidone, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons, for example pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, isooctane, petroleum ether, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, tetralin, decalin, dimethylnaphthalene, white spirit, Shellsol^® or Solvesso^®, mineral oils, for example gasoline, kerosene, diesel oil or heating oil, but also natural oils, for example olive oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, linseed oil or sunflower oil. As a matter of course, mixtures of these solvents are also useful for use in the inventive mixtures. When there is at least partial miscibility, these solvents may also be mixed with water. Useful solvents in this context are, for instance, C₁-C₄-alcohols, e.g. methanol, ethanol, n- propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol or sec-butanol, glycols, e.g. 1,2-ethylene glycol, 1,2- or 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,2-, 2,3- or 1,4-butylene glycol, di- or triethylene glycol or di- or tripropylene glycol, ethers, e.g. tetrahydrofuran or dioxane, ketones, e.g. acetone, methyl ethyl ketone or diacetone alcohol (4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone), or C₁-C₄-alkyl esters, for example methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate or butyl acetate. Such aqueous mixtures often have limited miscibility with relatively nonpolar solvents, for example the aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons already mentioned, mineral oils but also natural oils, which then also allows ternary (or quasi-ternary) solvents composed of water, at least partly water-miscible and water-immiscible solvents to be prepared and used. Suitable solvents for the compounds of group (a.1) are especially linear or branched esters, particularly acetic esters, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl esters such as 1-methoxyprop-2-yl acetate, cyclic esters, carboxamides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide, open-chain and cyclic ethers, alcohols, lactones, open-chain and cyclic ketones, and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene, xylene and cyclohexane. Preferred solvents for the compounds of groups (a.1) or (a.2) are C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl esters such as 1- methoxyprop-2-yl acetate, carboxamides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide, open-chain ethers such as 1,2-ethylene glycol mono- or dimethyl ether, 1,2-ethylene glycol mono- or diethyl ether, 3-methoxypropanol or 3-isopropoxypropanol, open-chain and cyclic ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, diacetone alcohol (4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone) or cyclopentanone, or cyclohexanone, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol, sec-butanol, tert-butanol, n-pentanol, n-hexanol, n-heptanol, n-octanol, n- nonanol, n-decanol, n-undecanol and n-dodecanol, lactones such as N-methylpyrrolidone, and aromatics such as toluene. Greater preference is given to said carboxamides, open-chain ethers, open-chain and cyclic ketones and lactones. In particular, said open-chain and cyclic ketones or mixtures thereof are used. If desired, the composition (a.1) as well as the components already mentioned which are responsible for the reflection behavior, may comprise further mixture constituents which are preferably selected from - at least one component C which is in turn selected from (C.2) reactive diluents which comprise photopolymerizable groups; (C.4) defoamers and deaerating agents; (C.5) lubricants and leveling agents; (C.6) thermally curing and/or radiation-curing auxiliaries; (C.7) substrate wetting auxiliaries; (C.8) wetting and dispersing auxiliaries; (C.9) hydrophobizing agents; (C.10) in-can stabilizers; and (C.11) auxiliaries for improving scratch resistance; - at least one component D which is in turn selected from (D.1) dyes; and (D.2) pigments; - at least one component E which is in turn selected from light, heat and oxidation stabilizers; and - at least one component F which is in turn selected from IR-absorbing compounds. Reactive diluents (C.2) are used, for example, as polymerizable diluents in component (a.4); they are then necessarily part of the inventive mixture. The reactive diluents used are not only those substances which are referred to as reactive diluents in the actual sense (group C.2.1), but also auxiliary compounds which comprise one or more complementary reactive units, for example hydroxyl or amino groups, through which a reaction with the polymerizable units of the liquid-crystalline compounds can be effected (group C.2.2). The substances of group (C.2.1) which are typically capable of photopolymerization include, for example, mono-, bi- or polyfunctional compounds having at least one olefinic double bond. Examples thereof are vinyl esters of carboxylic acids, for example of lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid or stearic acid, or of dicarboxylic acids, for example of succinic acid and adipic acid, allyl or vinyl ethers or methacrylic or acrylic esters of monofunctional alcohols, for example of lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, palmityl alcohol or stearyl alcohol, or diallyl or divinyl ethers of bifunctional alcohols, for example of ethylene glycol and of butane-1,4-diol. Further useful examples are methacrylic or acrylic esters of polyfunctional alcohols, especially those which, as well as the hydroxyl groups, comprise no further functional groups or, at most, ether groups. Examples of such alcohols are, for example, bifunctional alcohols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and their more highly condensed representatives, for example diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, etc., butanediol, pentanediol, hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, alkoxylated phenolic compounds such as ethoxylated or propoxylated bisphenols, cyclohexanedimethanol, trifunctional and higher-functionality alcohols such as glycerol, trimethylolpropane, butanetriol, trimethylolethane, pentaerythritol, ditrimethylolpropane, dipentaerythritol, sorbitol, mannitol and the corresponding alkoxylated, especially ethoxylated and propoxylated, alcohols. Further useful reactive diluents of group (C.2.1) are polyester (meth)acrylate, which is the (meth)acrylic esters of polyesterols. Useful polyesterols include, for example, those which can be prepared by esterifying polycarboxylic acids, preferably dicarboxylic acids, with polyols, preferably diols. The starting materials for such hydroxyl-containing polyesters are known to those skilled in the art. The dicarboxylic acids used may be succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, o- phthalic acid, and their isomers and hydrogenation products, and also esterifiable or transesterifiable derivatives of the acids mentioned, for example anhydrides or dialkyl esters. Useful polyols include the abovementioned alcohols, preferably ethylene glycol, 1,2- and 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, cyclohexanedimethanol and polyglycols of the ethylene glycol and propylene glycol type. Also useful as reactive diluents of group (C.2.1) are 1,4-divinylbenzene, triallyl cyanurate, acrylic esters of tricyclodecenyl alcohol of the following formula

also known by the name dihydrodicyclopentadienyl acrylate, and the allyl esters of acrylic acid, of methacrylic acid and of cyanoacrylic acid. Among the reactive diluents of group (C.2.1) mentioned by way of example, those used are especially, with regard to the preferred inventive mixtures addressed above, those which comprise photopolymerizable groups. The group (C.2.2) includes, for example, di- or polyhydric alcohols, for example ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and their more highly condensed representatives, for example diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, etc., butanediol, pentanediol, hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, cyclohexanedimethanol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane, butanetriol, trimethylolethane, pentaerythritol, ditrimethylolpropane, dipentaerythritol, sorbitol, mannitol and the corresponding alkoxylated, especially ethoxylated and propoxylated, alcohols. The group (C.2.2) also includes, for example, alkoxylated phenolic compounds, for instance ethoxylated or propoxylated bisphenols. These reactive diluents may also, for example, be epoxide (meth)acrylates or urethane (meth)acrylates. Epoxide (meth)acrylates are, for example, those as obtainable by reaction, known to those skilled in the art, of epoxidized olefins or poly- or diglycidyl ethers, such as bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, with (meth)acrylic acid. Urethane (meth)acrylates are, in particular, reaction products, likewise known to those skilled in the art, of hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates with poly- or diisocyanates. Such epoxide (meth)acrylates or urethane (meth)acrylates should be regarded as "mixed forms" of the compounds listed under groups (C.2.1) and (C.2.2). When reactive diluents are used, their amount and properties have to be adjusted to the particular conditions in such a way that, on the one hand, a satisfactory desired effect, for example the desired color of the inventive mixtures, is achieved, but, on the other hand, the phase behavior of the liquid-crystalline mixture is not too greatly impaired. For the preparation of low-crosslinking (high-crosslinking) liquid-crystalline mixtures, it is possible, for example, to use corresponding reactive diluents which have a relatively low (high) number of reactive units per molecule. The reactive diluents are typically used in a proportion of from 0.5 to 20.0% by weight based on the total weight of the liquid-crystalline mixture. Components (a.1), (a.2) or (a.3), or mixtures which comprise these components, may also comprise small amounts of polymerizable diluents. Preferred polymerizable diluents which can be added to (a.1), (a.2) or (a.3) are acrylates, especially higher-functionality acrylates such as bis-, tris- or tetraacrylates, more preferably high-boiling oligoacrylates. The preferred amount added is about 5% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. The reactive diluents are used typically in a proportion of from about 0.5 to 10.0% by weight, preferably from about 1.0 to 5.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. When the composition is a solution or dispersion, the proportion of solvent is preferably from 5 to 95% by weight, more preferably from 30 to 80% by weight and in particular from 40 to 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. The effect of the defoamers and deaerating agents (C.4), lubricants and leveling agents (C.5), thermally curing or radiation-curing auxiliaries (C.6), substrate wetting auxiliaries (C.7), wetting and dispersing auxiliaries (C.8), hydrophobizing agents (C.9), in-can stabilizers (C.10) and auxiliaries for improving scratch resistance (C.11) listed under component C usually cannot be strictly distinguished from one another. For instance, lubricants and leveling agents often additionally act as defoamers and/or deaerating agents and/or as auxiliaries for improving scratch resistance. Radiation-curing auxiliaries can in turn act as lubricants and leveling agents and/or deaerating agents and/or also as substrate wetting auxiliaries. In accordance with the above statements, a certain additive may therefore be attributed to more than one of the groups (C.4) to (C.11) described below. The defoamers of group (C.4) include silicon-free and silicon-containing polymers. The silicon-containing polymers are, for example, unmodified or modified polydialkylsiloxanes or branched copolymers, comb copolymers or block copolymers composed of polydialkylsiloxane and polyether units, the latter being obtainable from ethylene oxide or propylene oxide. The deaerating agents of group (C.4) include, for example, organic polymers, for instance polyethers and polyacrylates, dialkylpolysiloxanes, especially dimethylpolysiloxanes, organically modified polysiloxanes, for instance arylalkyl-modified polysiloxanes, or else fluorosilicones. The action of defoamers is based essentially on preventing foam formation or destroying foam which has already formed. Deaerating agents act essentially in such a way that they promote the coalescence of finely distributed gas or air bubbles to larger bubbles in the medium to be deaerated, for example the inventive mixtures, and hence accelerate the escape of the gas (or of the air). Since defoamers can often also be used as deaerating agents and vice versa, these additives have been combined together under group (C.4). Such auxiliaries are, for example, obtainable commercially from Tego as TEGO^® Foamex 800, TEGO^® Foamex 805, TEGO^® Foamex 810, TEGO^® Foamex 815, TEGO^® Foamex 825, TEGO^® Foamex 835, TEGO^® Foamex 840, TEGO^® Foamex 842, TEGO^® Foamex 1435, TEGO^® Foamex 1488, TEGO^® Foamex 1495, TEGO^® Foamex 3062, TEGO^® Foamex 7447, TEGO^® Foamex 8020, Tego^® Foamex N, TEGO^® Foamex K 3, TEGO^® Antifoam 2-18, TEGO^® Antifoam 2-57, TEGO^® Antifoam 2-80, TEGO^® Antifoam 2-82, TEGO^® Antifoam 2-89, TEGO^® Antifoam 2-92, TEGO^® Antifoam 14, TEGO^® Antifoam 28, TEGO^® Antifoam 81, TEGO^® Antifoam D 90, TEGO^® Antifoam 93, TEGO^® Antifoam 200, TEGO^® Antifoam 201, TEGO^® Antifoam 202, TEGO^® Antifoam 793, TEGO^® Antifoam 1488, TEGO^® Antifoam 3062, TEGOPREN^® 5803, TEGOPREN^® 5852, TEGOPREN^® 5863, TEGOPREN^® 7008, TEGO^® Antifoam 1-60, TEGO^® Antifoam 1-62, TEGO^® Antifoam 1-85, TEGO^® Antifoam 2-67, TEGO^® Antifoam WM 20, TEGO^® Antifoam 50, TEGO^® Antifoam 105, TEGO^® Antifoam 730, TEGO^® Antifoam MR 1015, TEGO^® Antifoam MR 1016, TEGO^® Antifoam 1435, TEGO^® Antifoam N, TEGO^® Antifoam KS 6, TEGO^® Antifoam KS 10, TEGO^® Antifoam KS 53, TEGO^® Antifoam KS 95, TEGO^® Antifoam KS 100, TEGO^® Antifoam KE 600, TEGO^® Antifoam KS 911, TEGO^® Antifoam MR 1000, TEGO^® Antifoam KS 1100, Tego^® Airex 900, Tego^® Airex 910, Tego^® Airex 931, Tego^® Airex 935, Tego^® Airex 960, Tego^® Airex 970, Tego^® Airex 980 and Tego^® Airex 985, and from BYK as BYK^®-011, BYK^®-019, BYK^®-020, BYK^®-021, BYK^®-022, BYK^®-023, BYK^®-024, BYK^®- 025, BYK^®-027, BYK^®-031, BYK^®-032, BYK^®-033, BYK^®-034, BYK^®-035, BYK^®-036, BYK^®-037, BYK^®-045, BYK^®-051, BYK^®-052, BYK^®-053, BYK^®-055, BYK^®-057, BYK^®-065, BYK^®-067, BYK^®-070, BYK^®-080, BYK^®-088, BYK^®-141 and BYK^®-A 530. The auxiliaries of group (C.4) are typically used in a proportion of from about 0.05 to 3.0% by weight, preferably from about 0.5 to 2.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid-crystalline mixture. The group (C.5) of the lubricants and leveling agents includes, for example, silicon-free but also silicon-containing polymers, for example polyacrylates or modified low molecular weight polydialkylsiloxanes. The modification consists in replacing some of the alkyl groups with a wide variety of organic radicals. These organic radicals are, for example, polyethers, polyesters or else long-chain alkyl radicals, the former finding most frequent use. The polyether radicals of the correspondingly modified polysiloxanes are typically formed by means of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide units. The higher the proportion of these alkylene oxide units is in the modified polysiloxane, the more hydrophilic is generally the resulting product. Such auxiliaries are obtainable commercially, for example, from Tego as TEGO^® Glide 100, TEGO^® Glide ZG 400, TEGO^® Glide 406, TEGO^® Glide 410, TEGO^® Glide 411, TEGO^® Glide 415, TEGO^® Glide 420, TEGO^® Glide 435, TEGO^® Glide 440, TEGO^® Glide 450, TEGO^® Glide A 115, TEGO^® Glide B 1484 (also usable as a defoamer and deaerating agent), TEGO^® Flow ATF, TEGO^® Flow ATF2, TEGO^® Flow 300, TEGO^® Flow 460, TEGO^® Flow 425 and TEGO^® Flow ZFS 460. The radiation-curable lubricants and leveling agents used, which additionally also serve to improve scratch resistance, can be the products TEGO^® Rad 2100, TEGO^® Rad 2200, TEGO^® Rad 2300, TEGO^® Rad 2500, TEGO^® Rad 2600, TEGO^® Rad 2700 and TEGO^® Twin 4000, likewise obtainable from Tego. Such auxiliaries are obtainable from BYK, for example as BYK^®-300, BYK^®-306, BYK^®-307, BYK^®-310, BYK^®-320, BYK^®-322, BYK^®-331, BYK^®-333, BYK^®-337, BYK^®-341, Byk^® 354, Byk^® 361 N, BYK^®-378 and BYK^®-388. The auxiliaries of group (C.5) are typically used in a proportion of from about 0.005 to 1.0% by weight, preferably from about 0.01 to 0.2% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid- crystalline mixture. Group (C.6) includes, as radiation-curing auxiliaries, in particular polysiloxanes with terminal double bonds which are, for example, part of an acrylate group. Such auxiliaries can be made to crosslink by actinic or, for example, electron beam radiation. These auxiliaries generally combine several properties in one. In the uncrosslinked state, they can act as defoamers, deaerating agents, lubricants and leveling agents and/or substrate wetting aids; in the crosslinked state, they increase in particular the scratch resistance, for example of coatings or films which can be produced with the inventive mixtures. The improvement in the shine performance, for example, coatings or films can essentially be regarded as the effect of the action of these auxiliaries as defoamers, devolatilizers and/or lubricants and leveling agents (in the uncrosslinked state). The radiation-curing auxiliaries which can be used are, for example, the products TEGO^® Rad 2100, TEGO^® Rad 2200, TEGO^® Rad 2500, TEGO^® Rad 2600 and TEGO^® Rad 2700 obtainable from Tego, and the product BYK^®-371 obtainable from BYK. Thermally curing auxiliaries of group (C.6) comprise, for example, primary OH groups which can react with isocyanate groups, for example, of the binder. The thermally curing auxiliaries used can, for example, be the products BYK^®-370, BYK^®- 373 and BYK^®-375 obtainable from BYK. The auxiliaries of group (C.6) are typically used in a proportion of from about 0.1 to 5.0% by weight, preferably from about 0.1 to 3.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid-crystalline mixture. The auxiliaries of group (C.7) of the substrate wetting aids serve in particular to increase the wettability of the substrate, which is to be imprinted or coated, for instance, by printing inks or coating compositions, for example compositions (a.1) to (a.5). The generally associated improvement in the lubricating and leveling performance of such printing inks or coating compositions has an effect on the appearance of the finished (for example crosslinked) print or of the finished (for example crosslinked) layer. A wide variety of such auxiliaries are commercially available, for example, from Tego as TEGO^® Wet KL 245, TEGO^® Wet 250, TEGO^® Wet 260 and TEGO^® Wet ZFS 453, and from BYK as BYK^®-306, BYK^®-307, BYK^®-310, BYK^®-333, BYK^®-344, BYK^®-345, BYK^®-346 and Byk^®-348. Also very suitable are the products of the Zonyl^® brand from Dupont, such as Zonyl^® FSA and Zonyl^® FSG. These are fluorinated surfactants/wetting agents. The auxiliaries of group (C.7) are typically used in a proportion of from about 0.01 to 3.0% by weight, preferably from about 0.01 to 1.5% by weight and especially from 0.03 to 1.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid-crystalline mixture. The auxiliaries of group (C.8) of the wetting and dispersing aids serve in particular to prevent the leaching and floating and also the settling of pigments, and are therefore useful, if necessary, in pigmented compositions in particular. These auxiliaries stabilize pigment dispersions essentially by electrostatic repulsion and/or steric hindrance of the additized pigment particles, the interaction of the auxiliary with the surrounding medium (for example binder) playing a major role in the latter case. Since the use of such wetting and dispersing aids is common practice, for example, in the technical field of printing inks and paints, the selection of such a suitable auxiliary in the given case generally presents no difficulties to the person skilled in the art. Such wetting and dispersing aids are supplied commercially, for example, by Tego as TEGO^® Dispers 610, TEGO^® Dispers 610 S, TEGO^® Dispers 630, TEGO^® Dispers 700, TEGO^® Dispers 705, TEGO^® Dispers 710, TEGO^® Dispers 720 W, TEGO^® Dispers 725 W, TEGO^® Dispers 730 W, TEGO^® Dispers 735 W and TEGO^® Dispers 740 W, and by BYK as Disperbyk^®, Disperbyk^®-107, Disperbyk^®-108, Disperbyk^®-110, Disperbyk^®-111, Disperbyk^®-115, Disperbyk^®-130, Disperbyk^®-160, Disperbyk^®-161, Disperbyk^®-162, Disperbyk^®-163, Disperbyk^®-164, Disperbyk^®-165, Disperbyk^®-166, Disperbyk^®-167, Disperbyk^®-170, Disperbyk^®-174, Disperbyk^®-180, Disperbyk^®-181, Disperbyk^®-182, Disperbyk^®-183, Disperbyk^®-184, Disperbyk^®-185, Disperbyk^®-190, Anti-Terra^®-U, Anti-Terra^®-U 80, Anti- Terra^®-P, Anti-Terra^®-203, Anti-Terra^®-204, Anti-Terra^® 5206, BYK^®-151, BYK^®-154, BYK^®- 155, BYK^®-P 104 S, BYK^®-P 105, Lactimon^®, Lactimon^®-WS and Bykumen^®. The abovementioned Zonyl^® brands, such as Zonyl^® FSA and Zonyl^® FSG, from DuPont are also useful here. The dosage of the auxiliaries of group (C.8) depends mainly upon the surface area of the pigments to be covered and upon the mean molar mass of the auxiliary. For inorganic pigments and low molecular weight auxiliaries, a content of the latter of from about 0.5 to 2.0% by weight based on the total weight of pigment and auxiliary is typically assumed. In the case of high molecular weight auxiliaries, the content is increased to from about 1.0 to 30% by weight. In the case of organic pigments and low molecular weight auxiliaries, the content of the latter is from about 1.0 to 5.0% by weight based on the total weight of pigment and auxiliary. In the case of high molecular weight auxiliaries, this content may be in the range from about 10.0 to 90% by weight. In every case, therefore, preliminary experiments are recommended, which can, though, be accomplished by the person skilled in the art in a simple manner. The hydrophobizing agents of group (C.9) can be used with a view, for example, to providing prints or coatings obtained with inventive mixtures with water-repellent properties. This means that swelling resulting from water absorption and hence a change, for example, in the optical properties of such prints or coatings is no longer possible or at least greatly suppressed. In addition, when the mixtures are used, for example, as a printing ink in offset printing, their absorption of water can be prevented or at least greatly inhibited. Such hydrophobizing agents are commercially available, for example, from Tego as Tego^® Phobe WF, Tego^® Phobe 1000, Tego^® Phobe 1000 S, Tego^® Phobe 1010, Tego^® Phobe 1030, Tego^® Phobe 1040, Tego^® Phobe 1050, Tego^® Phobe 1200, Tego^® Phobe 1300, Tego^® Phobe 1310 and Tego^® Phobe 1400. The auxiliaries of group (C.9) are used typically in a proportion of from about 0.05 to 5.0% by weight, preferably from about 0.1 to 3.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid- crystalline mixture. In-can stabilizers of group (C.10) provide increased storage stability from manufacturing to curing. Examples of in-can stabilizers of group (C.10) are: Phosphites and phosphonites (processing stabilizer), for example triphenyl phosphite, diphenylalkyl phosphites, phenyldialkyl phosphites, tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite, trilauryl phosphite, trioctadecyl phosphite, distearylpentaerythritol diphosphite, tris(2,4-di-tert- butylphenyl) phosphite, diisodecyl pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert- butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di-cumylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, diisodecyloxypentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4,6- tris(tert-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, tristearyl sorbitol triphosphite, tetrakis(2,4- di-tert-butylphenyl) 4,4'-biphenylene diphosphonite, 6-isooctyloxy-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert-butyl- 12H-dibenz[d,g]-1,3,2-dioxaphosphocin, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl)methyl phosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl)ethyl phosphite, 6-fluoro-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert- butyl-12-methyl-dibenz[d,g]-1,3,2-dioxaphosphocin, 2,2',2''-nitrilo[triethyltris(3,3',5,5'-tetra- tert-butyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diyl)phosphite], 2-ethylhexyl(3,3',5,5'-tetra-tert-butyl-1,1'- biphenyl-2,2'-diyl)phosphite, 5-butyl-5-ethyl-2-(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenoxy)-1,3,2- dioxaphosphirane, phosphorous acid, mixed 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenyl and 4-(1,1- dimethylpropyl)phenyl triesters (CAS No. 939402-02-5), Phosphorous acid, triphenyl ester, polymer with alpha-hydro-omega-hydroxypoly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], C10-16 alkyl esters (CAS No. 1227937-46-3). The following phosphites are especially preferred: Tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite,

Quinone methides of the formula

(providing long term shelf life stability), wherein R²¹ and R²² independently of each other are C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₇-C₁₅-phenylalkyl, optionally substituted C₆-C₁₀aryl; R²³ and R²⁴ independently of each other are H, optionally substituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl, 2-,3-,4- pyridyl, 2-,3-furyl or thienyl, COOH, COOR²⁵, CONH₂, CONHR²⁵, CONR²⁵R²⁶, -CN, - OR²⁵, ̶ OCOR²⁵, ̶OPO(OR²⁵)₂, wherein R²⁵ and R²⁶ are independently of each other C₁-C₈alkyl, or phenyl. Quinone methides are preferred, wherein R²¹ and R²² are tert-butyl; R²³ is H, and R²⁴is optionally substituted phenyl, COOH, COOR²⁵, CONH₂, CONHR²⁵, CONR²⁵ R²⁶, -CN,-COR²⁵, -OCOR²⁵, -OPO(OR²⁵)₂, wherein ²⁵ and ^{26 a}re C₁-C₈alkyl, or phenyl. Examples of quinone methides are

The quinone methides may be used in combination with highly sterically hindered nitroxyl radicals as described, for example, in US20110319535. tert-butylhydroxytoluene

In-can stabilizers of group (C.10) are used typically in a proportion of from about 0.01 to 1.0 % by weight, preferably from about 0.04 to 0.7 % by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid-crystalline mixture. The group (C.11) of the auxiliaries for improving scratch resistance includes, for example, the products TEGO^® Rad 2100, TEGO^® Rad 2200, TEGO^® Rad 2500, TEGO^® Rad 2600 and TEGO^® Rad 2700 which are obtainable from Tego and have already been mentioned above. For these auxiliaries, useful amounts are likewise those mentioned in group (C.6), i.e. these additives are typically used in a proportion of from about 0.1 to 5.0% by weight, preferably from about 0.1 to 3.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid-crystalline mixture. The group (D.1) of the dyes includes, for example, dyes from the class of the azo dyes, metal complex dyes, basic dyes such as di- and triarylmethane dyes and salts thereof, azomethine derivatives, polymethines, antraquinone dyes and the like. An overview of suitable dyes which can be used in the inventive mixture is given by the book by H. Zollinger, "Color Chemistry", Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 3rd edition 2003. It is in particular also possible to add to the inventive mixtures photochromic, thermochromic or luminescent dyes, and dyes which have a combination of these properties. In addition to the typical fluorescent dyes, fluorescent dyes should also be understood to mean optical brighteners. Examples of the latter include the class of the bisstyrylbenzenes, especially of the cyanostyryl compounds, and correspond to the formula

Further suitable optical brighteners from the class of the stilbenes are, for example, those of the formulae

in which Q¹ is in each case C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl or cyano, Q² is benzoxazol-2-yl, which may be mono- or disubstituted by C₁-C₄-alkyl, especially methyl, Q³ is C₁-C₄- alkoxycarbonyl or 3-(C₁-C₄-alkyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl. Further suitable optical brighteners from the class of the benzoxazoles obey, for example, the formulae

in which Q⁴ is in each case C₁-C₄-alkyl, especially methyl, L is a radical of the formula

and n is an integer from 0 to 2. Suitable optical brighteners from the class of the coumarins have, for example, the formula

in which Q⁵ is C₁-C₄-alkyl and Q⁶ is phenyl or 3-halopyrazol-1-yl, especially 3-chloropyrazol-1-yl. Further suitable optical brighteners from the class of the pyrenes correspond, for example, to the formula

in which Q⁷ is in each case C₁-C₄-alkoxy, especially methoxy. The abovementioned brighteners can be used either alone or in a mixture with one another. The abovementioned optical brighteners are generally commercially available products known per se. They are described, for example, in Ullmann`s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 5^th edition, volume A18, pages 156 to 161, or can be obtained by the methods described there. In particular, if desired, one or more optical brighteners from the class of the bisstyrylbenzenes is used, especially of the cyanostyrylbenzenes. The latter may be used as individual compounds, but also as a mixture of the isomeric compounds. In this case, the isomers correspond to the formulae

Optical brighteners are sold, for example, commercially as Ultraphor^® SF 004, Ultraphor^® SF MO, Ultraphor^® SF MP and Ultraphor^® SF PO from BASF SE. The group (D.2) of the pigments includes both inorganic and organic pigments. An overview of inorganic colored pigments which can be used in the inventive mixtures is given by the book by H. Endriß "Aktuelle anorganische Bunt-Pigmente" ["Current inorganic colored pigments"] (publisher U. Zorll, Curt-R.-Vincentz-Verlag Hanover 1997), and the book by G. Buxbaum, "Industrial Inorganic Pigments", Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 3^rd edition 2005. In addition, useful further pigments which are not listed in the aforementioned book are also Pigment Black 6 and Pigment Black 7 (carbon black), Pigment Black 11 (iron oxide black, Fe₃O₄), Pigment White 4 (zinc oxide, ZnO), Pigment White 5 (lithopone, ZnS/BaSO₄), Pigment White 6 (titanium oxide, TiO₂) and Pigment White 7 (zinc sulfide, ZnS). An overview of organic pigments which can be added to the inventive mixtures is provided by the book by W. Herbst and K. Hunger "Industrielle organische Pigmente" ["Industrial Organic Pigments"], Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 3rd edition 2004. It is also possible to add to the inventive mixtures magnetic, electrically conductive, photochromic, thermochromic or luminescent pigments, and also pigments which have a combination of these properties. In addition to some organic pigments, for example Lumogen^® Yellow 0795 (BASF SE), useful pigments having luminescent properties are also inorganic, doped or undoped compounds essentially based on alkaline earth metal oxides, alkaline earth metal/transition metal oxides, alkaline earth metal/aluminum oxides, alkaline earth metal/silicon oxides or alkaline earth metal/phosphorus oxides, alkaline earth metal halides, Zn/silicon oxides, Zn/alkaline earth metal halides, rare earth metal oxides, rare earth metal/transition metal oxides, rare earth metal/aluminum oxides, rare earth metal/silicon oxides or rare earth metal/phosphorus oxides, rare earth metal oxide sulfides or oxide halides, zinc oxide, sulfide or selenide, cadmium oxide, sulfide or selenide or zinc/cadmium oxide, sulfide or selenide, the cadmium compounds being of lower importance owing to their toxicological and ecological relevance. The dopants used in these compounds are usually aluminum, tin, antimony, rare earth metals, such as cerium, europium or terbium, transition metals, such as manganese, copper, silver or zinc, or combinations of these elements. Luminescent pigments are specified below by way of example, the notation "compound:element(s)" being taken to mean to the relevant person skilled in the art that said compound has been doped with the corresponding element(s). In addition, for example, the notation "(P,V)", denotes that the corresponding lattice positions in the solid structure of the pigment are randomly occupied by phosphorus and vanadium. Examples of such compounds which are capable of luminescence are MgWO₄, CaWO₄, Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅:Eu, BaMg₂Al₁₀O₂₇:Eu, MgAl₁₁O₁₉:Ce,Tb, MgSiO₃:Mn, Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(F,Cl):Sb,Mn, (SrMg)₂P₂O₇:Eu, SrMg₂P₂O₇:Sn, BaFCl:Eu, Zn₂SiO₄:Mn, (Zn,Mg)F₂:Mn, Y₂O₃:Eu, YVO₄:Eu, Y(P,V)O₄:Eu, Y₂SiO₅:Ce,Tb, Y₂O₂S:Eu, Y₂O₂S:Tb, La₂O₂S:Tb, Gd₂O₂S:Tb, LaOBr:Tb, ZnO:Zn, ZnS:Mn, ZnS:Ag, ZnS/CdS:Ag, ZnS:Cu,Al, ZnSe:Mn, ZnSe:Ag and ZnSe:Cu. Since the inventive film is preferably intended to be essentially transparent, the components of group D are used in not more than such amounts that the film transmits at least 80 % of the incident radiation with a wavelength of from 350 to 750 nm. Component D is used to impart a tint to the film, if desired. In order to ensure maximum transparency, the compounds of component D used are preferably those having a particle size of not more than 20 nm. Examples of light, heat and/or oxidation stabilizers as component E include: alkylated monophenols, such as 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 2-tert-butyl-4,6- dimethylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-n-butylphenol, 2,6-di- tert-butyl-4-isobutylphenol, 2,6-dicyclopentyl-4-methylphenol, 2-( a-methylcyclohexyl)-4,6- dimethylphenol, 2,6-dioctadecyl-4-methylphenol, 2,4,6-tricyclohexylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl- 4-methoxymethylphenol, nonylphenols which have a linear or branched side chain, for example 2,6-dinonyl-4-methylphenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-(1'-methylundec-1'-yl)phenol, 2,4- dimethyl-6-(1'-methylheptadec-1'-yl)phenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-(1'-methyltridec-1'-yl)phenol and mixtures of these compounds, alkylthiomethylphenols, such as 2,4-dioctylthiomethyl-6-tert-butylphenol, 2,4- dioctylthiomethyl-6-methylphenol, 2,4-dioctylthiomethyl-6-ethylphenol and 2,6- didodecylthiomethyl-4-nonylphenol, hydroquinones and alkylated hydroquinones, such as 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol, 2,5- di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-amylhydroquinone, 2,6-diphenyl-4-octadecyloxyphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyanisole, 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl stearate and bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)adipate, tocopherols, such as a-tocopherol, b-tocopherol, g-tocopherol, d-tocopherol and mixtures of these compounds, and tocopherol derivatives, such as tocopheryl acetate, succinate, nicotinate and polyoxyethylenesuccinate ("tocofersolate"), hydroxylated diphenyl thioethers, such as 2,2'-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'- thiobis(4-octylphenol), 4,4'-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-3-methylphenol), 4,4'-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-2- methylphenol), 4,4'-thiobis(3,6-di-sec-amylphenol) and 4,4'-bis(2,6-dimethyl-4- hydroxyphenyl) disulfide, alkylidenebisphenols, such as 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'- methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis[4-methyl-6-( a- methylcyclohexyl)phenol], 2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-cyclohexylphenol), 2,2'- methylenebis(6-nonyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 2,2- ethylidenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 2,2'-ethylidenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-isobutylphenol), 2,2'- methylenebis[6-( a-methylbenzyl)-4-nonylphenol], 2,2'-methylenebis[6-( a, a-dimethylbenzyl)- 4-nonylphenol], 4,4'-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 4,4'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-2- methylphenol), 1,1-bis(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)butane, 2,6-bis(3-tert-butyl-5- methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-methylphenol, 1,1,3-tris(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2- methylphenyl)butane, 1,1-bis(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)-3-n- dodecylmercaptobutane, ethylene glycol bis[3,3-bis(3'-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)butyrate], bis(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)dicyclopentadiene, bis[2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'- hydroxy-5'-methylbenzyl)-6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl] terephthalate, 1,1-bis(3,5-dimethyl-2- hydroxyphenyl)butane, 2,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(5-tert- butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)-4-n-dodecyl-mercaptobutane and 1,1,5,5-tetrakis(5-tert- butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)pentane, O-, N-and S-benzyl compounds, such as 3,5,3',5'-tetra-tert-butyl-4,4'-dihydroxydibenzyl ether, octadecyl 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzylmercaptoacetate, tridecyl 4-hydroxy-3,5-di- tert-butylbenzylmercaptoacetate, tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)amine, bis(4-tert- butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl) dithioterephthalate, bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzyl) sulfide and isooctyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylmercaptoacetate, aromatic hydroxybenzyl compounds, such as 1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)- 2,4,6-trimethylbenzene, 1,4-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2,3,5,6- tetramethylbenzene and 2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)phenol, triazine compounds, such as 2,4-bis(octylmercapto)-6-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanilino)- 1,3,5-triazine, 2-octylmercapto-4,6-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanilino)-1,3,5-triazine, 2- octylmercapto-4,6-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4,6-tris(3,5-di- tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-1,2,3-triazine, 1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate, 1,3,5-tris(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl) isocyanurate, 2,4,6- tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 1,3,5-tris-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine, 1,3,5-tris(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate and 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, benzylphosphonates, such as dimethyl 2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, diethyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, dioctadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzylphosphonate and dioctadecyl 5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-3- methylbenzylphosphonate, acylaminophenols, such as 4-hydroxylauroylanilide, 4-hydroxystearoylanilide and octyl N- (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)carbamate, propionic and acetic esters, for example of monohydric or polyhydric alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, n-octanol, isooctanol, octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, N,N'- bis(hydroxyethyl)oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane and 4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, propionamides based on amine derivatives, such as N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hexamethylenediamine, N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenylpropionyl)trimethylenediamine and N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hydrazine, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and ascorbic acid derivatives, such as ascorbyl palmitate, laurate and stearate, and ascorbyl sulfate and phosphate, antioxidants based on amine compounds, such as N,N'-diisopropyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-bis(1,4-dimethylpentyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-bis(1-ethyl-3-methylpentyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-bis(1-methylheptyl)-p- phenylenediamine, N,N'-dicyclohexyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-diphenyl-p- phenylenediamine, N,N'-bis(2-naphthyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N-isopropyl-N'-phenyl-p- phenylenediamine, N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-(1- methylheptyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-cyclohexyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, 4-(p-toluenesulfamoyl)diphenylamine, N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, diphenylamine, N-allyldiphenylamine, 4-isopropoxydiphenylamine, N-phenyl-1- naphthylamine, N-(4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-naphthylamine, N-phenyl-2-naphthylamine, octyl- substituted diphenylamine, such as p,p'-di-tert-octyldiphenylamine, 4-n-butylaminophenol, 4- butyrylaminophenol, 4-nonanoylaminophenol, 4-dodecanoylaminophenol, 4- octadecanoylaminophenol, bis[4-methoxyphenyl)amine, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4- dimethylaminomethylphenol, 2,4-diaminodiphenylmethane, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 1,2-bis[(2-methylphenyl)amino]ethane, 1,2-bis(phenylamino)propane, (o-tolyl)biguanide, bis[4-(1',3'-dimethylbutyl)phenyl]amine, tert-octyl-substituted N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated tert- butyl/tert-octyldiphenylamine, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated nonyldiphenylamine, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated dodecyldiphenylamine, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated isopropyl/isohexyldiphenylamine, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated tert- butyldiphenylamine, 2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-4H-1,4-benzothiazine, phenothiazine, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated tert-butyl/tert-octylphenothiazine, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated tert-octylphenothiazine, N-allylphenothiazine, N,N,N',N'-tetraphenyl-1,4- diaminobut-2-ene, N,N-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)hexamethylenediamine, bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-one and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-ol, phosphites and phosphonites, such as triphenylphosphite, diphenyl alkyl phosphite, phenyl dialkyl phosphite, tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite, trilauryl phosphite, trioctadecyl phosphite, distearyl pentaerythritol diphosphite, tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, diisodecyl pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,6- di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphosphite, diisodecyloxy pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4,6- tris(tert-butylphenyl)) pentaerythritol diphosphite, tristearyl sorbitol triphosphite, tetrakis(2,4- di-tert-butylphenyl) 4,4'-biphenylenediphosphonite, 6-isooctyloxy-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert-butyl- 12H-dibenzo[d,g]-1,3,2-dioxaphosphocine, 6-fluoro-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert-butyl-12-methyl- dibenzo[d,g]-1,3,2-dioxaphosphocine, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl) methyl phosphite and bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl) ethyl phosphite, 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazoles, such as 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2- (3',5'-di-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(5'-tert-butyl-2'- hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3',5'-di-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'- methylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(3'-sec-butyl-5'-tert-butyl-2'- hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2'-hydroxy-4'-octyloxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3',5'-di-tert- amyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3',5'-bis-( a, a-dimethylbenzyl)-2'- hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, a mixture of 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2- octyloxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-5'-[2-(2- ethylhexyloxy)carbonylethyl]-2'-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'- hydroxy-5'-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'- hydroxy-5'-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2- octyloxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-5'-[2-(2- ethylhexyloxy)carbonylethyl]-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-dodecyl-2'-hydroxy-5'- methylphenyl)benzotriazole and 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2- isooctyloxycarbonylethyl)phenylbenzotriazole, 2,2'-methylenebis[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)- 6-benzotriazol-2-ylphenol]; the product of complete esterification of 2-[3'-tert-butyl-5'-(2- methoxycarbonylethyl)-2'-hydroxyphenyl]-2H-benzotriazole with polyethylene glycol 300; [R- CH₂CH₂-COO(CH₂)₃]₂, where R = 3'-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxy-5'-2H-benzotriazol-2-ylphenyl], sulfur-containing peroxide scavengers and sulfur-containing antioxidants, such as esters of 3,3'-thiodipropionic acid, for example the lauryl, stearyl, myristyl and tridecyl esters, mercaptobenzimidazole and the zinc salt of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole, dibutylzinc dithiocarbamate, dioctadecyl disulfide and pentaerythritol tetrakis( b- dodecylmercapto)propionate, 2-hydroxybenzophenones, such as the 4-hydroxy, 4-methoxy, 4-octyloxy, 4-decycloxy, 4- dodecyloxy, 4-benzyloxy, 4,2',4'-trihydroxy and 2'-hydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy derivatives, esters of unsubstituted and substituted benzoic acids, such as 4-tert-butylphenyl salicylate, phenyl salicylate, octylphenyl salicylate, dibenzoylresorcinol, bis(4-tert- butylbenzoyl)resorcinol, benzoylresorcinol, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzoate, hexadecyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, octadecyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl- 4-hydroxybenzoate and 2-methyl-4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzoate, acrylates, such as ethyl a-cyano- b, b-diphenylacrylate, isooctyl a-cyano- b, b-diphenylacrylate, methyl a-methoxycarbonylcinnamate, methyl a-cyano- b-methyl-p-methoxycinnamate, butyl- a-cyano- b-methyl-p-methoxycinnamate and methyl- a-methoxycarbonyl-p- methoxycinnamate, sterically hindered amines, such as bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate, bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) succinate, bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate, bis(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate, bis(1,2,2,6,6- pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)-n-butyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylmalonate, the condensation product of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine and succinic acid, the condensation product of N,N'-bis(2,2,6,5-tetramethylpiperidin-4- yl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-tert-octylamino-2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine, tris(2,2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) nitrilotriacetate, tetrakis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) 1,2,3,4- butanetetracarboxylate, 1,1'-(1,2-ethylene)bis(3,3,5,5-tetramethylpiperazinone), 4-benzoyl- 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 4-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, bis(1,2,2,6,6- pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl) 2-n-butyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)malonate, 3-n- octyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-dione, bis(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate, bis(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,5-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) succinate, the condensation product of N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4- yl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-morpholino-2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine, the condensation product of 2-chloro-4,6-bis(4-n-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)-1,3,5-triazine and 1,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane, the condensation product of 2-chloro-4,6-di(4-n- butylamino-1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)-1,3,5-triazine and 1,2-bis(3- aminopropylamino)ethane, 8-acetyl-3-dodecyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1,3,8- triazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-dione, 3-dodecyl-1-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)pyrrolidine- 2,5-dione, 3-dodecyl-1-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione, a mixture of 4-hexadecyloxy- and 4-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, the condensation product of N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-cyclohexylamino- 2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine, the condensation product of 1,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane and 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine, 4-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, N-(2,2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)-n-dodecylsuccinimide, N-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)-n- dodecylsuccinimide, 2-undecyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1-oxa-3,8-diaza-4-oxo-spiro[4.5]decane, the condensation product of 7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-2-cycloundecyl-1-oxa-3,8-diaza-4-oxospiro- [4.5]decane and epichlorohydrin, the condensation products of 4-amino-2,2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidine with tetramethylolacetylenediureas and poly(methoxypropyl-3-oxy)- [4(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl)piperidinyl]siloxane, oxamides, such as 4,4'-dioctyloxyoxanilide, 2,2'-diethoxyoxanilide, 2,2'-dioctyloxy-5,5'-di-tert- butoxanilide, 2,2'-didodecyloxy-5,5'-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyloxanilide, N,N'- bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)oxamide, 2-ethoxy-5-tert-butyl-2'-ethoxanilide and its mixture with 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyl-5,4'-di-tert-butoxanilide, and mixtures of ortho-, para-methoxy- disubstituted oxanilides and mixtures of ortho- and para-ethoxy-disubstituted oxanilides, and 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazines, such as 2,4,6-tris-(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-1,3,5- triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2,4- dihydroxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4-bis(2-hydroxy-4- propyloxyphenyl)-6-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-4,6- bis(4-methyl-5 phenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-dodecyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4- dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-tridecyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4- dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-butyloxypropoxy)phenyl]-4,6- bis(2,4-dimethyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-octyloxypropoxy)phenyl]-4,6- bis(2,4-dimethyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-[4-(dodecyloxy/tridecyloxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2- hydroxyphenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3- dodecyloxypropoxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4- hexyloxyphenyl)-4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4,6-diphenyl- 1,3,5-triazine, 2,4,6-tris[2-hydroxy-4-(3-butoxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]-1,3,5-triazine and 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine. The components F of the IR absorber used are compounds which exhibit one or more absorption bands in the infrared spectral region, i.e. from > 750 nm, e.g. from 751 nm, to 1 mm. Preference is given to compounds which exhibit one absorption band in the near infrared (NIR) spectral region, i.e. from > 750 (e.g.751) to 2000 nm, and optionally additionally also in the visible spectral region, especially from 550 to 750 nm. When the compounds absorb both in the IR and in the visible spectral region, they preferably exhibit the greatest absorption maximum in the IR region and a smaller maximum (frequently in the form of a so-called absorption shoulder) in the visible region. In a particular embodiment, the compounds of component F additionally also exhibit fluorescence. Fluorescence is the transition of a system excited by absorption of electromagnetic radiation (usually visible light, UV radiation, X-rays or electron beams) to a state of lower energy by spontaneous emission of radiation of the same wavelength (resonance fluorescence) or longer wavelength. Preferred compounds of component F exhibit, when they fluoresce, a fluorescence in the IR spectral region, preferably in the NIR. Such compounds are, for example, selected from naphthalenes, anthracenes, phenanthrenes, tetracenes, perylenes, terrylenes, quaterrylenes, pentarylenes, hexarylenes, anthraquinones, indanthrones, acridines, carbazoles, dibenzofuranes, dinaphthofuranes, benzimidazoles, benzthiazoles, phenazines, di¬oxazines, quinacridones, metal phthalocyanines, metal naphthalocyanines, metal porphyrines, metal-dithiolenes, coumarines, dibenzofuranones, dinaphthofuranones, benzimidazolones, indigo compounds, thioindigo compounds, quinophthalones, naphthoquinophthalones and diketopyrrolopyrroles. Particularly preferred compounds of component F which absorb IR radiation and optionally fluoresce are selected from naphthalenes, anthracenes, phenanthrenes, tetracenes, perylenes, terrylenes, quaterrylenes, pentarylenes and hexarylenes, more preferably from perylenes, terrylenes and quaterrylenes and especially from terrylenes and quaterrylenes. The compound is especially a quaterrylene. Suitable compounds are described in WO 2008/012292, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference. In a particularly preferred embodiment the liquid crystal composition comprises as component A.1: one or more compounds of the general formula Ib

especially one or more compounds (1.a), (1.b), (1.c), (1.d), (1.e), or (1.f); in which the variables are defined as follows: Z¹, Z² are each independently

, A¹, A²are each independently spacers having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, Y¹, Y⁴are each independently a single chemical bond, oxygen, ‒ CO‒ , ‒ O‒ CO‒ or ‒ CO‒ O‒ , R^b is hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl or CO-O-C₁-C₆-alkyl, as component A.1: one or more compounds of the general formula Ia

one or more compounds of the general formula Ic

in which the variables are defined as follows: Z^1ʼ , Z^2ʼ are each independently

A^1ʼ , A^{2 ʻ}are each independently spacers having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, which is optionally interrupted by ‒ CO‒ O‒ ; Y^1ʼ , Y^4ʼ are each independently a single chemical bond, oxygen, ‒ CO‒ , ‒ O‒ CO‒ or ‒ CO‒ O‒ , R^bʼ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl or CO-O-C₁-C₆-alkyl, as component B.1: one or more substances selected from the group consisting of:

as component C: one or more substances selected from the group consisting of: C.1 at least one photoinitiator of formula (XI); C.3 at least one solvent; especially one, or more solvents which are selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl esters, carboxamides, open-chain ethers, open-chain and cyclic ketones, alcohols, lactones and aromatics and mixtures thereof; C.5 at least one leveling agent, especially BYK^® 331, 337, 378, Tegorad^® 2100, 2300 and Byk^® 361N; and C.10 at least one in-can stabilizer, especially one, or more compounds selected from compounds of formula

, wherein R²¹ and R²² independently of each other are C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₇-C₁₅-phenylalkyl, optionally substituted C₆-C₁₀aryl; R²³ and R²⁴ independently of each other are H, optionally substituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl, 2-,3-,4- pyridyl, 2-,3-furyl or thienyl, COOH, COOR²⁵, CONH₂, CONHR²⁵, CONR²⁵R²⁶, ̶ CN, ̶ COR²⁵, ̶ OCOR²⁵, ̶ O O(OR²⁵)₂, wherein R²⁵ and R²⁶ are independently of each other C₁-C₈alkyl, or phenyl; tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite,

The liquid crystal composition comprises - 10-50% by weight, preferably 20-40% by weight of component(s) A.1 and B.1 based on total weight of component(s) A.1, B.1 and C.1; - 50-90% by weight, preferably 60-80% of solvent(s) C.3; - 0.5-10% by weight, preferably 1-5% by weight of photoinitiator(s) C.1 based on total weight of component(s) A.1 and B.1; - 0.01-1% by weight, preferably 0.01 ‒ 0.2% by weight of levelling agent(s) C.5 based on total weight of component(s) A.1 and B.1; - 0.01-1.0 % by weight, preferably 0.04-0.7 % by weight of stabilizer(s) based on total weight of component(s) A.1 and B.1. The above described liquid crystal composition is new and forms a further subject of the present application. In addition, the present invention relates to (security) elements, which comprise a flexible substrate, optionally a primer layer and a liquid crystal film from the liquid crystal composition described in the present invention, or obtainable by the process according to the invention. As materials for the flexible substrate, explicit mention should be made here of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, flexible polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), polycarbonate, cellulose triacetate, polyether sulfone, polyester, polyamide, polyolefins, such as, for example, polypropylene, and acrylic resins. Among these, polyethylene terephthalate, biaxially oriented polypropylene, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, flexible polyvinyl chloride and polymethyl methacrylate are preferred. The flexible substrate is preferably biaxially oriented. The flexible substrate is preferably selected from a biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) film, or a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film. The process for the production of the security elements comprises: a) optionally exposing the substrate to a corona discharge or a plasma discharge treatment; b) optionally applying a primer composition on the substrate, which comprises b1) at least one polyurethane (A) comprising as synthesis components (b1a) at least one organic aliphatic, aromatic or cycloaliphatic diisocyanate or polyisocyanate having a functionality of more than 2, (b1b) at least one compound having in each case at least one isocyanate-reactive group and at least one radically polymerizable unsaturated group, (b1c) at least one photoinitiator having at least one isocyanate-reactive group, b2) at least one polyfunctional polymerizable compound (B), b3) a solvent, or a mixture of solvents, c) optionally evaporating the solvent by applying IR-radiation and/or thermal drying, d) optionally curing the primer layer by means of UV/VIS radiation, e) optionally exposing the primered substrate to a corona discharge or a plasma discharge treatment, f) applying the liquid crystal composition described in the present invention onto the substrate, or the primer coating, g) evaporating the solvent by applying IR-radiation and/or thermal drying, and h) curing the liquid crystal film by means of UV/VIS radiation. The security element may comprise one, or more further layers, which are selected from release layers, primer layers, adhesive layers, substrate layers, black layers, white layers, metallic layers, plasmonic layers, embossed layers with diffractive gratings and/or micromirrors and/or lenses, magnetic layers, fluorescent layers, interference layers, plasmonic layers, colored layers, IR-absorbing layers, IR-transparent layers and conductive layers. The layers might be fully, or partially printed on the security element. The security element, might be part of a security document. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a security document, comprising the security element of the present invention as a laminate onto the document or embedded as a (windowed) thread into the document or as a window on the document. The production of window threads is, for example, described in EP319157, WO14108329 and WO03054297. The security document can be, for example, a banknote, tax stamp, ID-card, voucher, entrance ticket, or label. The liquid crystal composition described in the present invention may be used in the method described in WO03061980 for the production of the security element described therein. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a security element comprising the steps of applying a darkly coloured resist to at least a part of a metallic layer on a first side of a flexible substrate, removing metal from areas not covered by the resist to form demetallised regions and applying the liquid crystal composition described in the present invention over the resist and the demetallised regions and the security element obtainable by the method. The security element comprises, a flexible substrate, a pattern of transparent (demetallised regions) and non-transparent regions (darkly coloured resist/metal regions) on a first side of the flexible substrate and the liquid crystal film covering the pattern on at least the first side of the film. A layer of a suitable adhesive may applied between the black resist layer and the liquid crystal layer. The security element may comprise one, or more further layers, which are selected from release layers, primer layers, adhesive layers, substrate layers, black layers, white layers, metallic layers, plasmonic layers, embossed layers with diffractive gratings and/or micromirrors and/or lenses, magnetic layers, fluorescent layers, interference layers, plasmonic layers, colored layers, IR-absorbing layers, IR-transparent layers and conductive layers. The layers might be fully, or partially printed on the security element. The method requires a metallised film comprising a substantially clear polymeric film of PET or the like, which has an opaque layer of metal on a first side thereof. A suitable pre- metallised film is metallised MELINEX S film from DuPont of preferably 19 µm thickness. The metal layer is printed with a resist 13 which contains a black or dark dye or pigment. Suitable resists include the dye BASF Neozapon X51 or the pigment, (well dispersed) "Carbon Black 7" mixed into a material with both good adhesion to metal and caustic resistance. The dye loading can be up to 50% (by weight) of the final coat of resist depending on coat thickness and desired blackness. An example of a class of suitable resist materials is vinyl chlorides/vinyl acetate copolymers such as Union Carbide Ucar resins, Sun VHL 31534, or Wacker Vinnol E 15/45m. The printed metallised film is then partially demetallised, according to a known demetallisation process using a caustic wash which removes the metal in the regions not printed with the resist. The remaining regions coated with resist provide a black layer which is visible when the demetallised film is viewed from its first side (along arrow Y) interspersed with clear regions. The shiny metal of the remaining parts of the metallic layer are only visible from an opposite side of the demetallised film (along arrow X) . The resist may be printed in the form of the indicia, such as words, numerals, patterns and the like; in which case the resulting indicia will be positively metallised, with the metal still covered by the dark or black resist. Alternatively the resist may be printed so as to form indicia negatively, in which case the resulting indicia will be provided by the demetallised regions. The indicia, however formed, are clearly visible from both sides, especially in transmitted light, due to the contrast between the regions of the metal which have been removed and the remaining opaque regions. A layer of liquid crystal composition described in the present invention is then coated, transferred or laminated to the demetallised film over the remaining parts of the black resist layer and the demetallised regions. This has the effect of producing a highly visible colour shift effect when the finished substrate is viewed in reflection from the first side (along arrow Y) ; and a metallic shiny partial coating when viewed from the other side (along arrow X). Additionally clear positive or negative indicia can be seen in transmission from either side. A layer of a suitable adhesive may be required, for this process, applied between the black resist layer and the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal composition described in the present invention may be used for the production of the security element described in WO2016177391. The security element has a flexible substrate, a pattern of transparent and non-transparent regions on a first side of the flexible substrate, a pattern of transparent and non-transparent regions on a second side of the flexible substrate, said pattern matching with the pattern on the first side of the film, and the liquid crystal film covering the pattern on at least the first side of the film. The method for manufacturing the security element comprises the steps of: forming a pattern on the first side of the flexible substrate, applying a coating responsive to light or radiation on the second side of the flexible substrate, exposing the coating through the transparent flexible substrate to light or radiation using the pattern on the first side as a mask, removing the coating dissolved by the radiation to obtain the pattern on the second side of the flexible substrate, and applying the liquid crystal composition described in the present invention to cover the pattern on at least one side of the flexible substrate. In addition, the liquid crystal composition described in the present invention may be used for the production of the security element described in US20170334235, which comprises: a flexible substrate, a partial layer with recesses, a layer structure that generates a color-shift effect formed by a coating consisting of the liquid crystal composition described in the present invention and a partial layer, wherein the partial layer is formed from an opaque coating consisting of (i) a light-absorbing metallic layer consisting of non-stoichiometric aluminum oxide or stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric copper oxide, and (ii) a reflecting metallic layer, and wherein the opaque coating has light- absorbing properties on a side facing the coating consisting of the liquid crystal material of the present invention having the optically variable effect and has metallic coloring on a side facing away from the coating consisting of the material having the optically variable effect, a coating on one side of the security element consisting of a material having an optically variable effect and recesses that can be recognized in transmitted light, and at least one partial coating on the one side consisting of a layer which has colors that are transparent in visible light and fluorescent in UV light. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment the present invention is directed to a security paper having at least one through opening, the opening is provided with a security element protruding beyond the opening at least on one surface of the security paper after production thereof. Reference is made to US20050224203. Said security element comprises a transparent plastic film, a liquid crystal layer obtainable by the liquid crystal composition described in the present invention and one or more visually and/or machine testable security features. Said security feature can involve diffraction structures, such as reflection or transmission holograms, reflectively observable grating structures or volume holograms, thin-film elements or filter elements, such as polarizing filters or interference filters. However, the security element disposed in the area of the opening can also carry a simple print or a moiré pattern as a security feature. The inks used for said print can have a substance with optically variable, luminescent, electrically conductive or magnetic properties. Examples of optically variable substances are besides liquid crystal materials interference layer pigments. The security feature can further consist of a metallization, whereby several different-colored metals can also be used. Rasterization of the metal layers or reflecting layers of diffraction structures is also possible. Any desired semitransparent layers can of course also be used. The security feature can furthermore consist of a perforation or a lens structure. A sufficiently large area of the security element is preferably kept completely transparent to permit easy recognition of forgeries produced by a color copier. A copy does not have said transparent area. Various aspects and features of the present invention will be further discussed in terms of the examples. The following examples are intended to illustrate various aspects and features of the present invention. Examples 21 portions of each of the mixtures A ‒ C were prepared by stirring all ingredients at room temperature (23°C) for 1 hour. 2 portions of mixture D were prepared in the same way.

LC 1: compound I.a LC 2: compound I.d

Dopant: compound IV.a To each portion of the mixtures A-D 5% of a selected photoinitiator was added, calculated on the total amount of “compounds” mentioned in the table. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for another 60 minutes. Each of the final mixture was applied on PET film (Lumirror^® 40.01 from Toray) with a bar coater N°2. The wet film was dried at temperatures between 90-130°C for 1-4 minutes. After drying, the liquid crystal films were UV-cured with the help of a mercury lamp by passing the films 2 times at 20m/min at 120 W/cm through a UV-belt. The resulting liquid crystal films showed all a green color in face angle shifting to a blue color under grazing angle. The films were exposed in a climate chamber at 90°C and 80% humidity for 14 days. From all liquid crystal films transmission spectra in face angle between 400 ‒ 750nm were collected before and 24 hours after the exposure. The shift of the transmission minimum in wavelength after the exposure was recorded. The test results are shown in the table. A negative shift means, that the transmission minimum shifted to shorter wavelength, a positive shift means, that the transmission minimum shifted to a longer wavelength.

No transmission minimum could be determined after exposure at 90°C / 80% humidity.

Claims

Claims 1. A process for the production of fingerprint texture free liquid crystal films on (flexible) substrates comprising a) optionally exposing the substrate to a corona discharge or a plasma discharge treatment; b) optionally applying a primer composition on the substrate, which comprises b1) at least one polyurethane (A) comprising as synthesis components (b1a) at least one organic aliphatic, aromatic or cycloaliphatic diisocyanate or polyisocyanate having a functionality of more than 2, (b1b) at least one compound having in each case at least one isocyanate-reactive group and at least one radically polymerizable unsaturated group, (b1c) at least one photoinitiator having at least one isocyanate-reactive group, b2) at least one polyfunctional polymerizable compound (B), b3) a solvent, or a mixture of solvents, c) optionally evaporating the solvent by applying IR-radiation and/or thermal drying, d) optionally curing the primer layer by means of UV/VIS radiation, e) optionally exposing the primered substrate to a corona discharge or a plasma discharge treatment, f) applying a liquid crystal composition onto the substrate, or the primer coating, g) evaporating the solvent by applying IR-radiation and/or thermal drying, and h) curing the liquid crystal film by means of UV/VIS radiation, wherein the liquid crystal composition comprises A.1 at least one achiral nematic polymerizable monomer and B.1 at least one chiral polymerizable monomer; C.1 at least one photoinitiator, which is an alpha-hydroxy ketone compound of formula (XI), wherein

R₂₉ is hydrogen; R₃₀ is C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₁-C₁₂hydroxyalkyl, C₁-C₁₈alkoxy, OCH₂CH₂-OR₃₄, ,

c is 2-10; G₁ and G₂ independently of one another are hydrogen or methyl; R₃₁ is hydroxy; R₃₂ and R₃₃ independently of each other are C₁-C₆alkyl; R₃₄ is hydrogen; R₃₅ is hydrogen, or OR₃₆; R₃₆ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂alkyl which optionally is interrupted by one or more non- consecutive O-atoms and which uninterrupted or interrupted C₁-C₁₂alkyl optionally is

R₃₉ is C₁-C₁₂alkylene which optionally is interrupted by one or more non-consecutive O; C.3 at least one solvent; C.5 optionally at least one leveling agent, and C.10 optionally at least one in-can stabilizer.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the photoinitiator (C.1) is an alpha-hydroxy ketone compound of formula

R₃₁ is hydroxy; R₃₂ and R₃₃ independently of each other are C₁-C₆alkyl, especially methyl; R₃₄ is hydrogen; R₃₅ is hydrogen.

3. The process according to claim 2, wherein the photoinitiator (C.1) is selected from

4. The process according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the liquid crystal composition comprises as component A.1 one or more compounds selected from compounds of the general formula Ib

in which the variables are defined as follows: Z¹, Z² are each independently

A¹, A² are each independently spacers having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, Y¹, Y⁴ are each independently a single chemical bond, oxygen, ‒ CO‒ , ‒ O‒ CO‒ or ‒ CO‒ O‒ , R^b is hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl or CO-O-C₁-C₆-alkyl, R^c is hydrogen, or C₁-C₆-alkyl; and compounds of the general formula Ia

in which the variables are defined as follows: Z^1ʼ , Z^2ʼ are each independently

A^1ʼ , A^{2 ʻ} are each independently spacers having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, Y^1ʼ , Y^4ʼ are each independently a single chemical bond, oxygen, ‒ CO‒ , ‒ O‒ CO‒ or ‒ CO‒ O‒ , R^bʼ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl or CO-O-C₁-C₆-alkyl.

5. The process according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the liquid crystal composition comprises as component B.1 one or more substances selected from the group consisting of:

6. The process according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the liquid crystal composition comprises as component C.3 one, or more solvents which are selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl esters, carboxamides, open-chain ethers, open- chain and cyclic ketones, alcohols, lactones and aromatics and mixtures thereof.

7. The process according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the liquid crystal composition comprises as component C.10 one, or more compounds selected from compounds of formula

, wherein R²¹ and R²² independently of each other are C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₇-C₁₅- phenylalkyl, optionally substituted C₆-C₁₀aryl; R²³ and R²⁴ independently of each other are H, optionally substituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl, 2-,3- ,4-pyridyl, 2-,3-furyl or thienyl, COOH, COOR²⁵, CONH₂, CONHR²⁵, CONR²⁵R²⁶, ̶ CN, ̶ COR²⁵, ̶ OCOR25, ̶ O O(OR²⁵)₂, wherein R²⁵ and R²⁶ are independently of each other C₁-C₈alkyl, or phenyl; tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite,

8. The process according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the liquid crystal composition comprises - 10-50% by weight, preferably 20-40% by weight of component(s) A.1 and B.1 based on total weight of component(s) A.1, B.1 and C.3; - 50-90% by weight, preferably 60-80% of solvent(s) C.3 based on total weight of component(s) A.1, B.1 and C.3; - 0.5-10% by weight, preferably 1-5% by weight of photoinitiator(s) C.1 based on total weight of component(s) A.1 and B.1; - 0.01-1% by weight, preferably 0.01 ‒ 0.2% by weight of levelling agent(s) C.5 based on total weight of component(s) A.1 and B.1; - 0.01-1.0 % by weight, preferably 0.04-0.7 % by weight of in-can stabilizer(s) C.10 based on total weight of component(s) A.1 and B.1.

9. A liquid crystal composition, comprising A.1 at least one achiral nematic polymerizable monomer and B.1 at least one chiral polymerizable monomer; C.1 at least one photoinitiator, C.3 at least one solvent; C.5 optionally at least one leveling agent, and C.10 optionally at least one in-can stabilizer, wherein the photoinitiator (C.1) is an alpha-hydroxy ketone compound of formula

(XIa), wherein

R₃₁ is hydroxy; R₃₂ and R₃₃ independently of each other are C₁-C₆alkyl, especially methyl; R₃₄ is hydrogen;

in which the variables are defined as follows: Z¹, Z² are each independently

A¹, A² are each independently spacers having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, Y¹, Y⁴ are each independently a single chemical bond, oxygen, ‒ CO‒ , ‒ O‒ CO‒ or ‒ CO‒ O‒ , R^b is hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl or CO-O-C₁-C₆-alkyl, R^c is hydrogen, or C₁-C₆-alkyl; and compounds of the general formula Ia

in which the variables are defined as follows: Z^1ʼ , Z^2ʼ are each independently

A^1ʼ , A^{2 ʻ} are each independently spacers having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, Y^1ʼ , Y^4ʼ are each independently a single chemical bond, oxygen, ‒ CO‒ , ‒ O‒ CO‒ or ‒ CO‒ O‒ , R^bʼ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl or CO-O-C₁-C₆-alkyl; the component B.1 is selected from the group consisting of:

the component C.3 is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₄-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl esters, carboxamides, open-chain ethers, open-chain and cyclic ketones, alcohols, lactones and aromatics and mixtures thereof; and the component C.10 is selected from compounds of formula

, wherein R²¹ and R²² independently of each other are C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, C₇- C₁₅-phenylalkyl, optionally substituted C₆-C₁₀aryl; R²³ and R²⁴ independently of each other are H, optionally substituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl, 2-,3- ,4-pyridyl, 2-,3-furyl or thienyl, COOH, COOR²⁵, CONH₂, CONHR²⁵, CONR²⁵R²⁶, ̶ CN, ̶ COR²⁵, ̶ OCOR²⁵, ̶ O O(OR²⁵)₂, wherein R²⁵ and R²⁶ are independently of each other C₁-C₈alkyl, or phenyl; tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite,

10. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 9, which comprises - 10-50% by weight, preferably 20-40% by weight of component(s) A.1 and B.1 based on total weight of component(s) A.1, B.1 and C.3; - 50-90% by weight, preferably 60-80% of solvent(s) C.3 based on total weight of component(s) A.1, B.1 and C.3; - 0.5-10% by weight, preferably 1-5% by weight of photoinitiator(s) C.1 based on total weight of component(s) A.1 and B.1; - 0.01-1% by weight, preferably 0.01 ‒ 0.2% by weight of levelling agent(s) C.5 based on total weight of component(s) A.1 and B.1; - 0.01-1.0 % by weight, preferably 0.04-0.7 % by weight of in-can stabilizer(s) C.

10 based on total weight of component(s) A.1 and B.1.

11. A liquid crystal film on a flexible substrate, obtained by the process according to any of claims 1 to 8, or obtainable from the liquid crystal composition according to claims 9, or 10.

12. A security element, comprising a flexible substrate, optionally a primer layer and a liquid crystal film on the flexible substrate, or the primer layer, obtained by the process according to any of claims 1 to 8, or from the liquid crystal composition according to claim 10, or 11.

13. The security element according to claim 12, comprising a flexible substrate, a pattern of transparent and non-transparent regions on a first side of the flexible substrate, optionally a pattern of transparent and non-transparent regions on a second side of the flexible substrate, said pattern matching with the pattern on the first side of the film, and the liquid crystal film covering the pattern on at least the first side of the film.

14. The security element according to claim 12, or 13, comprising one, or more further layers, which are selected from release layers, primer layers, adhesive layers, substrate layers, black layers, white layers, metallic layers, plasmonic layers, embossed layers with diffractive gratings, micromirrors, lenses, magnetic layers, fluorescent layers, interference layers, colored layers, IR-absorbing layers, IR-transparent layers and conductive layers, wherein the layers might be fully, or partially printed on the security element.

15. A security document, comprising the security element according to any of claims 12 to 14 as a laminate onto the document or embedded as a (windowed) thread into the document or as a window embedded on the document, especially a banknote, tax stamp, ID-card, voucher, entrance ticket, or label.