Synthesis and properties of new optically active γ-lactones as chiral dopants for ferroelectric liquid crystals

Abstract
Optically active α-aryl-γ-alkyl-γ-lactones were synthesized through the reaction of chiral 1,2-epoxyalkanes with the carbanion derived from 4-methoxyphenylacetonitrile or 4-methoxyphenylacetic acid and shown to be good chiral dopants for ferroelectric liquid crystals.