The present invention is an anthraquinone compound represented by formula (1) (in the formula. R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl group, or a C1-C12 linear or branched alkoxy group, and R.sub.2 represents a substituent represented by: formula (a) (in formula (a), R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C8 linear or branched alkyl group, a C1-C8 linear or branched alkoxy group, or a substituent represented by CH.sub.2OR.sub.4, where R.sub.4 represents a C1-C8 linear or branched alkyl group); or formula (b) (in formula (b). R.sub.5 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C8 linear or branched alkyl group, or a substituent represented by CH.sub.2OR.sub.6, where R.sub.6 represents a C1-C8 linear or branched alkyl group)). ##STR00001##

The present invention is an anthraquinone compound represented by formula (1) (in the formula. R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl group, or a C1-C12 linear or branched alkoxy group, and R.sub.2 represents a substituent represented by: formula (a) (in formula (a), R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C8 linear or branched alkyl group, a C1-C8 linear or branched alkoxy group, or a substituent represented by CH.sub.2OR.sub.4, where R.sub.4 represents a C1-C8 linear or branched alkyl group); or formula (b) (in formula (b). R.sub.5 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C8 linear or branched alkyl group, or a substituent represented by CH.sub.2OR.sub.6, where R.sub.6 represents a C1-C8 linear or branched alkyl group)). ##STR00001##

The invention relates to bimesogenic compounds of formula I

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.11, R.sup.12, MG.sup.11, MG.sup.12, X.sup.11, X.sup.12 and Sp.sup.1 have the meaning given in claim 1, to the use of bimesogenic compounds of formula I in liquid crystal media and particular to flexoelectric liquid crystal devices comprising a liquid crystal medium according to the present invention.

The invention relates to bimesogenic compounds of formula I

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.11, R.sup.12, MG.sup.11, MG.sup.12, X.sup.11, X.sup.12 and Sp.sup.1 have the meaning given in claim 1, to the use of bimesogenic compounds of formula I in liquid crystal media and particular to flexoelectric liquid crystal devices comprising a liquid crystal medium according to the present invention.

The present invention is an anthraquinone compound represented by formula (1) (in the formula, R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a straight chain or branched chain alkyl group having a carbon count of 1-12, or a straight chain or branched chain alkoxy group having a carbon count of 1-12. R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, a straight chain or branched chain alkyl group having a carbon count of 1-8, or a straight chain or branched chain alkoxy group having a carbon count of 1-8). R.sub.2 may be a straight chain or branched chain alkyl group having a carbon count of 1-8. R.sub.1 may be a straight chain or branched chain alkoxy group having a carbon count of 1-8, or may be a straight chain or branched chain alkyl group having a carbon count of 1-4. The present invention also relates to a dimming liquid crystal composition containing this anthraquinone compound and a liquid crystal material. The present invention also relates to a dimming element obtained by sandwiching the dimming liquid crystal composition or a photocured product thereof between a pair of substrates disposed facing each other, at least one among which is a transparent substrate having a transparent electrode.

##STR00001##

The present invention is an anthraquinone compound represented by formula (1) (in the formula, R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a straight chain or branched chain alkyl group having a carbon count of 1-12, or a straight chain or branched chain alkoxy group having a carbon count of 1-12. R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, a straight chain or branched chain alkyl group having a carbon count of 1-8, or a straight chain or branched chain alkoxy group having a carbon count of 1-8). R.sub.2 may be a straight chain or branched chain alkyl group having a carbon count of 1-8. R.sub.1 may be a straight chain or branched chain alkoxy group having a carbon count of 1-8, or may be a straight chain or branched chain alkyl group having a carbon count of 1-4. The present invention also relates to a dimming liquid crystal composition containing this anthraquinone compound and a liquid crystal material. The present invention also relates to a dimming element obtained by sandwiching the dimming liquid crystal composition or a photocured product thereof between a pair of substrates disposed facing each other, at least one among which is a transparent substrate having a transparent electrode.

##STR00001##