Polymerizable liquid crystal materials and polymerized liquid crystal films

Abstract

The present invention relates to polymerizable LC materials which comprise one or more di- or poly-reactive mesogenic compounds and one or more compounds of formula UVI, and one or more compounds of formula UVI, wherein each group has one of the meanings given in the claims. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a process for its preparation, a polymer film having improved thermal durability and UV stability obtainable from the corresponding polymerizable LC material, a process for the preparation of such a polymer film, and the use of such a polymer film and the polymerizable LC material for optical, electro-optical, decorative or security devices.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to polymerizable LC materials comprising one or more di- or poly-reactive mesogenic compounds, one or more compounds of formula UVI,

[0002]

[0003] and one or more compounds of formula UVII,

[0004]

[0005] wherein each group has one of the meanings given in the claims. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for its preparation, a polymer film having improved thermal durability and UV stability obtainable from the corresponding polymerizable LC material, a method for the preparation of such a polymer film, and the use of such a polymer film and said polymerizable LC material for optical, electro-optical, decorative or security devices. Background Art

[0006] Polymerizable liquid crystal materials are known in the prior art for the preparation of anisotropic polymer films having a homogeneous orientation. These films are typically prepared by coating a thin layer of a polymerizable liquid crystal mixture onto a substrate, aligning the mixture into a homogeneous orientation and polymerizing the mixture. The orientation of the film can be planar, i.e., the liquid crystal molecules are substantially parallel to the layer orientation, vertical (rectangular or perpendicular to the layer), or tilted.

[0007] Such optical films are described, for example, in EP 0 940 707 B1, EP 0 888 565 B1 and GB 2 329 393 B1.

[0008] Polymerizable liquid crystal (LC) materials, although stable at room temperature, degrade at elevated temperatures. For example, when heated for a period of time, the optical properties such as dispersion or retardation decrease, and thus the performance of the optical film decreases over time. This can be attributed in particular to a low degree of polymerization and a correspondingly high residual free radical content in the polymer, polymer shrinkage, and / or thermal oxidative degradation.

[0009] Thermal oxidative degradation is the degradation of a polymer network catalyzed by oxidation at high temperatures. As is well known, antioxidant additives or short antioxidants can be used to reduce the thermal oxidative degradation of polymers when subjected to elevated temperatures. This is particularly important when the optical film is used in applications within a liquid crystal cell. In particular, when annealing the polyimide layer in the LC cell, the optical film must be tolerant. In this regard, the documents WO 2009 / 86911 A1 and JP 5354238 B1 describe polymerizable liquid crystal (LC) materials comprising the commercially available antioxidant 1076.

[0010] All of the above materials have obvious disadvantages. For example, due to the LC materials used, the UV stability or thermal durability of the resulting polymer films is still not high enough, the transparency to VIS light is limited, other additives need to be used or the application bandwidth is limited.

[0011] Therefore, there is still a need for new and preferably improved polymerizable liquid crystal materials or mixtures that do not exhibit the disadvantages of the existing technology materials, or exhibit them to a lesser extent if any.

[0012] Advantageously, such polymerizable LC materials should preferably be suitable for different homeotropically aligned polymer networks (such as polymer films or polymer networks) for LC applications, and should, and especially at the same time should,

[0013] - exhibit favorable adhesion to the substrate,

[0014] - be highly transparent to VIS-light,

[0015] - exhibit a decreasing yellowing over time, and

[0016] - exhibit good high-temperature stability or durability. In addition,

[0017] - exhibit favorable high heat and / or UV stability or durability, and in addition

[0018] - the homeotropically aligned polymer films should be produced by compatible and generally known large-scale production methods.

[0019] From the following detailed description, other objects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0020] Surprisingly, the inventors of the present invention have found that by using the polymerizable LC material according to claim 1, one or more, preferably all of the above-mentioned desired objects can be preferably achieved simultaneously. Summary of the Invention

[0021] The present invention relates to a polymerizable LC material comprising at least one di-reactive or multi-reactive mesogenic compound and one or more compounds of formula UVI, preferably the concentration of the compound of formula UVI is in the range of 1 ppm to 2500 ppm, preferably up to 2000 ppm, preferably up to 1500 ppm, preferably up to 71500 ppm, particularly preferably up to 1000 ppm, preferably in the range of 1 ppm to 500 ppm, particularly preferably in the range of 1 ppm to 250 ppm,

[0022]

[0023] wherein

[0024] R 11 Each occurrence independently represents H, F, a straight-chain or branched alkyl chain having 1 to 20 C atoms, wherein one -CH2- group or, if present, a plurality of -CH2- groups may be replaced by -O- or -C(=O)-, provided that no two adjacent -CH2- groups are replaced by -O-, and one or, if present, a plurality of -CH2- groups may be replaced by -CH=CH- or -C≡C-, and wherein one H atom or a plurality of H atoms may be replaced by F, OR 13 , N(R 13 )(R 14 ) or R 15 instead,

[0025] R 11 preferably represents H or alkyl, particularly preferably alkyl, especially preferably n-alkyl and very particularly preferably n-butyl,

[0026] R 12 Each occurrence independently represents a straight-chain or branched alkyl chain having 1 to 20 C atoms, wherein one -CH2- group or a plurality of -CH2- groups may be replaced by -O- or -C(=O)-, provided that no two adjacent -CH2- groups are replaced by -O-, a hydrocarbon group containing a cycloalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl unit, and wherein one -CH2- group or a plurality of -CH2- groups may be replaced by -O- or -C(=O)-, provided that no two adjacent -CH2- groups are replaced by -O-, and wherein one H atom or a plurality of H atoms may be replaced by F, OR 13 , N(R 13 )(R 14 ) or R 15 instead, or an aromatic or heteroaromatic hydrocarbon group, wherein one H atom or a plurality of H atoms may be replaced by F, OR 13 , N(R 13 )(R 14 ) or R 15 instead,

[0027] R 12 preferably represents H, unbranched alkyl or branched alkyl, particularly preferably H or unbranched alkyl,

[0028] R 13 Each occurrence independently represents a straight-chain or branched alkyl or acyl group having 1 to 10 C atoms, preferably n-alkyl, or an aromatic hydrocarbon group or carboxylic acid group having 6 to 12 C atoms,

[0029] R 14 Each occurrence independently represents a straight-chain or branched alkyl or acyl group having 1 to 10 C atoms, preferably n-alkyl, or an aromatic hydrocarbon group or carboxylic acid group having 6 to 12 C atoms,

[0030] R 15 Each occurrence independently represents a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, wherein one -CH2- group or more than one -CH2- group may be replaced by -O- or -C(=O)-, provided that no two adjacent -CH2- groups are replaced by -O-.

[0031] S 11 and S 12 Each occurrence independently represents an alkylene group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, which is branched or preferably straight-chain, preferably -(CH2-) having 1 - 20 carbon atoms, preferably having 1 - 10 carbon atoms, particularly preferably having 1 to 8 carbon atoms n , wherein one -CH2- group or, if present, more than one -CH2- group may be replaced by -O- or -C(=O)-, provided that no two adjacent -CH2- groups are replaced by -O-, and one or, if present, more than one -CH2- group may be replaced by -CH=CH- or -C≡C- and one H atom or more than one H atom may be replaced by F, OR 13 , N(R 13 )(R 14 ) or R 15 or represents a single bond.

[0032] X 11 represents C,

[0033] Y 11 to Y 14 Each independently represents methyl or ethyl, particularly preferably both represent methyl or ethyl and very particularly preferably methyl.

[0034] Z 11 to Z 14 Each occurrence independently represents -O-, -(C=O)-, -O-(C=O)-, -(C=O)-O-, -O-(C=O)-O-, -(N-R 13 )-, -N-R 13 -(C=O)- or a single bond, if S 11 is a single bond, provided that Z 11 and Z 12 do not both represent -O- at the same time, and however, if S 12 is a single bond, Z 13 and Z 14 do not both represent -O- at the same time, and however, if -X 11 [-R 11 o - is a single bond, Z 12 and Z 13 ​They are not both -O- at the same time.

[0035] Z 11 Preferably represents -O-.

[0036] Z 13 Preferably represents a single bond.

[0037] n*p represents an integer from 3 to 10, preferably 8.

[0038] p represents 1 or 2.

[0039] o represents (3 - p).

[0040] In the case of p = 1,

[0041] n represents 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8, particularly preferably 4, 6, or 8, very particularly preferably 4 or 6, and,

[0042] m represents (10 - n), and,

[0043] In the case of p = 2,

[0044] n represents an integer from 2 to 4, preferably 2 or 3, particularly preferably 3, and

[0045] m represents (4 - n).

[0046] Represents an organic group having (m + n) binding sites, preferably an alkanediyl, alkanetriyl or alkanetetrayl unit having up to 4 binding sites and preferably having 1 to 30 C atoms, wherein in addition to the m groups R present in the molecule 12 except, but independently thereof, one other H atom can be replaced by R 12 or multiple other H atoms can be replaced by R 12 preferably an alkanetetrayl unit having a monovalent or divalent at each terminal C atom, wherein one -CH2- group or multiple -CH2- groups can be replaced by -O- or -(C=O)- in such a way that two -O- atoms are not directly connected to each other, or is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic or heteroaromatic hydrocarbon group having up to 10 valences, wherein in addition to the m groups R present in the molecule 12 except, but independently thereof, one other H atom can be replaced by R 12 or multiple other H atoms can be replaced by R 12 replaced,

[0047] And in the case of p = 1, -X 11 [-R 11 o - Alternatively, it can also represent a single bond, and

[0048] One or more compounds of formula UVI​

[0049]

[0050] wherein each group has the following meanings:

[0051] R 1 to R 5 each independently represents a member selected from the group consisting of H, -alkyl, -OH, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, and -SO3H, and

[0052] R 6 and R 7 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or a halogen atom.

[0053] In addition, the present invention also correspondingly relates to a method for preparing a polymerizable LC material.

[0054] The present invention also relates to a polymer network or polymer film obtainable, preferably obtainable, from a polymerizable LC material as described in the context, and a method for preparing a polymer film as described in the context.

[0055] The present invention also relates to a method for improving the UV stability of a polymer film obtainable, preferably obtainable, from a polymerizable LC material as described in the context by adding a compound of formula UVI to the LC material before polymerization.

[0056] The present invention also relates to the use of a polymer network or polymer film or polymerizable LC material as described in the context in optical, electro-optical, information storage, decorative, and security applications, such as liquid crystal displays, projection systems, polarizers, compensators, alignment layers, circular polarizers, color filters, decorative images, liquid crystal pigments, reflective films having spatially varying reflected colors, multicolor images, non-forgeable documents such as identity cards or credit cards or banknotes.

[0057] The present invention also relates to an optical component or device, a polarizer, a patterned retarder, a compensator, an alignment layer, a circular polarizer, a color filter, a decorative image, a liquid crystal lens, a liquid crystal pigment, a reflective film having spatially varying reflected colors, a multicolor image for decoration or information storage, comprising at least one polymer network or polymer film or polymerizable LC material as described in the context.

[0058] The present invention also relates to a liquid crystal display comprising at least one polymer network or polymer film or polymerizable LC material or optical component as described in the context.

[0059] The present invention also relates to a colored or multicolored image for authentication, verification or security marking of objects or documents that are valuable and non-forgeable for security purposes, such as identity cards, credit cards or banknotes, which comprises a polymer network or a polymer film or a polymerizable LC material or an optical component as described in the context.

[0060] Terms and Definitions

[0061] As used herein, the term "polymer" is understood to mean a molecule having a backbone that contains one or more different types of repeating units (the smallest structural units of a molecule), and includes the commonly known terms "oligomer", "copolymer", "homopolymer", etc. In addition, it should be understood that the term polymer includes, in addition to the polymer itself, residues from initiators, catalysts and other elements accompanying the synthesis of such a polymer, where these residues are understood not to be covalently bound to it. In addition, these residues and other elements, although usually removed during post-polymerization purification, are usually mixed or blended with the polymer such that they are usually retained with the polymer when it is transferred between containers or between solvents or between dispersion media.

[0062] The term "(meth)acrylic polymer" as used in the present invention includes polymers obtained from acrylic monomers, polymers obtained from methacrylic monomers, and the corresponding copolymers obtained from mixtures of these monomers.

[0063] The term "polymerization" means a chemical process of forming a polymer by bonding together a plurality of polymerizable groups or polymer precursors (polymerizable compounds) containing such polymerizable groups.

[0064] The terms "membrane" and "layer" include rigid or flexible, self-supporting or free-standing membranes having mechanical stability, as well as coatings or layers on a support substrate or between two substrates.

[0065] The term "liquid crystal" or "LC" refers to materials that have a liquid crystal mesophase within certain temperature ranges (thermotropic LC) or within certain concentration ranges in solution (lyotropic LC). They must contain mesogenic compounds.

[0066] The terms "mesogenic compound" and "liquid crystal compound" mean compounds that contain one or more rod-shaped (rod-like or plate-like / platelet-like) or disc-shaped (disc-like) mesogenic groups. The term "mesogenic group" means a group having the ability to induce liquid crystal phase (or mesophase) behavior. Compounds containing mesogenic groups do not necessarily have to exhibit a liquid crystal mesophase themselves. They may also only exhibit a liquid crystal mesophase in a mixture with other compounds or when the mesogenic compound or material, or a mixture thereof, is polymerized. This includes low molecular weight non-reactive liquid crystal compounds, reactive or polymerizable liquid crystal compounds, and liquid crystal polymers.

[0067] Rod-like mesogenic groups generally contain a mesogenic core, which consists of one or more aromatic or non-aromatic cyclic groups directly or connected to each other through linking groups, optionally contains end groups attached to the ends of the mesogenic core, and optionally contains one or more lateral groups attached to the long sides of the mesogenic core, where these end groups and lateral groups are generally selected from, for example, carbonyl or hydrocarbon groups, polar groups such as halogens, nitro, hydroxyl, etc., or polymerizable groups.

[0068] The term "reactive mesogen" means a polymerizable mesogen or liquid crystal compound, preferably a monomeric compound. These compounds can be used as pure compounds or as a mixture of reactive mesogens with other compounds such as photoinitiators, inhibitors, surfactants, stabilizers, chain transfer agents, non-polymerizable compounds, etc.

[0069] A polymerizable compound having one polymerizable group is also called a "monoreactive" compound, a compound having two polymerizable groups is called a "di-reactive" compound, and a compound having more than two polymerizable groups is called a "multi-reactive" compound. A compound without a polymerizable group is also called a "non-reactive or non-polymerizable" compound.

[0070] The term "non-mesogenic compound or material" means a compound or material that does not contain a mesogenic group as defined above.

[0071] Visible light is electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range of about 400 nm to about 740 nm. Ultraviolet (UV) light is electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range of about 200 nm to about 450 nm.

[0072] Irradiance (E e ) or radiant power is defined as the electromagnetic radiation power (dθ) per unit area (dA) occurring on a surface:

[0073] E e = dθ / dA.

[0074] Radiation exposure or radiation dose (H e ) is the irradiance or radiant power (E e ) per time (t):

[0075] H e = E e ·t.

[0076] All temperatures, such as the melting point T(C,N) or T(C,S) of a liquid crystal, the transition T(S,N) from the smectic (S) to the nematic (N) phase, and the clearing point T(N,I), are expressed in degrees Celsius. All temperature differences are expressed as the difference in degrees.

[0077] The term "clearing point" means the temperature at which a transition occurs between the mesophase with the highest temperature range and the isotropic phase.

[0078] The term "director" is known in the prior art and means the preferred orientation direction of the long molecular axis (in the case of rod-shaped compounds) or the short molecular axis (in the case of disc-shaped compounds) of liquid crystal or RM molecules. In the case of uniaxial ordering of such anisotropic molecules, the director is the anisotropic axis.

[0079] The term "alignment" or "orientation" refers to the alignment (orientation ordering) of anisotropic units of a material, such as small molecules or macromolecular segments, in a common direction called the "alignment direction". In the alignment layer of a liquid crystal or RM material, the liquid crystal director is aligned with the alignment direction, such that the alignment direction corresponds to the direction of the anisotropic axis of the material.

[0080] The term "homogeneous alignment" or "homogeneous orientation" of a liquid crystal or RM material, for example in a material layer, means that the long molecular axis (in the case of rod-shaped compounds) or the short molecular axis (in the case of disc-shaped compounds) of the liquid crystal or RM molecules are oriented substantially in the same direction. In other words, the liquid crystal director lines are parallel.

[0081] The term "homeotropic structure" or "homeotropic orientation" refers to a film in which the optical axis is substantially perpendicular to the film plane.

[0082] The term "planar structure" or "planar orientation" refers to a film in which the optical axis is substantially parallel to the film plane.

[0083] The term "negative (optical) dispersion" refers to the birefringence of a liquid crystal material or layer that exhibits an opposite birefringence dispersion, where the magnitude of the birefringence (Δn) increases with increasing wavelength (λ), i.e., |Δn(450)| < |Δn(550)|, or Δn(450) / Δn(550) < 1, where Δn(450) and Δn(550) are the birefringences of the material measured at wavelengths of 450 nm and 550 nm, respectively. In contrast, "positive (optical) dispersion" refers to a material or layer having |Δn(450)| > |Δn(550)| or Δn(450) / Δn(550) > 1. See also, for example, A. Uchiyama, T. Yatabe "Control of Wavelength Dispersion of Birefringence for Oriented Copolycarbonate Films Containing Positive and Negative Birefringent Units". J. Appl. Phys. Vol. 42 pp 6941 - 6945 (2003).

[0084] Since the retardation rate of light at a given wavelength is defined as the product of the birefringence and the layer thickness as described above [R(λ) = Δn(λ)·d], the optical dispersion can be expressed as the "birefringence dispersion rate" by the ratio Δn(450) / Δn(550), or as the "retardation dispersion rate" by the ratio R(450) / R(550), where R(450) and R(550) are the retardation rates of the material measured at wavelengths of 450 nm and 550 nm, respectively. Since the layer thickness d does not change with wavelength, R(450) / R(550) is equal to Δn(450) / Δn(550). Thus, a material or layer with negative dispersion or inverse dispersion has R(450) / R(550) < 1 or |R(450)| < |R(550)|, and a material or layer with positive or normal dispersion has R(450) / R(550) > 1 or |R(450)| > |R(550)|.

[0085] In the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the "optical dispersion rate" refers to the retardation dispersion rate, i.e., the ratio R(450) / R(550).

[0086] The term "high dispersion" means that the absolute value of the dispersion shows a large deviation from 1, while the term "low dispersion" means that the absolute value of the dispersion shows a small deviation from 1. Thus, "high negative dispersion" means that the dispersion value is significantly less than 1, and "low negative dispersion" means that the dispersion value is only slightly less than 1.

[0087] The retardation rate (R(λ)) of a material can be measured using a spectroscopic ellipsometer, such as the M2000 spectroscopic ellipsometer manufactured by J.A. Woollam Co. This instrument is capable of measuring the nanoscale optical retardation rate of a birefringent sample, such as quartz, at a series of wavelengths typically from 370 nm to 2000 nm. Based on this data, the dispersion rate of the material (R(450) / R(550) or Δn(450) / Δn(550)) can be calculated.

[0088] The method for making these measurements was presented by N. Singh in October 2006 at the National Physics Laboratory (London, UK) under the title “Spectroscopic Ellipsometry, Part 1 - Theory and Fundamentals, Part 2 – Practical Examples and Part 3 - measurements”. According to the measurement procedures described in the Retardation Measurement (RetMeas) Manual (2002) and the Guide to WVASE (2002) (Woollam Variable Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometer) published by J.A. Woollam Co., Inc (Lincoln, NE, USA). Unless otherwise stated, this method is used to determine the retardation rates of the materials, films, and devices described in the present invention.

[0089] The term “A - plate” refers to an optical retarder utilizing a layer of uniaxial birefringent material, with its extraordinary axis oriented parallel to the plane of the layer.

[0090] The term “C - plate” refers to an optical retarder utilizing a layer of uniaxial birefringent material, with its extraordinary axis oriented perpendicular to the plane of the layer.

[0091] In an A / C - plate containing an optically uniaxial birefringent liquid crystal material with a uniform orientation, the optical axis of the film is given by the direction of the extraordinary axis. An A (or C) - plate containing an optically uniaxial birefringent material with a positive birefringence is also referred to as a “positive A (or C) - plate” or a “+A (or +C) - plate”.

[0092] An A (or C) - plate containing a film of an optically uniaxial birefringent material with a negative birefringence, such as a discotic anisotropic material, is also referred to as a “negative A (or C) - plate” or a “-A (or -C) - plate”, depending on the orientation of the discotic material. A film made of a cholesteric rod - like material having a reflection band in the UV part of the spectrum also has the optical properties of a negative C - plate.

[0093] The birefringence Δn is defined as follows

[0094] Δn = n e - n o

[0095] where n e is the extraordinary refractive index, n o is the ordinary refractive index, and the average refractive index nav. is given by:

[0096] n av. = ((2no 2 +n e 2 ) / 3) 1 / 2

[0097] Average refractive index n av. and the ordinary refractive index n o can be measured using an Abbe refractometer. Then Δn can be calculated from the above equation.

[0098] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, as used herein, the plural form of a term herein shall be construed to include the singular form and vice versa.

[0099] Unless otherwise clearly indicated, all physical properties have been determined according to "Merck Liquid Crystals, Physical Properties of Liquid Crystals", Status Nov. 1997, Merck KGaA, Germany, and the temperature was 20 °C. The optical anisotropy (Δn) was determined at a wavelength of 589.3 nm.

[0100] In case of doubt, the definitions given in C. Tschierske, G. Pelzl and S. Diele, Angew. Chem. 2004, 116, 6340 - 6368 shall apply.

[0101] Unless otherwise clearly indicated in a given general formula, the following terms have the following meanings:

[0102] "Carbon-based" means a mono- or polyvalent organic group containing at least one carbon atom, which does not contain other atoms (e.g., -C≡C-) or optionally contains one or more other atoms, e.g., N, O, S, P, Si, Se, As, Te or Ge (e.g., carbonyl, etc.). "Hydrocarbyl" means a carbon-based group which additionally contains one or more H atoms and optionally one or more heteroatoms, e.g., N, O, S, P, Si, Se, As, Te or Ge.

[0103] The carbon-based or hydrocarbyl group can be a saturated or unsaturated group. Unsaturated groups are, for example, aryl, alkenyl or alkynyl. The carbon-based or hydrocarbyl group having more than 3 C atoms can be straight-chain, branched and / or cyclic, and can contain spiro or fused rings.

[0104] Preferred carbon-based and hydrocarbon-based groups are optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, and alkoxycarbonyloxy groups having 1 to 40, preferably 1 to 25, particularly preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms, optionally substituted aryl or aryloxy groups having 6 to 40, preferably 6 to 25 carbon atoms, or optionally substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkylaryloxy, arylalkoxy, arylcarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, arylcarbonyloxy, and aryloxycarbonyloxy groups having 6 to 40, preferably 6 to 25 carbon atoms.

[0105] Further preferred carbon-based and hydrocarbon-based groups are C1-C 40 alkyl, C2-C 40 alkenyl, C2-C 40 alkynyl, C3-C 40 allyl, C4-C 40 alkyl-dienyl, C4-C 40 poly-enyl, C6-C 40 aryl, C6-C 40 alkylaryl, C6-C 40 arylalkyl, C6-C 40 alkylaryloxy, C6-C 40 arylalkoxy, C2-C 40 heteroaryl, C4-C 40 cycloalkyl, C4-C 40 cycloalkenyl, etc. Particularly preferred are C1-C 22 alkyl, C2-C 22 alkenyl, C2-C 22 alkynyl, C3-C 22 allyl, C4-C 22 alkyl-dienyl, C6-C 12 aryl, C6-C 20 arylalkyl and C2-C 20 heteroaryl.

[0106] Further preferred carbon-based and hydrocarbon-based groups are straight-chain, branched-chain or cyclic alkyl groups having 1 to 40, preferably 1 to 25, more preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, which are unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted by F, Cl, Br, I or CN and in which one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups may each independently be replaced by -C(R x )=C(R x )-, -C≡C-, -N(R x )-, -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CO-O-,

[0107] -O-CO-, -O-CO-O- in such a way that O and / or S atoms are not directly connected to each other.

[0108] Above, Rx Preferably represents H, a halogen, a straight-chain, branched-chain or cyclic alkyl chain having 1 to 25 C atoms, wherein furthermore, one or more non-adjacent C atoms may be replaced by -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -O-CO-O-, and wherein one or more H atoms may be replaced by fluorine, an optionally substituted aryl or aryloxy having 6 to 40 C atoms or an optionally substituted heteroaryl or heteroaryloxy having 2 - 40 C atoms.

[0109] Preferred alkyl groups are, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, 2-methylbutyl, n-pentyl, sec-pentyl, n-hexyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl, dodecyl, trifluoromethyl, perfluorobutyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, perfluorooctyl, perfluorohexyl, etc.

[0110] Preferred alkenyl groups are, for example, vinyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, cyclopentenyl, hexenyl, cyclohexenyl, heptenyl, cycloheptenyl, octenyl, cyclooctenyl, etc.

[0111] Preferred alkynyl groups are, for example, ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl, octynyl, etc.

[0112] Preferred alkoxy groups are, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, 2-methoxy-ethoxy, n-propoxy, i-propoxy, n-butoxy, i-butoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, 2-methylbutoxy, n-pentyloxy, n-hexyloxy, n-heptyloxy, n-octyloxy, n-nonyloxy, n-decyloxy, n-undecyloxy, n-dodecyloxy, etc.

[0113] Preferred amino groups are, for example, dimethylamino, methylamino, methylphenylamino, phenylamino, etc.

[0114] Aryl and heteroaryl can be monocyclic or polycyclic, i.e., they can have one ring (e.g., phenyl) or two or more rings, which can also be fused (e.g., naphthyl) or covalently linked (e.g., biphenyl), or contain a combination of fused and linked rings. Heteroaryl contains one or more heteroatoms, preferably selected from O, N, S, and Se.

[0115] Particularly preferred are monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic aryls having 6 to 25 C atoms and monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic heteroaryls having 2 to 25 carbon atoms, which optionally contain fused rings and which are optionally substituted. Furthermore, 5-, 6- or 7-membered aryls and heteroaryls are preferred, wherein furthermore, one or more CH groups may be replaced by N, S or O in such a way that O atoms and / or S atoms are not directly linked to each other.

[0116] Preferred aryl groups are, for example, phenyl, biphenyl, terphenyl, [1,1':3',1"]terphenyl-2'-yl, naphthyl, anthracene, binaphthyl, phenanthrene, pyrene, dihydropyrene, perylene, tetracene, pentacene, benzopyrene, fluorene, indene, indenofluorene, spirobifluorene, etc.

[0117] Preferred heteroaryl groups are, for example, 5-membered rings such as pyrrole, pyrazole, imidazole, 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,4-triazole, tetrazole, furan, thiophene, selenophene, oxazole, iso oxazole, 1,2-thiazole, 1,3-thiazole, 1,2,3- diazole, 1,2,4- diazole, 1,2,5- diazole, 1,3,4- diazole, 1,2,3-thiadiazole, 1,2,4-thiadiazole, 1,2,5-thiadiazole, 1,3,4-thiadiazole, 6-membered rings such as pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, 1,3,5-triazine, 1,2,4-triazine, 1,2,3-triazine, 1,2,4,5-tetrazine, 1,2,3,4-tetrazine, 1,2,3,5-tetrazine, or fused groups such as indole, isoindole, indolizine, indazole, benzimidazole, benzotriazole, purine, naphthimidazole, phenanthrimidazole, pyridineimidazole, pyrazineimidazole, quinoxalineimidazole, benzo oxazole, naphtho oxazole, anthra oxazole, phenanthro oxazole, iso oxazole, benzothiazole, benzofuran, isobenzofuran, dibenzofuran, quinoline, isoquinoline, pteridine, benzo-5,6-quinoline, benzo-6,7-quinoline, benzo-7,8-quinoline, benzoisoquinoline, acridine, phenothiazine, phen azine, benzopyridazine, benzopyrimidine, quinoxaline, phenazine, naphthyridine, azacarbazole, benzocarbazole, phenanthridine, phenanthroline, thiophene[2,3b]thiophene, thiophene[3,2b]thiophene, dithienothiophene, isobenzothiophene, dibenzothiophene, benzothiadiazolethiophene or combinations of these groups. The heteroaryl group can also be substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, thioalkyl, fluorine, fluoroalkyl or other aryl or heteroaryl groups.

[0118] (Non-aromatic) alicyclic and heterocyclic groups include saturated rings, i.e., those containing only single bonds, and partially unsaturated rings, i.e., those that can also contain multiple bonds. The heterocyclic ring contains one or more heteroatoms, preferably selected from Si, O, N, S, and Se.

[0119] (Non-aromatic) Alicyclic and heterocyclic groups can be monocyclic, i.e., containing only one ring (e.g., cyclohexane), or polycyclic, i.e., containing multiple rings (e.g., decalin or bicyclooctane). Saturated groups are particularly preferred. In addition, monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic groups having 3 to 25 C atoms are preferred, which optionally contain fused rings and are optionally substituted. In addition, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-membered carbocyclic groups are preferred, wherein in addition, one or more C atoms can be replaced by Si and / or one or more CH groups can be replaced by N and / or one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups can be replaced by -O- and / or -S-.

[0120] Preferred alicyclic and heterocyclic groups are, for example, 5-membered groups such as cyclopentane, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydrothiophene, pyrrole, 6-membered groups such as cyclohexane, silane, cyclohexene, tetrahydropyran, tetrahydrothiopyran, 1,3-di ane, 1,3-dithiane, piperidine, 7-membered groups such as cycloheptane, and fused groups such as tetralin, decalin, indane, bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1,3-diyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-diyl, spiro[3.3]heptane-2,6-diyl, octahydro-4,7-methanoindane-2,5-diyl.

[0121] Aryl, heteroaryl, (non-aromatic) alicyclic and heterocyclic groups optionally have one or more substituents, which are preferably selected from silyl, sulfo, sulfonyl, formyl, amino, imino, nitrile, mercapto, nitro, halo, C 1-12 alkyl, C 6-12 aryl, C 1-12 alkoxy, hydroxy or combinations of these groups.

[0122] Preferred substituents are, for example, solubilizing groups such as alkyl or alkoxy, electron-withdrawing groups such as fluorine, nitro or nitrile, or substituents for increasing the glass transition temperature (Tg) in polymers, especially bulky groups such as, for example, tert-butyl or optionally substituted aryl.

[0123] Preferred substituents, also referred to hereinafter as "L", are, for example, F, Cl, Br, I, -OH, -CN, -NO2, -NCO, -NCS, -OCN, -SCN, -C(=O)N(R x )2, -C(=O)Y x , -C(=O)R x , -C(=O)OR x , -N(R x )2, wherein R x has the above meaning, and Y xrepresents halogen, optionally substituted silyl, optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl having 4 to 40, preferably 4 to 20 ring atoms, and straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy having 1 to 25 C atoms, where one or more H atoms may optionally be replaced by F or Cl.

[0124] "Substituted silyl or aryl" preferably means substituted by halogen, -CN, R y , -OR y , -CO-R y , -CO-O-R y , -O-CO-R y or -O-CO-O-R y where R y represents H, a straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkyl chain having 1 to 12 C atoms.

[0125] In the formulas shown above and below, the substituted phenylene ring

[0126] preferably or

[0127] where L is the same or different at each occurrence and has one of the meanings given in the context, and is preferably F, Cl, CN, NO2, CH3, C2H5, C(CH3)3, CH(CH3)2, CH2CH(CH3)C2H5, OCH3, OC2H5, COCH3, COC2H5, COOCH3, COOC2H5, CF3, OCF3, OCHF2, OC2F5 or P-Sp-, very preferably F, Cl, CN, CH3, C2H5, OCH3, COCH3, OCF3 or P-Sp-, most preferably F, Cl, CH3, OCH3, COCH3 or OCF3.

[0128] "Halogen" represents F, Cl, Br or I, preferably F or Cl, more preferably F.

[0129] The term "cycloheteroalkyl ring" or "cycloheteroalkyl" within the meaning of the present invention represents a non-aromatic monocyclic or polycyclic alkyl ring containing at least one heteroatom, and may also be referred to as a heterocycloalkyl ring.

[0130] The term "alkylaryl" used in the text of the present invention relates to a group having an -alkyl-aryl structure connected by an alkyl. Here, both the alkyl and the aryl include substituted groups. Regarding the term "substituted", refer to the above description.

[0131] The term "alkyl heteroaryl" used in the text of the present invention refers to a group having an -alkyl-heteroaryl structure connected by an alkyl group. In this context, both the alkyl group and the heteroaryl group include substituted groups. Regarding the term "substituted", refer to the above description.

[0132] The "polymerizable group" (P) is preferably selected from groups containing a C═C double bond or a C≡C triple bond, and groups suitable for ring-opening polymerization, such as oxetanyl or epoxy groups.

[0133] Preferably, the polymerizable group (P) is selected from CH2═CW 1 -COO-, CH2═CW 1 -CO-, CH2═CW 2 -(O) k3 -, CW 1 ═CH-CO-(O) k3 -, CW 1 ═CH-CO-NH-, CH2═CW 1 -CO-NH-, CH3-CH═CH-O-, (CH2═CH)2CH-OCO-, (CH2═CH-CH2)2CH-OCO-, (CH2═CH)2CH-O-, (CH2═CH-CH2)2N-, (CH2═CH-CH2)2N-CO-, CH2═CW 1 -CO-NH-, CH2═CH-(COO) k1 -Phe-(O) k2 -, CH2═CH-(CO) k1 -Phe-(O) k2 -, Phe-CH═CH-, where

[0134] W 1 represents H, F, Cl, CN, CF3, phenyl or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 C atoms, especially H, F, Cl or CH3,

[0135] W 2 represents H or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 C atoms, especially H, methyl, ethyl or n-propyl,

[0136] W 3 and W 4Each independently represents H, Cl or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 C atoms, Phe represents 1,4-phenylene, which is optionally substituted by one or more groups L as defined above but different from P-Sp, and the preferred substituent L is F, Cl, CN, NO2, CH3, C2H5, OCH3, OC2H5, COCH3, COC2H5, COOCH3, COOC2H5, CF3, OCF3, OCHF2, OC2F5, and also phenyl, and

[0137] k1, k2 and k3 each independently represent 0 or 1, k3 preferably represents 1, and k4 is an integer from 1 to 10.

[0138] Particularly preferred polymerizable groups P are CH2=CH-COO-, CH2=C(CH3)-COO-, CH2=CF-COO-, CH2=CH-, CH2=CH-O-, (CH2=CH)2CH-OCO-, (CH2=CH)2CH-O-, and where W 2 represents H or has 1 to 5 C atoms, especially H, methyl, ethyl or n-propyl,

[0139] Further preferred polymerizable groups (P) are vinyloxy, acrylate, methacrylate, fluoroacrylate, chloroacrylate, oxetanyl and epoxy groups, most preferably acrylate or methacrylate groups, especially acrylate groups.

[0140] Preferably, all polyreactive polymerizable compounds and their sub-formulas contain one or more branched-chain groups (polyreactive polymerizable groups) containing two or more polymerizable groups P instead of one or more groups P-Sp-.

[0141] Suitable such groups and polymerizable compounds containing them are described, for example, in US 7,060,200 B1 or US2006 / 0172090 A1.

[0142] Particularly preferred polyreactive polymerizable groups are selected from the following formulas:

[0143]

[0144] where

[0145] alkyl represents a single bond or a straight-chain or branched alkylene group having 1 to 12 C atoms, where one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups can each be replaced by -C(R x )=C(R x )-, -C≡C-, -N(R x)-, -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -O-CO-O- are replaced in such a way that the O and / or S atoms are not directly linked to each other, and in addition, one or more H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl or CN, where R X has one of the above meanings,

[0146] aa and bb each independently of one another represent 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6,

[0147] X has one of the meanings indicated for X', and

[0148] P v to P z each independently of one another have one of the meanings indicated above for P.

[0149] The preferred spacer group Sp is selected from the formula Sp'-X', such that the group "P-Sp-" corresponds to the formula "P-Sp'-X'-", where

[0150] Sp' represents an alkylene group having 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 12 C atoms, which is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by F, Cl, Br, I or CN, and in addition, one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups may each independently of one another be replaced by -O-, -S-, -NH-, -NR xx -, -SiR xx R yy -, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -OCO-O-, -S-CO-, -CO-S-, -NR xx- CO-O-, -O-CO-NR 0xx -, -NR xx -CO-NR yy -, -CH=CH- or -C≡C- in such a way that the O and / or S atoms are not directly linked to each other,

[0151] X' represents -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -O-COO-, -CO-NR xx -, -NR xx -CO-, -NR xx -CO-NR yy -, -OCH2-, -CH2O-, -SCH2-, -CH2S-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CF2S-, -SCF2-, -CF2CH2-, -CH2CF2-, -CF2CF2-, -CH=N-, -N=CH-, -N=N-, -CH=CR xx -, -CY xx =CY xx—, —C≡C—, —CH=CH—COO—, —OCO—CH=CH— or a single bond,

[0152] R xx and R yy each independently of one another represents H or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 C atoms, and

[0153] Y xx and Y yy each independently of one another represents H, F, Cl or CN.

[0154] X' is preferably —O—, —S—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —O—COO—, —CO—NR xx —, —NR xx —CO—, —NR xx —CO—NR yy or a single bond.

[0155] Typical spacer groups Sp' are, for example, —(CH2) p1 —, —(CH2CH2O) q1 —CH2CH2—, —CH2CH2—S—CH2CH2—, —CH2CH2—NH—CH2CH2— or —(SiR xx R yy —O) p1 —, where p1 is an integer from 1 to 12, q1 is an integer from 1 to 3, and R xx and R yy have the above meanings.

[0156] Particularly preferred groups —X'—Sp'— are —(CH2) p1 —, —O—(CH2) p1 —, —OCO—(CH2) p1 —, —OCOO—(CH2) p1 —, where p1 is an integer from 1 to 12.

[0157] Particularly preferred spacer groups Sp' are, for example, in each case straight-chain methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentylene, hexylene, heptylene, octylene, nonylene, decylene, undecylene, dodecylene, octadecylene, ethyleneoxyethylene, methyleneoxybutylene, ethylenethioethylene, ethyl-N-methyliminoethylene, 1-methylalkylene, vinylene, propenylene and butenylene.

[0158] For the present invention,

[0159]

[0160] represents trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, and

[0161]

[0162] represents 1,4-phenylene.

[0163] For the present invention, the group -COO- or -CO2- represents the ester group of formula and the group -OCO-, -O2C- or –OOC- represents the

[0164] ester group of formula

[0165] "Polymer network" is a network in which all polymer chains are interconnected by many crosslinks to form a single macroscopic entity.

[0166] - Graft polymer molecules are branched polymer molecules in which one or more side chains are structurally or configurally different from the main chain.

[0167] - Star polymer molecules are branched polymer molecules in which a single branching point gives rise to multiple linear chains or arms. If the arms are identical, the star polymer molecule is said to be regular. If adjacent arms contain different repeating subunits, the star polymer molecule is said to be hybrid.

[0168] - Comb polymer molecules consist of a main chain having two or more trifunctional branching points and linear side chains. If the arms are identical, the comb polymer molecule is said to be regular.

[0169] - Brush polymer molecules consist of a main chain having linear, unbranched side chains and in which one or more branching points have tetrafunctional or greater functionality.

[0170] Throughout this specification and the claims, the words "comprises" and "comprising" and variations of the words such as "includes" and "having" mean "including but not limited to" and are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components. On the other hand, the word "comprising" also includes the term "consisting of", but is not limited thereto.

[0171] Throughout this specification and the claims, the words "obtainable" and "obtained" and variations of the words mean "including but not limited to" and are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components. On the other hand, the word "obtainable" also includes the term "obtained", but is not limited thereto.

[0172] All concentrations are expressed as weight percentages, and all temperatures are in degrees Celsius relative to the entire mixture, and all temperature differences are in degree differences.

[0173] Detailed Description

[0174] In the formula UVI compound, the group N(R 13 )(R 14 ) may also preferably be an amine.

[0175] Preferred is the following embodiment:

[0176] p is 2,

[0177] is an organic group having 4 binding sites, preferably an alkanetetrayl unit having 1 to 30 C atoms, wherein in addition to the m groups R 12 present in the molecule, but independently thereof, one other H atom may also be replaced by R 12 or a plurality of other H atoms may also be replaced by R 12 preferably an alkanetetrayl unit having a monovalent or divalent at each of the two terminal C atoms, wherein one -CH2- group or a plurality of -CH2- groups may be replaced by -O- or -(C=O)- in such a way that two O atoms are not directly connected to each other, or is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group or heteroaromatic hydrocarbon group having at most 8 valences, wherein in addition to the m groups R 12 present in the molecule, but independently thereof, one other H atom may be replaced by R 12 or a plurality of other H atoms may be replaced by R 12

[0178] represents (biphenyl-1,1′,3,3′-tetrayl), (benzene-1,2,4,5-tetrayl), or -CH2-(CH-)-[CH2] q -(CH-)-CH2- (where q ∈ {0,1,2,3 to 16}) or >CH-[CH2] r -CH- (where r ∈ {0,1,2,3,4,5 to 18}),

[0179] represents (benzene-1,3,5-tritrayl), (benzene-1,2,4-tritrayl) or >CH-[CH2] r -CH2- (where r ∈ {0,1,2,3,4,5 to 18}) or

[0180] represents -CH2-[CH2] r ​-CH2- (where r ∈ {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to 18}), octane-1,8-diyl, heptane-1,7-diyl, hexane-1,6-diyl, pentane-1,5-diyl, butane-1,4-diyl, propane-1,3-diyl, ethane-1,2-diyl or (1,4-phenylene), (1,3-phenylene), (1,2-phenylene) or (1,4-cyclohexylene).

[0181] In the present application, all elements include their corresponding isotopes. In particular, one or more H in the compound can be replaced by D, and this is also particularly preferred in some embodiments. The corresponding highly deuterated form of the corresponding compound enables, for example, the monitoring and identification of the compound. This is very helpful in some cases, especially in the case of compounds of formula UVI.

[0182] In the present application,

[0183] alkyl particularly preferably represents a straight-chain alkyl, especially CH3-, C2H5-, n-C3H7-, n-C4H9- or n-C5H 11 -, and

[0184] alkenyl particularly preferably represents CH2=CH-, E-CH3-CH=CH-, CH2=CH-CH2-CH2-, E-CH3-CH=CH-CH2-CH2-, E-(n-C3H7)-CH=CH-.

[0185] The liquid crystal medium according to the present application preferably contains, in total, 1 ppm to 2500 ppm, preferably 1 ppm to 1500 ppm, preferably 1 to 600 ppm, even more preferably 1 to 250 ppm, preferably up to 200 ppm, and very particularly preferably 1 ppm to 100 ppm of the compound of formula UVI.

[0186] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the compound of formula UVI,

[0187] represents (biphenyl-1,1′,3,3′-tetrayl) or (benzene-1,2,4,5-tetrayl)

[0188] represents (benzene-1,3,5-tritrayl) or (benzene-1,2,4-tritrayl),

[0189] representing -(CH2-)2, -(CH2-)3, -(CH2-)4, -(CH2-)5, -(CH2-)6, -(CH2-)7, -(CH2-)8, namely ethane-1,2-diyl, propane-1,3-diyl, butane-1,4-diyl, pentane-1,5-diyl, hexane-1,6-diyl, heptane-1,7-diyl, octane-1,8-diyl, (1,4-phenylene), (1,3-phenylene), (1,2-phenylene) or (trans-1,4-cyclohexylene), and / or

[0190] -Z 12 -S 11 -Z 11 - each occurrence independently represents -O-, -S 11 -O-, -O-S 11 -O-, -(C=O)-O-S 11 -O-, -O-(C=O)-S 11 -O-, -O-(C=O)-S 11 -(C=O)-O-, -O-S 11 -(C=O)-O-, -(C=O)-O-S 11 -(C=O)-O- or -(N-R 13 )-S 11 -O-, -N-R 13 -(C=O)-S 11 -(C=O)-O- or a single bond, preferably -O-, -S 11 -O-, -O-S 11 -O-, -(C=O)-O-S 11 -O-, -O-(C=O)-S 11 -O- or -O-S 11 -(C=O)-O-, and / or

[0191] R 11 when present represents alkyl, alkoxy or H, preferably H or alkyl, and / or R 12 represents H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl or 3-heptyl, or cyclohexyl.

[0192] In a preferred embodiment of the present application, in the UVI compound of the formula,

[0193]

[0194] represents a group selected from the following formulas

[0195]

[0196] In a preferred embodiment of the present application, in the UVI compound of the formula,

[0197]

[0198] represents a group selected from the following formula

[0199]

[0200]

[0201] In a preferred embodiment of the present application, in the UVI compound of the formula, wherein p preferably represents 1,

[0202] represents preferably -O-S 11 -O-,-S 11 -O- or -O-S 11 -, particularly preferably -O-S 11 -O.

[0203] In a preferred embodiment of the present application, in the UVI compound of the formula, the group

[0204]

[0205] preferably represents a group selected from the following formula

[0206]

[0207]

[0208] In a further preferred embodiment of the present application, which may be the same as or different from those described above, in the UVI compound of the formula,

[0209]

[0210] preferably represents a group selected from the following formula

[0211]

[0212]

[0213] In a further preferred embodiment of the present application, which may be the same as or different from those described above, in the UVI compound of the formula, the group

[0214]

[0215] each independently represents, each time it appears,

[0216]

[0217] Preferably

[0218]

[0219] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present application, in the UVI compounds of the formula, all the groups present

[0220]

[0221] have the same meaning.

[0222] These compounds are very suitable for use as stabilizers in liquid crystal mixtures. In particular, they stabilize the VHR of the mixture against UV exposure.

[0223] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the medium according to the present invention in each case comprises one or more UVI compounds of the formula selected from the group of UVI-1 to UVI-13 compounds of the formula: preferably compounds selected from the formulas UVI-3, UVI-5, UVI-6, UVI-7, UVI-8, UVI-9, UVI-10, UVI-12 and UVI-13, particularly preferably compounds selected from the formulas UVI-6 to UVI-9, and very particularly preferably the compound of the formula UVI-9,

[0224]

[0225]

[0226]

[0227]

[0228]

[0229]

[0230] In an even more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the medium according to the present invention in each case comprises one or more UVI compounds of the formula selected from the compounds of the following formulas UVI-1 and / or UVI-3 to UVI-7 and / or UVI-8 and / or UVI-9.

[0231] In an even more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the medium according to the present invention in each case comprises one or more UVI compounds of the formula selected from the compounds of the following formulas UVI-8 and / or UVI-9.

[0232] Preferably, the proportion of the UVI compound in the LC medium is from 0.01 to 5% by weight of the total medium, very preferably from 0.05 to 3%, especially from 0.1 to 2%.

[0233] The compounds of formula UVI and its sub-formulae can be prepared analogously to the methods known to the person skilled in the art and described in standard works of organic chemistry, such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie [Methods of Organic Chemistry], Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart. Preferably, the compounds of formula UVI can be obtained as disclosed in US2018-0216005 A1.

[0234] Preferred compounds of formula UVII are selected from the following sub-formulae:

[0235]

[0236] wherein

[0237] R 1 to R 5 each independently represents a group selected from the group consisting of H, -alkyl, -OH, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, alkenyl, aryl and -SO3H, and

[0238] R 6 and R 7 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a halogen atom.

[0239] In a preferred embodiment, the compounds of formula UVI are selected from those in which at least one of R 1 to R 5 represents -OH; preferably at least R 1 represents -OH.

[0240] Thus, the compounds of formula UVII are selected from the compounds of the following sub-formulae:

[0241]

[0242] wherein

[0243] R 2 to R 5 each independently represents a group selected from the group consisting of H, -alkyl, -OH, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, alkenyl, aryl and -SO3H, and

[0244] R 6 and R 7 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a halogen atom.

[0245] In a preferred embodiment, the UV I compound is selected from those in which R 3 or R 5 at least one of which represents -H; preferably, R 3 and R 5 both represent -H.

[0246] Accordingly, the UV II compound is selected from compounds of the following sub-formulas:

[0247]

[0248] wherein

[0249] R 2 and R 4 each independently represents a group selected from the group consisting of H, -alkyl, -OH, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, and -SO3H, and

[0250] R 6 and R 7 each independently represents hydrogen or halogen, preferably hydrogen.

[0251] In a preferred embodiment, the UV II compound is selected from compounds in which R 2 and R 4 preferably each independently represents alkylaryl (especially alkylphenyl) or alkyl (especially straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl having 5 to 15 carbon atoms), wherein one or more -(CH2)- groups may be replaced by -COO-, -OCO- in such a way that no two oxygen atoms are linked together.

[0252] In a preferred embodiment, the compound of formula UV II is selected from compounds of the following sub-formulas:

[0253]

[0254] Preferably, the proportion of the UV II compound in the LC medium is 0.01 to 5% by weight of the total medium, very preferably 0.05 to 3% by weight, especially 0.1 to 2% by weight.

[0255] The compounds of formula UV II and its sub-formulas can be prepared analogously to the methods known to those skilled in the art and described in standard works of organic chemistry, such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie [Methods of Organic Chemistry], Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart. Some compounds are also commercially available under the trade name (BASF, Germany).

[0256] The combination of the compounds of formulae UVI and UVII in the polymerizable LC material according to the invention results in a further improvement in UV stability, which cannot be achieved by using the compounds individually.

[0257] Preferably, one or more di- or polyreactive mesogenic compounds are selected from the formula DRM

[0258] P 1 -Sp 1 -MG-Sp 2 -P 2 DRM

[0259] wherein

[0260] P 1 and P 2 independently of one another represent polymerizable groups,

[0261] Sp 1 and Sp 2 are independently of one another a spacer or a single bond, and

[0262] MG is a rod-like mesogenic group, which is preferably selected from the formula MG

[0263] -(A 1 -Z 1 ) n -A 2 - MG

[0264] wherein

[0265] A 1 and A 2 in the case of multiple occurrences independently of one another represent an aromatic or alicyclic group, which optionally contains one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O and S, and is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by L 1 mono- or polysubstituted,

[0266] L 1 is P-Sp-, F, Cl, Br, I, -CN, -NO2, -NCO, -NCS, -OCN, -SCN, -C(=O)NR 00 R 000 , -C(=O)OR 00 , -C(=O)R 00 , -NR 00 R 000, -OH, -SF5, an optionally substituted silyl group, an aryl or heteroaryl group having 1 to 12, preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and a straight-chain or branched alkyl group, alkoxy group, alkylcarbonyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, alkylcarbonyloxy group or alkoxycarbonyloxy group having 1 to 12, preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms are optionally replaced by F or Cl,

[0267] R 00 and R 000 each independently represents H or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms,

[0268] Z 1 when occurring multiple times, each independently represents -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -S-CO-, -CO-S-, -O-COO-, -CO-NR 00 -, -NR 00 -CO-, -NR 00 -CO-NR 000 , -NR 00 -CO-O-, -O-CO-NR 00 -, -OCH2-, -CH2O-, -SCH2-, -CH2S-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CF2S-, -SCF2-, -CH2CH2-, -(CH2) n1 , -CF2CH2-, -CH2CF2-, -CF2CF2-, -CH=N-, -N=CH-, -N=N-, -CH=CR 00 -, -CY 1 =CY 2 -, -C≡C-, -CH=CH-COO-, -OCO-CH=CH- or a single bond,

[0269] Y 1 and Y 2 each independently represents H, F, Cl or CN,

[0270] n is 1, 2, 3 or 4, preferably 1 or 2, most preferably 2,

[0271] n1 is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1, 2, 3 or 4.

[0272] Preferred groups A 1 and A 2 include but are not limited to furan, pyrrole, thiophene, oxazole, thiazole, thiadiazole, imidazole, phenylene, cyclohexylene, bicyclooctylene, cyclohexenylene, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, azulene, indane, fluorene, naphthalene, tetrahydronaphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene and dithienothiophene, all of which are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups L as defined above.

[0273] Particularly preferred group A 1 and A 2 is selected from 1,4-phenylene, pyridine-2,5-diyl, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, thiophene-2,5-diyl, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, indane-2,5-diyl, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,5-diyl or 1,4-cyclohexylene, where one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups are optionally replaced by O and / or S, and where these groups are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups L as defined above.

[0274] Particularly preferred group Z 1 are, each time they occur, independently of one another preferably selected from -COO-, -OCO-, -CH2CH2-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -C≡C-, -CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -CH=CH-COO- or a single bond.

[0275] Very particularly preferred di-reactive mesogenic compounds of the formula DRM are selected from the following formulae:

[0276]

[0277]

[0278] where

[0279] P 0 are, in the case of multiple occurrences, independently of one another polymerizable groups, preferably acryloyl, methacryloyl, oxetanyl, epoxy, vinyl, heptadienyl, vinyloxy, allyl ether or styryl.

[0280] L has, each time it occurs, the same or different meaning as given for L in the formula DRM 1 and is preferably, in the case of multiple occurrences, independently of one another selected from F, Cl, CN or an optionally halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy having 1 to 5 C atoms.

[0281] r is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4.

[0282] x and y are, independently of one another, 0 or the same or different integers from 1 to 12.

[0283] z is, independently of one another, 0 or 1, and is 0 if the adjacent x or y is 0.

[0284] Particularly preferred are the compounds of the formulae DRMa1, DRMa2 and DRMa3, especially those of the formula DRMa1.

[0285] Preferably, the polymerizable LC material further comprises at least one monoreactive mesogenic compound, which is preferably selected from the formula MRM,

[0286] P 1 -Sp 1 -MG-R MRM

[0287] wherein P 1 , Sp 1 and MG have the meanings given in formula DRM,

[0288] R is F, Cl, Br, I, -CN, -NO2, -NCO, -NCS, -OCN, -SCN, -C(=O)NR x R y , -C(=O)X, -C(=O)OR x , -C(=O)R y , -NR x R y , -OH, -SF5, an optionally substituted silyl group, a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl group having 1 to 12, preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group, an alkylcarbonyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group or an alkoxycarbonyloxy group, wherein one or more H atoms are optionally replaced by F or Cl,

[0289] X is a halogen, preferably F or Cl, and

[0290] R x and R y are each independently H or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0291] Preferably, the monoreactive mesogenic compound of formula MRM is selected from the following formulas.

[0292]

[0293]

[0294]

[0295]

[0296] wherein P 0 , L, r, x, y and z are as defined in formulas DRMa-1 to DRMe,

[0297] R 0 is an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a thioalkyl group, an alkylcarbonyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group or an alkoxycarbonyloxy group having 1 or more, preferably 1 to 15 carbon atoms, or represents Y 0 ,

[0298] Y 0is F, Cl, CN, NO2, OCH3, OCN, SCN, SF5, or a mono-, oligo-, or polyfluorinated alkyl or alkoxy group having from 1 to 4 C atoms,

[0299] Z 0 is -COO-, -OCO-, -CH2CH2-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -CH=CH-COO- or a single bond,

[0300] A 0 which, in the case of multiple occurrences, are independently of one another unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups L and are 1,4-phenylene or trans-1,4-cyclohexylene,

[0301] u and v are independently of one another 0, 1 or 2,

[0302] w is 0 or 1,

[0303] and where the benzene and naphthalene rings may additionally be substituted by one or more identical or different groups L.

[0304] Further preferred are compounds of the formulas MRM1, MRM2, MRM3, MRM4, MRM5, MRM6, MRM7, MRM9 and MRM10, in particular those of the formulas MRM1, MRM4, MRM6 and MRM7, and especially those of the formulas MRM1 and MRM7.

[0305] Compounds of the formulas DRM, MRM and their sub-formulas can be prepared analogously to methods known to the person skilled in the art and described in standard works of organic chemistry, such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie [Methods of Organic Chemistry], Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart.

[0306] In the entire polymerizable liquid-crystalline material according to the invention, the proportion of the mono-, di- or polyreactive liquid-crystalline compounds is preferably in the range from 30 to 99.9% by weight, more preferably in the range from 40 to 99.9% by weight, and even more preferably in the range from 50 to 99.9% by weight.

[0307] In a preferred embodiment, in the entire polymerizable liquid-crystalline material according to the invention, the proportion of the di- or polyreactive polymerizable mesogenic compounds is preferably in the range from 5 to 99% by weight, more preferably in the range from 10 to 97% by weight, and even more preferably in the range from 15 to 95% by weight.

[0308] In another preferred embodiment, in the polymerizable liquid crystal material according to the invention as a whole, the proportion of the mono-reactive polymerizable mesogenic compound (if present) is preferably in the range of 5 to 80% by weight, more preferably in the range of 10 to 75% by weight, and even more preferably in the range of 15 to 70% by weight.

[0309] In another preferred embodiment, in the polymerizable liquid crystal material according to the invention as a whole, the proportion of the multi-reactive polymerizable mesogenic compound (if present) is preferably in the range of 1 to 30% by weight, more preferably in the range of 2 to 20% by weight, and even more preferably in the range of 3 to 10% by weight.

[0310] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC material does not contain a polymerizable mesogenic compound having more than two polymerizable groups.

[0311] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC material does not contain a polymerizable mesogenic compound having less than two polymerizable groups.

[0312] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC material is a non-chiral material, i.e., it does not contain any chiral polymerizable mesogenic compound or other chiral compound.

[0313] In a further preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC material comprises at least one mono-reactive mesogenic compound, preferably selected from the formula MRM-1, at least one di-reactive mesogenic compound, preferably selected from the formula DRMa-1, one or more compounds of formula UVI, and one or more compounds of formula UVII.

[0314] In a further preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC material comprises at least one mono-reactive mesogenic compound, preferably selected from the formula MRM-7, at least one di-reactive mesogenic compound, preferably selected from the formula DRMa-1, one or more compounds of formula UVI, and one or more compounds of formula UVII.

[0315] In a further preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC material comprises at least two mono-reactive mesogenic compounds, preferably compounds selected from the formula MRM-1 and / or MRM-7, at least one di-reactive mesogenic compound, preferably selected from the formula DRMa-1, one or more compounds of formula UVI and one or more compounds of formula UVII.

[0316] In a further preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC material comprises at least two mono-reactive mesogenic compounds, preferably compounds selected from the formula MRM-1 and / or MRM-7, at least two di-reactive mesogenic compounds, preferably compounds selected from the formula DRMa-1, one or more compounds of formula UVI and one or more compounds of formula UVII.

[0317] In a further preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC material comprises at least two di-reactive mesogenic compounds, preferably selected from the compounds of formula DRM a-1, one or more compounds of formula UVI and one or more compounds of formula UVII.

[0318] In a further preferred embodiment, especially for negative optical dispersion applications, the polymerizable LC material as described above further comprises one or more compounds of formula ND,

[0319]

[0320] wherein

[0321] U 1,2 are each independently selected from

[0322]

[0323] including their mirror images, wherein the ring U 1 and U 2 are each bonded to the -(B) q - group by an axial bond, and one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups in these rings are optionally replaced by O and / or S, and the ring U 1 and U 2 are optionally substituted with one or more groups L,

[0324] L, each time it occurs, is the same or different and has one of the meanings given for L in formula DRM 1 and preferably, in the case of multiple occurrences, are each independently selected from F, Cl, CN or an optionally halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy having 1 to 5 carbon atoms,

[0325] Q 1,2 are each independently CH or SiH,

[0326] Q 3 is C or Si,

[0327] B, each time it occurs, is independently -C≡C-, -CY 1 =CY 2 - or an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group,

[0328] Y 1,2 are each independently H, F, Cl, CN or R 0 and

[0329] q is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7,

[0330] A 1-4 Each independently selected from non-aromatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups, optionally substituted by one or more groups R 5 substituted, and wherein -(A 1 -Z 1 ) m -U 1 -(Z 2 -A 2 ) n - and -(A 3 -Z 3 ) o -U 2 -(Z 4 -A 4 ) p - each contain no more aromatic groups than non-aromatic groups and preferably contain no more than one aromatic group,

[0331] Z 1-4 Each independently is -O-,-S-,-CO-,-COO-,-OCO-,-O-COO-,-CO-NR 0 -,-NR 0 -CO-,-NR 0 -CO-NR 00 -,-OCH2-,-CH2O-,-SCH2-,-CH2S-,-CF2O-,-OCF2-,-CF2S-,-SCF2-,-CH2CH2-,-(CH2)3-,-(CH2)4-,-CF2CH2-,-CH2CF2-,-CF2CF2-,-CH=CH-,-CY 1 =CY 2 -,-CH=N-,-N=CH-,-N=N-,-CH=CR 0 -,-C≡C-,-CH=CH-COO-,-OCO-CH=CH-,CR 0 R 00 or a single bond,

[0332] R 0 and R 00 Each independently is H or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 C atoms,

[0333] m and n are each independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4,

[0334] o and p are each independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4,

[0335] R 1-5Each independently the same or different and selected from H, halogen, -CN, -NC, -NCO, -NCS, -OCN, -SCN, -C(=O)NR 0 R 00 , -C(=O)R 0 , -NH2, -NR 0 R 00 , -SH, -SR 0 , -SO3H, -SO2R 0 , -OH, -NO2, -CF3, -SF5, P-Sp-, an optionally substituted silyl group or an optionally substituted and optionally containing one or more heteroatoms carbon-based or hydrocarbon group having 1 to 40 carbon atoms, or represents P or P-Sp-, or substituted by P or P-Sp-, wherein the compound comprises at least one R group representing P or P-Sp- or substituted by P or P-Sp- 1-5 group

[0336] P is a polymerizable group

[0337] Sp is a spacer group or a single bond

[0338] Preferably, the subgroup forming the bridging group B in formula ND is preferably selected from groups having a bond angle of 120° or greater, preferably in the range of 180°. Highly preferred is a -C≡C- group or a divalent aromatic group such as 1,4-phenylene, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, indane-2,6-diyl or thiophene[3,2-b]thiophene-2,5-diyl connected to their adjacent groups in the para position

[0339] Other possible subgroups include -CH=CH-, -CY 1 =CY 2 -,-CH=N-,-N=CH-,-N=N- and -CH=CR 0 -, where Y 1 ,Y 2 ,R 0 has the above meanings

[0340] Preferably, the bridging group in formula ND or -(B) q - contains one or more groups selected from -C≡C-, optionally substituted 1,4-phenylene and optionally substituted 9H-fluorene-2,7-diyl. The subgroup in formula ND or B is preferably selected from -C≡C-, optionally substituted 1,4-phenylene and optionally substituted 9H-fluorene-2,7-diyl, wherein the H-atom at the 9-position in the fluorenyl group is optionally replaced by a carbon-based or hydrocarbon group

[0341] Highly preferably, the bridging group in formula ND or -(B) q - is selected from:

[0342] -C≡C-,-C≡C-C≡C-,-C≡C-C≡C-C≡C-,-C≡C-C≡C-C≡C-C≡C-,

[0343] or

[0344] where r is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 and L has the meaning as described below.

[0345] Preferably, the linking bridge group of the mesogenic group links non-aromatic rings, such as U in formula ND 1 and U 2 and is preferably selected from

[0346]

[0347] where R 5 is as defined in formula ND.

[0348] Preferably, the aromatic group A in formula ND 1-4 can be mononuclear, i.e., having only one aromatic ring (e.g., phenyl or phenylene), or polynuclear, i.e., having two or more fused rings (e.g., naphthyl or naphthylene). Particularly preferred are mono-, bi- or tricyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic groups having at most 25 C atoms, which may also contain fused rings and are optionally substituted.

[0349] Preferably, the non-aromatic carbocyclic and heterocyclic rings A in the compound of formula ND 1-4 include saturated (also called "fully saturated") ones, i.e., they contain only C atoms or heteroatoms connected by single bonds, and unsaturated (also called "partially saturated") ones, i.e., they also contain C atoms or heteroatoms connected by double bonds. The non-aromatic rings may also contain one or more heteroatoms, preferably selected from Si, O, N and S.

[0350] Preferably, the non-aromatic and aromatic rings in formula ND, or A 1-4 are selected from trans-1,4-cyclohexylene and 1,4-phenylene optionally substituted by one or more groups L.

[0351] Very preferably, the compound of formula ND in which m and p are 1 and n and o are 1 or 2. Further preferably, the compound of formula ND in which m and p are 1 or 2 and n and o are 0. Further preferably, the compound in which m, n, o and p are 2.

[0352] In the compound of formula ND, the linking group or Z that links the aromatic and non-aromatic ring groups in the mesogenic group 1-4 is preferably selected from -O-,-S-,-CO-,-COO-,-OCO-,-O-COO-,-CO-NR 0-,-NR 0 -CO-,-NR 0 -CO-NR 0 -,-OCH2-,-CH2O-,-SCH2-,-CH2S-,-CF2O-,-OCF2-,-CF2S-,-SCF2-,-CH2CH2-,-(CH2)3-,-(CH2)4-,-CF2CH2-,-CH2CF2-,-CF2CF2-,-CH=CH-,-CY 1 =CY 2 -,-CH=N-,-N=CH-,-N=N-,-CH=CR 0 -,-C≡C-,-CH=CH-COO-,-OCO-CH=CH-,CR 0 R 00 or a single bond, very preferably selected from -COO-, -OCO- and a single bond.

[0353] Preferably, in the ND compound of the formula, substituents on the ring, such as L, are preferably selected from P-Sp-, F, Cl, Br, I, -CN, -NO2, -NCO, -NCS, -OCN, -SCN, -C(=O)NR 0 R 00 ,-C(=O)X, -C(=O)OR 0 ,-C(=O)R 0 ,-NR 0 R 00 ,-OH, -SF5, an optionally substituted silyl group, an aryl or heteroaryl group having 1 to 12, preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and a straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy group having 1 to 12, preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, wherein one or more H atoms are optionally replaced by F or Cl, where R 0 and R 00 are as defined in formula ND and X is a halogen.

[0354] Preferably, the ND compound of the formula contains one or more end groups substituted by two or more polymerizable groups P or P-Sp- (polyfunctional polymerizable groups), such as R 1-4 , or substituents, such as R 5 . Suitable polyfunctional polymerizable groups of this type are disclosed, for example, in US 7,060,200 B1 or US 2006 / 0172090 A1.

[0355] Very preferred ND compounds of the formula are those of the following sub-formulas:

[0356]

[0357]

[0358]

[0359]

[0360]

[0361] wherein R 1-5 , A 1-4 , Z 1-4 , B, m, n, o, p and q have one of the meanings given above.

[0362] Particularly preferred are compounds of the following sub-formulae:

[0363]

[0364]

[0365]

[0366]

[0367]

[0368]

[0369]

[0370]

[0371]

[0372]

[0373]

[0374] wherein Z has one of the meanings of Z 1 given above, R has one of the meanings of R 1 given above different from P-Sp-, and P, Sp, L and r are as defined above, and the benzene rings in the mesogenic groups are optionally substituted by one or more groups L as defined above.

[0375] Furthermore, a polymerizable liquid-crystalline medium is preferred, wherein the compound of formula ND is selected from the compounds of formula ND 25 or ND 26, in particular wherein Z represents -COO-, r is 0 in each occurrence, and P, Sp are as defined above.

[0376] In these preferred compounds, P-Sp is preferably P-Sp'-X', where X' is preferably -O-, -COO- or -OCOO-.

[0377] Compounds of formula ND, their sub-formulae and suitable methods of synthesis are disclosed in WO 2008 / 119427 A1.

[0378] The amount of the compound of formula ND in the polymerizable LC material is preferably from 1 to 50%, very preferably from 1 to 40%.

[0379] In particular, the combination of one or more compounds of formula UVI and one or more compounds of formula UVII with the compound of formula ND results in a beneficial reduction of the optical dispersion and in a beneficial thermal durability of the optical dispersion and / or the retardation, compared to a polymerizable LC material that does not use this specific combination.

[0380] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC material optionally comprises one or more additives selected from further polymerization initiators, antioxidants, surfactants, stabilizers, catalysts, sensitizers, inhibitors, chain transfer agents, co-reactants, reactive viscosity reducers, surface-active compounds, lubricants, wetting agents, dispersants, water-repellent agents, adhesives, flow improvers, degassing agents or anti-foaming agents, deoxidizers, diluents, reactive diluents, auxiliaries, colorants, dyes, pigments and nanoparticles.

[0381] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC material optionally comprises one or more additives selected from polymerizable non-mesogenic compounds (reactive viscosity reducers). The amount of these additives in the polymerizable LC material is preferably from 0 to 30%, very preferably from 0 to 25%.

[0382] The reactive viscosity reducers used are not only substances actually called reactive viscosity reducers in the practical sense, but also auxiliary compounds mentioned above that contain one or more complementary reactive units or polymerizable groups P such as hydroxyl, thiol or amino groups, and through which a reaction with the polymerizable units of the liquid crystal compound can take place.

[0383] Substances that can generally be photopolymerized include, for example, mono-, di- and poly-functional compounds containing at least one olefinic double bond. Examples thereof are vinyl esters of carboxylic acids such as vinyl laurate, vinyl myristate, vinyl palmitate and vinyl stearate; and vinyl esters of dicarboxylic acids such as succinic acid and adipic acid; allyl ethers and vinyl ethers of mono-functional alcohols and methacrylates and acrylates, the mono-functional alcohols such as lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, palmityl alcohol and stearyl alcohol; and diallyl ethers and divinyl ethers of di-functional alcohols such as ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol.

[0384] Also suitable are, for example, methacrylates and acrylates of polyfunctional alcohols, especially those which contain no other functional groups apart from hydroxyl groups or at most contain ether groups. Examples of such alcohols are bifunctional alcohols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and their more highly condensed representatives such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol etc., butanediol, pentanediol, hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, alkoxylated phenolic compounds such as ethoxylated and propoxylated bisphenols, cyclohexanedimethanol, trifunctional and polyfunctional alcohols such as glycerol, trimethylolpropane, butanetriol, trimethylolethane, pentaerythritol, bis-trimethylolpropane, dipentaerythritol, sorbitol, mannitol and the corresponding alkoxylated especially ethoxylated and propoxylated alcohols.

[0385] Other suitable reactive diluents are polyester (meth)acrylates which are (meth)acrylates of polyester alcohols.

[0386] Examples of suitable polyester alcohols are those which can be prepared by the esterification of polyhydric alcohols, preferably diols, with polycarboxylic acids, preferably dicarboxylic acids. The raw materials for such hydroxyl-containing polyesters are known to those skilled in the art. Dicarboxylic acids which can be used are succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, phthalic acid and its isomers and hydrogenation products, and esterifiable and transesterifiable derivatives of said acids such as acid anhydrides and dialkyl esters. Suitable polyhydric alcohols are the above-mentioned alcohols, preferably ethylene glycol, 1,2- and 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, cyclohexanedimethanol and polyethylene glycols of the ethylene glycol and propylene glycol type.

[0387] Suitable reactive viscosity reducers also include 1,4-divinylbenzene, triallyl cyanurate, acrylate of tricyclodecenol of the following formula

[0388]

[0389] Also known as dicyclopentadienyl acrylate, and allyl esters of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and cyanoacrylic acid.

[0390] Among the reactive viscosity reducers mentioned as examples, those containing photopolymerizable groups are especially used in view of the above-mentioned preferred compositions.

[0391] Such groups include, for example, dihydric and polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and their more highly condensed representatives such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol etc., butanediol, pentanediol, hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, cyclohexanedimethanol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane, butanetriol, trimethylolethane, pentaerythritol, bis-trimethylolpropane, dipentaerythritol, sorbitol, mannitol and the corresponding alkoxylated especially ethoxylated and propoxylated alcohols.

[0392] This group also includes, for example, alkoxylated phenolic compounds, such as ethoxylated and propoxylated bisphenols.

[0393] These reactive viscosity reducers can also be (meth)acrylates of, for example, epoxy groups or urethanes.

[0394] Epoxy (meth)acrylates are, for example, those obtainable by reacting epoxidized olefins or poly- or diglycidyl ethers known to those skilled in the art, such as bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, with (meth)acrylic acid.

[0395] Urethane (meth)acrylates are in particular the reaction products of hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates, also known to those skilled in the art, with poly- or diisocyanates.

[0396] Such epoxy and urethane (meth)acrylates are included in the compounds listed above in "mixed form".

[0397] If reactive viscosity reducers are used, their amounts and properties must be matched to the respective conditions in such a way that, on the one hand, a satisfactory desired effect, such as the desired color of the composition according to the invention, is achieved, but on the other hand, the phase behavior of the liquid crystal composition is not unduly impaired. Low-crosslinked (high-crosslinked) liquid crystal compositions can be prepared, for example, using reactive diluents having a relatively low (high) number of reactive units per molecule, respectively.

[0398] The group of diluents includes, for example:

[0399] C1-C4-alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol, sec-butanol, and especially C5-C12-alcohols, n-pentanol, n-hexanol, n-heptanol, n-octanol, n-nonanol, n-decanol, n-undecanol and n-dodecanol and their isomers, diols such as 1,2-ethanediol, 1,2- and 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-, 2,3- and 1,4-butanediol, di- and triethylene glycol and di- and tripropylene glycol, ethers such as methyl tert-butyl ether, 1,2-ethanediol mono- and dimethyl ether, 1,2-ethanediol mono- and diethyl ether, 3-methoxypropanol, 3-isopropoxypropanol, tetrahydrofuran and di alkanes, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and diacetone alcohol (4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone), C1-C5-alkyl esters, such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, butyl acetate and pentyl acetate, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, such as pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, isooctane, petroleum ether, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, tetralin, decalin, dimethylnaphthalene, white spirit, and mineral oils, such as gasoline, kerosene, diesel and heating oil, and natural oils, such as olive oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, linseed oil and sunflower oil.

[0400] Mixtures of these diluents can of course also be used in the compositions according to the invention.

[0401] These diluents can also be mixed with water, provided there is at least partial miscibility. Examples of suitable diluents here are C1-C4-alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol and sec-butanol, diols such as 1,2-ethanediol, 1,2- and 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-, 2,3- and 1,4-butanediol, di- and triethylene glycol, di- and tripropylene glycol, ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and di oxane, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and diacetone alcohol (4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone), and C1-C4-alkyl esters such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate and butyl acetate.

[0402] Based on the total weight of the polymerizable LC material, the diluent is optionally used in a proportion of from about 0 to 10.0% by weight, preferably from about 0 to 5.0% by weight.

[0403] The defoamers and degassing agents (c1)), lubricants and flow aids (c2)), heat-curing or radiation-curing aids (c3)), substrate wetting aids (c4)), wetting and dispersing aids (c5)), hydrophobizing agents (c6)), adhesion promoters (c7)) and aids promoting scratch resistance (c8)) cannot be strictly delimited from one another in their action.

[0404] For example, lubricants and flow aids are generally also used as defoamers and / or degassing agents and / or as aids improving scratch resistance. Radiation-curing aids can also be used as lubricants and flow aids and / or degassing agents and / or as substrate wetting aids. In individual cases, some of these aids can also perform the function of adhesion promoters (c8)).

[0405] Corresponding to the above, it is thus possible to classify a certain additive into several of the groups c1) to c8) described below.

[0406] The defoamers in group c1) include silicon-free and silicon-containing polymers. The silicon-containing polymers are, for example, unmodified or modified polydialkylsiloxanes or branched copolymers, comb-shaped or block copolymers containing polydialkylsiloxane and polyether units, the polyether units being obtainable from ethylene oxide or propylene oxide.

[0407] The degassing agents in group c1) include, for example, organic polymers such as polyethers and polyacrylates, dialkylpolysiloxanes, in particular dimethylpolysiloxane, organically modified polysiloxanes such as aralkyl-modified polysiloxanes, and fluorosiloxanes.

[0408] The action of defoamers is basically based on preventing foam formation or preventing the destruction of already formed foam. Defoamers act by promoting the coalescence of finely divided gas or bubbles to produce larger bubbles in the medium to be degassed, such as the compositions according to the invention, thereby accelerating the escape of the gas (air). Since defoamers can usually also be used as degassing agents and vice versa, these additives are included together in group c1).

[0409] These auxiliaries are available, for example, from Tego as Foamex 800, Foamex 805, Foamex 810, Foamex 815, Foamex 825, Foamex 835, Foamex 840, Foamex 842, Foamex 1435, Foamex 1488, Foamex 1495, Foamex 3062, Foamex 7447, Foamex 8020, Foamex N, Foamex K 3, Antifoam 2-18, Antifoam 2-18, Antifoam 2-57, Antifoam 2-80, Antifoam 2-82, Antifoam 2-89, Antifoam 2-92, Antifoam 14, Antifoam 28, Antifoam 81, Antifoam D 90, Antifoam 93, Antifoam200, Antifoam 201, Antifoam 202, Antifoam 793, Antifoam 1488, Antifoam 3062, 5803, 5852, 5863, 7008, Antifoam 1-60, Antifoam 1-62, Antifoam 1-85, Antifoam 2-67, Antifoam WM 20, Antifoam 50, Antifoam 105, Antifoam 730, Antifoam MR 1015, Antifoam MR 1016, Antifoam 1435, Antifoam N, Antifoam KS 6, Antifoam KS 10, Antifoam KS 53, Antifoam KS 95, Antifoam KS 100, Antifoam KE 600, Antifoam KS 911, Antifoam MR 1000, Antifoam KS 1100, Airex 900, Airex 910, Airex 931, Airex 935, Airex936, Airex 960, Airex 970, Airex 980 and Airex 985 and from BYK as and Commercially obtained.

[0410] Based on the total weight of the polymerizable LC material, the auxiliaries in group c1) are optionally used in a proportion of about 0 to 3.0% by weight, preferably about 0 to 2.0% by weight.

[0411] In group c2), the lubricants and flow aids generally include silicon-free polymers and silicone-containing polymers, such as polyacrylates or modifiers, low molecular weight polydialkylsiloxanes. The modification involves that some alkyl groups have been replaced by various organic groups. These organic groups are, for example, polyethers, polyesters or even long-chain (fluorinated) alkyl groups, with the former being the most commonly used.

[0412] The polyether groups in the correspondingly modified polysiloxanes are generally composed of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide units. Generally, the higher the proportion of these epoxyalkylene units in the modified polysiloxane, the higher the hydrophilicity of the resulting product.

[0413] These auxiliaries can be obtained, for example, from Tego as Glide 100, Glide ZG 400, Glide 406, Glide 410, Glide 411, Glide415, Glide 420, Glide 435, Glide 440, Glide 450, Glide A 115, Glide B 1484 (can also be used as an antifoaming agent and degassing agent), Flow ATF, Flow 300, Flow 460, Flow425 and Flow ZFS 460 are commercially obtained. Suitable radiation-curable lubricants and flow aids for improving scratch resistance are the products Rad 2100, Rad 2200, Rad 2500, Rad 2600 and Rad 2700, which can also be obtained from TEGO.

[0414] These auxiliaries can also be obtained, for example, from BYK as 354, obtained.

[0415] These auxiliaries can also be obtained, for example, from 3M as obtained.

[0416] These auxiliaries can also be obtained, for example, from Cytonix as or obtained.

[0417] These auxiliaries can also be obtained, for example, from Merck KGaA as Tivida 2300 and Tivida 2500 obtained.

[0418] Based on the total weight of the polymerizable LC material, the auxiliaries in group c2) are optionally used in a proportion of about 0 to 3.0% by weight, preferably about 0 to 2.0% by weight.

[0419] In group c3), the radiation-curing auxiliaries especially include polysiloxanes having terminal double bonds, and the terminal double bonds are, for example, part of acrylate groups. These auxiliaries can be crosslinked by photochemical or, for example, electron radiation. These auxiliaries generally combine many properties. In the uncrosslinked state, they can act as defoamers, degassing agents, lubricants and flow aids and / or substrate wetting aids, while in the crosslinked state, they especially increase, for example, the scratch resistance of coatings or films that can be produced using the composition according to the invention. For example, the improvement of the gloss properties of exactly those coatings or films is basically considered to be the result of the action of these auxiliaries as defoamers, degassing agents and / or lubricants and flow aids (in the uncrosslinked state).

[0420] Examples of suitable radiation-curing auxiliaries are products obtainable from TEGO

[0421] and and products obtainable from BYK

[0422] The heat-curing auxiliaries in group c3) contain, for example, primary OH groups that can react with isocyanate groups of, for example, binders.

[0423] Examples of heat-curing auxiliaries that can be used are products obtainable from BYK and

[0424] Based on the total weight of the polymerizable LC material, the auxiliaries in group c3) are optionally used in a proportion of about 0 to 5.0% by weight, preferably about 0 to 3.0% by weight.

[0425] The substrate wetting aids in group c4) are especially used to increase the wettability of the substrate to be printed or coated, such as by a printing ink or a coating composition such as the composition of the present invention. The generally accompanying improvement in the lubricating and flow behavior of such a printing ink or coating composition has an impact on the appearance of the finished (e.g., crosslinked) printed matter or coating.

[0426] A variety of such aids are commercially available, for example, from Tego as Wet KL 245, Wet250, Wet 260 and Wet ZFS 453 and from BYK as and commercially available.

[0427] Based on the total weight of the liquid crystal composition, the aids in group c4) are optionally used in a proportion of about 0 to 3.0% by weight, preferably about 0 to 1.5% by weight.

[0428] The wetting and dispersing aids in group c5) are especially used to prevent the overflow, floating and sedimentation of pigments, and are thus (if necessary) especially suitable for coloring compositions.

[0429] These aids basically stabilize the pigment dispersion by the electrostatic repulsion and / or steric hindrance of the pigment particles containing these additives, where in the latter case, the interaction of the aids with the environmental medium (such as the binder) plays a major role.

[0430] Since the use of such wetting and dispersing aids is a common practice, for example, in the technical fields of printing inks and paints, the selection of a suitable aid of this type usually does not pose any difficulties for those skilled in the art if they are used.

[0431] Such wetting and dispersing aids are commercially available, for example, from Tego as Dispers 610, Dispers 610S, Dispers 630, Dispers 700, Dispers 705, Dispers 710, Dispers 720W, Dispers725W, Dispers 730W, Dispers 735 W and Dispers 740W and commercially available from BYK as and commercially available.

[0432] In the case of component c5), the amount of the auxiliary agent is based on the average molecular weight of the auxiliary agent. In any case, it is therefore recommended to carry out preliminary experiments, which can be done simply by a person skilled in the art.

[0433] The hydrophobizing agent in component c6) can be used to impart water repellency to, for example, printed matter or coatings prepared using the composition according to the invention. This prevents or at least greatly inhibits swelling due to water absorption and thus prevents, for example, changes in the optical properties of such printed matter or coatings. Additionally, when using the composition, for example, as a printing ink in offset printing, water absorption can thereby be prevented or at least greatly reduced.

[0434] Such hydrophobizing agents are, for example, commercially available from Tego as Phobe WF, Phobe 1000, Phobe 1000S, Phobe 1010, Phobe 1030, Phobe 1010, Phobe 1010, Phobe 1030, Phobe 1040, Phobe 1050, Phobe 1200, Phobe 1300, Phobe 1310 and Phobe 1400.

[0435] Based on the total weight of the polymerizable LC material, the auxiliary agent in component c6) is optionally used in a proportion of about 0 to 5.0% by weight, preferably about 0 to 3.0% by weight.

[0436] In addition, an adhesion promoter from group c7) is used to improve the adhesion of the two contacting interfaces. It is directly evident therefrom that essentially the only effective part of the adhesion promoter is located at one or the other or both interfaces. For example, if it is desired to apply a liquid or pasty printing ink, coating composition or paint to a solid substrate, this generally means that the adhesion promoter must be added directly to the latter or the substrate must be pretreated with the adhesion promoter (also called priming), i.e. the substrate has improved chemical and / or physical surface properties.

[0437] If the substrate has been primed beforehand, this means that the contacting interfaces are on the one hand the interface of the primer and on the other hand the interface of the printing ink or coating composition or paint. In this case, not only the adhesion properties between the substrate and the primer, but also the adhesion properties between the substrate and the printing ink or coating composition or paint play a role in the adhesion of the multi-layer structure over the entire substrate.

[0438] Substrate wetting aids already listed in group c4) can also be mentioned as adhesion promoters in a broad sense, but these generally do not have the same adhesion promoting ability.

[0439] Given the wide variety of physical and chemical properties of substrates and, for example, printing inks, coating compositions and paints used for their printing or coating, it is not surprising that there are a variety of adhesion promoter systems.

[0440] Silane-based adhesion promoters are, for example, 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-aminopropylmethyldiethoxysilane, N-aminoethyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, N-aminoethyl-3-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, N-methyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-ureidopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane and vinyltrimethoxysilane. These and other silanes are commercially available from Hüls, for example, under the trade name Commercially available.

[0441] The corresponding technical information from the manufacturers of these additives should generally be used, or this information can be obtained in a simple manner by the person skilled in the art through appropriate preliminary experiments.

[0442] However, if these additives are added as auxiliaries of group c7) to the polymerizable LC material according to the invention, their proportion is optionally equivalent to about 0 to 5.0% by weight based on the total weight of the polymerizable LC material. These concentration data are only used as a guide, since the amount and properties of the additives are determined in each case by the nature of the substrate and the printing / coating composition. For this case, the corresponding technical information is usually available from the manufacturers of these additives or can be determined in a simple manner by a person skilled in the art through corresponding preliminary experiments.

[0443] Auxiliaries for improving scratch resistance in group c8) include, for example, the above products available from Tego and

[0444] For these auxiliaries, the data on the amounts given for group c3) are equally suitable, i.e., these additives are optionally used in a proportion of about 0 to 5.0% by weight, preferably about 0 to 3.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal composition.

[0445] Other examples of light, heat and / or oxidation stabilizers that may be mentioned are as follows:

[0446] 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-(α-methylcyclohexyl)-4,6-dimethylphenol, 2,6-dioctadecyl-4-methylphenol, 2,4,6-tricyclohexylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxymethylphenol, nonylphenols with straight-chain or branched side chains, such as 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-bisdodecylthiomethyl-4-nonylphenol,

[0447] Hydroquinone and alkylated hydroquinones such as 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol, 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-amylhydrocrainone, 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,

[0448] Tocopherols such as α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol and mixtures of these compounds, and tocopherol derivatives such as tocopheryl acetate, succinate, nicotinate and polyoxyethylene succinate (“tocofersolate”),

[0449] Hydroxylated diphenyl sulfides 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,

[0450] Alkylene bisphenols, such as 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis[4-methyl-6-(α-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-ethylenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 2,2'-ethylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-isobutylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis[6-(α-methylbenzyl)-4-nonylphenol], 2,2'-methylenebis[6-(α,α-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-dodecyl-mercaptobutane, 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,

[0451] O-, N- and S-benzyl compounds, such as 3,5,3',5'-tetra-tert-butyl-4,4'-dihydroxydibenzyl ether, octadecyl-4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl mercaptoacetate, tridecyl-4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl mercaptoacetate, 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-hydroxybenzyl mercaptoacetate,

[0452] 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,

[0453] Triazine compounds, such as 2,4-bis(octylthio)-6-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanilino)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-octylthio-4,6-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanilino)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-octylthio-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-hydroxybenzyl)-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,

[0454] Benzylphosphonates, such as dimethyl 2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, diethyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, octadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, and octadecyl 5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzylphosphonate,

[0455] Acylaminophenols, such as 4-hydroxylauroylanilide, 4-hydroxystearanilide, and octyl N-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)carbamate,

[0456] Propionates and acetates, such as those 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, thiodiglycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, N,N'-bis(hydroxyethyl)oxamide, 3-thioundecanol, 3-thiopentadecanol, 2,2,4-trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, and 4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-tri Bicyclo[2.2.2]-octane,

[0457] Amine-based propionamide 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,

[0458] Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and ascorbic acid derivatives, such as palmitate, laurate, and stearate esters of ascorbic acid, as well as sulfate and phosphate esters of ascorbic acid,

[0459] 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-toluenesulfonylamino)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, mixtures of mono- and dialkylated tert-butyl / tert-octyldiphenylamines, mixtures of mono- and dialkylated nonyldiphenylamines, mixtures of mono- and dialkylated dodecyldiphenylamines, mixtures of mono- and dialkylated isopropyl / isopentyldiphenylamines, mixtures of mono- and dialkylated tert-butyldiphenylamines, 2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-4H-1,4-benzothiazine, phenothiazine, mixtures of mono- and dialkylated tert-butyl / tert-octylphenothiazines, mixtures of mono- and dialkylated tert-octylphenothiazines, 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,

[0460] Phosphines, phosphites and phosphonites, such as triphenylphosphine, triphenyl phosphite, diphenyl alkyl phosphite, phenyl dialkyl phosphite, tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite, trilauryl phosphite, tristearyl 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, diisodecoxypentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4,6-tris(tert-butylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphosphite, tristearyl sorbitol triphosphite, tetra(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) 4,4'-biphenyldiphosphite, 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,

[0461] 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'-octoxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3',5'-di-tert-amyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3,5'-bis-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole; 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, a mixture of 2,2'-methylenebis[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-6-benzotriazol-2-ylphenol]; the product obtained by completely esterifying 2-[3'-tert-butyl-5'-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)-2'-hydroxyphenyl]-2H-benzotriazole with polyethylene glycol 300;

[0462] 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, dibutyl zinc dithiocarbamate, bis(octadecyl) disulfide and pentaerythritol tetrakis(β-dodecylmercapto)propionate,

[0463] 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, cetyl 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,

[0464] Acrylates, such as ethyl-α-cyano-β,β-diphenylacrylate, isooctyl-α-cyano-β,β-diphenylacrylate, methyl-α-methoxycarbonylcinnamate, methyl-α-cyano-β-methyl-p-methoxycinnamate, butyl-α-cyano-β-methyl-p-methoxycinnamate and methyl-α-methoxycarbonyl-p-methoxycinnamate, 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-ditert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl malonate, condensation product of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine and succinic acid, condensation product of N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6-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-ethanediyl)bis(3,3,5,5-tetramethylpiperazinone), 4-benzoyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 4-stearoyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl) 2-n-butyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-ditert-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-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) succinate, condensation product of N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-morpholino-2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine, 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, condensation product of 2-chloro-4,6-bis(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]-Decen-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, mixture of 4-hexadecyloxy- and 4-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, condensation product of N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-cyclohexylamino-2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine, 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, condensation product of 7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-2-cycloundecyl-1-oxa-3,8-diaza-4-oxospiro-[4.5]decane and epichlorohydrin, condensation product of 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine with tetramethylolacetylene urea and poly(methoxypropyl-3-oxy)-[4(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl)piperidyl]-siloxane.

[0465] Oxamides such as 4,4'-dioctyloxyoxanilide, 2,2'-diethoxyoxanilide, 2,2'-dioctyloxy-5,5'-di-tert-butyloxanilide, 2,2'-didodecyloxy-5,5'-di-tert-butyloxanilide, 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyloxanilide, N,N'-bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)oxamide, 2-ethoxy-5-tert-butyl-2'-ethyloxanilide and its mixture with 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyl-5,4'-di-tert-butyloxanilide, and mixtures of ortho-, para-methoxy-substituted oxanilides, and mixtures of ortho- and para-ethoxy-substituted oxanilides,

[0466] 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-propoxyphenyl)-6-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-octylphenyl)-4,6-bis(4-methylphenyl)-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-butoxypropoxy)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.

[0467] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable liquid crystal material comprises one or more specific antioxidant additives, preferably selected from series, such as the antioxidants commercially available from Ciba, Switzerland and

[0468] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC material comprises one or more, more preferably one or two combinations of photoinitiators, such as selected from commercially available or (Ciba AG) series, especially Irgacure 127, Irgacure 184, Irgacure 369, Irgacure 651, Irgacure 817, Irgacure 907, Irgacure 1300, Irgacure, Irgacure 2022, Irgacure 2100, Irgacure 2959 or Darcure TPO, and further selected from commercially available OXE02 (Ciba AG), NCI 930, N1919T (Adeka), SPI-03 or SPI-04 (Samyang), or preferably a combination thereof, such as SPI-03 and NCI-930.

[0469] In the entire polymerizable LC material, the concentration of the (one or more) polymerization initiators is preferably 0.5 to 5%, very preferably 0.5 to 3%, and more preferably 1 to 2%.

[0470] Preferably, in addition to one or more compounds of UVI and one or more compounds of formula UVII, the polymerizable LC material further comprises,

[0471] a) one or more di- or poly-reactive polymerizable mesogenic compounds,

[0472] b) optionally one or more mono-reactive polymerizable mesogenic compounds,

[0473] c) optionally one or more antioxidant additives,

[0474] d) optionally one or more adhesion promoters,

[0475] e) optionally one or more surfactants,

[0476] f) optionally one or more mono-, di- or poly-reactive polymerizable non-mesogenic compounds,

[0477] g) optionally one or more dyes that exhibit maximum absorption at the wavelength used to initiate photopolymerization,

[0478] h) optionally one or more chain transfer agents,

[0479] i) optionally one or more stabilizers,

[0480] j) optionally one or more lubricants and flow aids, and

[0481] k) optionally one or more diluents,

[0482] l) optionally a non-polymerizable nematic component.

[0483] More preferably, the polymerizable LC material further comprises,

[0484] a) one or more compounds of formula UVI,

[0485] b) one or more compounds of formula UVII,

[0486] c) one or more, preferably two or more di-reactive polymerizable mesogenic compounds, if present, preferably in an amount of 10 to 90% by weight, very preferably 15 to 75% by weight, preferably selected from compounds of formula DRMa-1,

[0487] d) optionally one or more, preferably two or more mono-reactive polymerizable mesogenic compounds, preferably in an amount of 10 to 95% by weight, very preferably 25 to 85%, preferably selected from compounds of formula MRM-1 and / or MRM-7,

[0488] e) optionally one or more compounds of formula ND, preferably in an amount of 1 to 50% by weight, very preferably 1 to 40%,

[0489] f) optionally one or more antioxidant additives, preferably selected from esters of unsubstituted and substituted benzoic acids, especially and if present, preferably in an amount of 0.01 to 2% by weight, very preferably 0.05 to 1% by weight,

[0490] g) optionally one or more lubricants and flow aids, preferably selected from FC 4430, FluorN 561 and / or Fluor N 562, and if present, preferably in an amount of 0.1 to 5% by weight, very preferably 0.2 to 3% by weight, and

[0491] h) optionally one or more photoinitiators.

[0492] The present invention also relates to a method for preparing a polymer film, which is achieved by the following steps:

[0493] - providing a layer of polymerizable LC material as described in the context on a substrate,

[0494] - polymerizing the polymerizable components of the polymerizable LC material by photopolymerization, and

[0495] - optionally removing the polymerized LC material from the substrate and / or optionally providing it onto another substrate.

[0496] The polymerizable LC material can also be dissolved in a suitable solvent.

[0497] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC material comprises one or more solvents, preferably selected from organic solvents. The solvents are preferably selected from ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl propyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone; acetates such as methyl, ethyl or butyl acetate or methyl acetoacetate; alcohols such as methanol, ethanol or isopropanol; aromatic solvents such as toluene or xylene; alicyclic hydrocarbons such as cyclopentane or cyclohexane; halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane or trichloromethane; diols or their esters such as PGMEA (propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate), γ-butyrolactone. Binary, ternary or higher mixtures of the above solvents can also be used.

[0498] In the case where the polymerizable LC material contains one or more solvents, the total concentration of all solids (including RM) in the solvent is preferably 10 to 60%.

[0499] The solution is then coated or printed onto a substrate, for example by spin coating, printing or other known techniques, and the solvent is evaporated off before polymerization. In most cases, it is appropriate to heat the mixture to facilitate the evaporation of the solvent.

[0500] The polymerizable LC material can be applied to a substrate by conventional coating techniques such as spin coating, bar coating or knife coating. It can also be applied to a substrate by conventional printing techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as screen printing, offset printing, roll-to-roll printing, letterpress printing, gravure printing, rotogravure printing, flexographic printing, intaglio printing, pad printing, heat seal printing, inkjet printing or printing by means of a stamp or plate.

[0501] Suitable substrate materials and substrates are known to those skilled in the art and are described in the literature, such as conventional substrates used in the optical film industry, for example glass or plastic. Particularly suitable and preferred substrates for polymerization are polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polycarbonate (PC), triacetyl cellulose (TAC) or cycloolefin polymer (COP), or materials commonly known for color filters, especially triacetyl cellulose (TAC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), or materials commonly known for color filters.

[0502] The polymerizable liquid crystal material preferably has a uniform alignment throughout the layer. Preferably, the polymerizable LC material exhibits a uniform planar or uniform vertical alignment.

[0503] The Friedel-Creagh-Kmetz rule can be used to predict whether the mixture will adopt a planar or vertical alignment by comparing the surface energies of the RM layer and the substrate:

[0504] If γ RM >γ s , the reactive mesogenic compound will show a vertical alignment; if γRM <γ s , the reactive mesogenic compound will exhibit a uniform alignment.

[0505] When the surface energy of the substrate is relatively low, the intermolecular forces between the reactive mesogens are stronger than the forces across the RM-substrate interface. Therefore, the reactive mesogens align perpendicular to the substrate (homeotropic alignment) to maximize the intermolecular forces.

[0506] Homeotropic alignment can also be achieved by using amphiphilic materials; they can be added directly to the polymerizable LC material or the substrate can be treated with these materials in the form of a homeotropic alignment layer. The polar head of the amphiphilic material is chemically bonded to the substrate and the hydrocarbon tails point perpendicular to the substrate. The intermolecular interaction between the amphiphilic material and the RM promotes homeotropic alignment. Commonly used amphiphilic surfactants are described above.

[0507] Another method for promoting homeotropic alignment is to subject the plastic substrate to a corona discharge treatment to generate alcohol or ketone functional groups on the substrate surface. These polar groups can interact with the polar groups present in the RM or the surfactant to promote homeotropic alignment.

[0508] When the surface tension of the substrate is greater than that of the RM, the forces across the interface are dominant. If the reactive mesogens are aligned parallel to the substrate, the interfacial energy is minimized, and thus the long axis of the RM can interact with the substrate. One method for promoting planar alignment is to coat a polyimide layer on the substrate and then rub the alignment layer with a velvet cloth.

[0509] Other suitable planar alignment layers are known in the art, such as rubbed polyimide or alignment layers prepared by photoalignment as described in US 5,602,661, US 5,389,698 or US 6,717,644.

[0510] Generally, reviews of alignment techniques are given, for example, by I. Sage in "Thermotropic Liquid Crystals", edited by G. W. Gray, John Wiley & Sons, 1987, pages 75 - 77; and by T. Uchida and H. Seki in "Liquid Crystals - Applications and Uses Vol. 3", edited by B. Bahadur, World Scientific Publishing, Singapore 1992, pages 1 - 63. Other reviews of alignment materials and techniques are given by J. Cognard, Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst. 78, Supplement 1 (1981), pages 1 - 77.

[0511] To prepare the polymer film according to the present invention, the polymerizable compounds in the polymerizable liquid crystal material are polymerized or crosslinked (if the compound contains two or more polymerizable groups) by in-situ photopolymerization.

[0512] The photopolymerization can be carried out in one step. It is also possible to photopolymerize or crosslink the unreacted compounds in the first step in a second step ("final curing").

[0513] In a preferred preparation method, the polymerizable LC material is coated onto a substrate and subsequently photopolymerized, for example, by exposure to actinic radiation, as described, for example, in WO 01 / 20394, GB 2315072 or WO 98 / 04651.

[0514] The photopolymerization of the LC material is preferably achieved by exposing it to actinic radiation. Actinic radiation refers to irradiation with light, such as UV light, IR light or visible light, irradiation with X-rays or gamma rays, or irradiation with high-energy particles, such as ions or electrons. Preferably, the polymerization is carried out by light irradiation, especially with UV light. As a source of actinic radiation, for example, a single UV lamp or a set of UV lamps can be used. When using a high lamp power, the curing time can be reduced. Another possible source of light radiation is a laser, such as a UV laser, an IR laser, or a visible laser.

[0515] The curing time depends in particular on the reactivity of the polymerizable LC material, the thickness of the coating, the type of polymerization initiator and the power of the UV lamp. The curing time is preferably ≤ 5 minutes, very preferably ≤ 3 minutes, and most preferably ≤ 1 minute. For large-scale production, a short curing time of ≤ 30 seconds is preferred.

[0516] A suitable UV radiation power is preferably in the range of 5 to 200 mW / cm -2 more preferably in the range of 50 to 175 mW / cm -2 and most preferably in the range of 100 to 150 mW / cm -2 of the range.

[0517] Related to the applied UV radiation and as a function of time, a suitable UV dose is preferably in the range of 25 to 7200 mJ / cm -2 more preferably in the range of 500 to 7200 mJ / cm -2 and most preferably in the range of 3000 to 7200 mJ / cm -2 of the range.

[0518] The photopolymerization is preferably carried out in an inert gas atmosphere, preferably in a heated nitrogen atmosphere, but it is also possible to polymerize in air.

[0519] The photopolymerization is preferably carried out at a temperature of 1 to 70 °C, more preferably 5 to 50 °C, even more preferably 15 to 30 °C.

[0520] The polymerized LC film according to the invention has good adhesion to plastic substrates, in particular to TAC, COP and color filters. Thus, it can be used as an adhesive or a base coating for subsequent LC layers which would otherwise not adhere well to the substrate.

[0521] The preferred thickness of the polymerized LC film according to the invention is determined by the optical properties required for the film or the end product. For example, if the polymerized LC film does not mainly act as an optical layer but, for example, as an adhesive, alignment or protective layer, its thickness is preferably not more than 1 μm, in particular not more than 0.5 μm and very preferably not more than 0.2 μm.

[0522] For example, the polymer films of the invention with homogeneous homeotropic or planar alignment can be used as, for example, retardation films or compensation films in LCDs to improve the contrast and brightness at large viewing angles and to reduce chromaticity. They can be used outside the switchable liquid crystal cell in an LCD or between substrates which are usually glass substrates, forming a switchable liquid crystal cell and containing a switchable liquid crystal medium (in cell applications).

[0523] For optical applications of the polymer film, it preferably has a thickness of 0.5 to 10 μm, very preferably 0.5 to 5 μm and in particular 0.5 to 3 μm.

[0524] The optical retardation (δ(λ)) of the polymer film as a function of the wavelength (λ) of the incident light beam is given by the following equation (7):

[0525] δ(λ) = (2πΔn·d) / λ (7)

[0526] where (Δn) is the birefringence of the film, (d) is the thickness of the film and λ is the wavelength of the incident light beam.

[0527] According to Snellius' law, the birefringence is defined as a function of the direction of the incident light beam as

[0528] Δn = sinθ / sinΨ (8)

[0529] where sinθ is the angle of incidence or the tilt angle of the optical axis in the film and sinΨ is the corresponding angle of reflection.

[0530] Based on these laws, the birefringence and the corresponding optical retardation depend on the thickness of the film and the tilt angle of the optical axis in the film (see Berek's compensator). Thus, those skilled in the art know that different optical retardations or different birefringences can be induced by adjusting the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the polymer film.

[0531] The birefringence (Δn) of the polymer film according to the invention is preferably in the range from 0.01 to 0.30, more preferably in the range from 0.01 to 0.25, and even more preferably in the range from 0.01 to 0.16.

[0532] The optical retardation as a function of the thickness of the polymer film according to the invention is less than 200 nm, preferably less than 180 nm, and even more preferably less than 150 nm.

[0533] The polymer films of the invention can also be used as alignment films for other liquid crystal or RM materials. For example, they can be used in LCDs to induce or improve the alignment of switchable liquid crystal media, or for the alignment of subsequent layers of polymerizable LC materials coated thereon. In this way, stacks of LC films can be prepared.

[0534] In summary, the polymerized LC films and polymerizable LC materials according to the invention can be used for optical elements such as polarizers, compensators, alignment layers, circular polarizers or color filters in liquid crystal displays or projection systems, decorative images, for the preparation of liquid crystal or effect pigments, especially reflective films with spatially varying reflected colors, such as multicolor images for decorative, information storage or security purposes, such as non-counterfeitable documents like identity cards or credit cards, banknotes, etc.

[0535] The polymerized LC films according to the invention can be used for transmissive or reflective displays. They can be used in conventional OLED displays or LCDs, especially LCDs in DAP (deformation of the alignment phase) or VA (vertical alignment) modes, such as ECB (electrically controlled birefringence), CSH (color super-vertical alignment), VAN or VAC (vertically aligned nematic or cholesteric) displays, MVA (multi-domain vertical alignment) or PVA (patterned vertical alignment) displays, in displays in the bending mode or hybrid displays, such as OCB (optically compensated bend cell or optically compensated birefringence), R-OCB (reflective OCB), HAN (hybrid aligned nematic) or pi-cell (π-cell) displays, in addition in TN (twisted nematic), HTN (high twisted nematic) or STN (super twisted nematic) mode displays, AMD-TN (active matrix driven TN) displays or IPS (in-plane switching) mode displays, also known as "super TFT" displays. Particularly preferred are VA, MVA, PVA, OCB and pi-cell displays.

[0536] The polymerizable LC materials and polymer films according to the invention are described in, for example, EP 0 829 744, EP 0 887 666 A2, EP0 887 692, US 6,046,849, US 6,437,915 and in "Proceedings o the SID 20 thIt is particularly useful in the 3D display described on page 280 of the "International Display Research Conference, 2000". Another object of the present invention is a 3D display of this type containing a polymer film according to the present invention.

[0537] The present invention has been described in the context with particular reference to preferred embodiments. It should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0538] Many of the compounds or their mixtures mentioned in the context are commercially available. All of these compounds are known or can be prepared by methods known per se, as described in the literature (for example in standard works such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der Organischen Chemie [Methods of Organic Chemistry], Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart), specifically, under reaction conditions that are known and suitable for the said reaction. Variants known per se can also be used here, but are not mentioned further here.

[0539] It should be understood that variations can be made to the foregoing embodiments of the present invention while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Unless otherwise stated, alternative features for the same, equivalent or similar purposes can replace each feature disclosed in this specification. Thus, unless otherwise stated, each feature disclosed is only an example of a series of equivalent or similar features.

[0540] All features disclosed in this specification can be combined in any combination, except combinations in which at least some of these features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. In particular, the preferred features of the present invention apply to all aspects of the present invention and can be used in any combination. Similarly, the features described in non-essential combinations can be used alone (not in combination).

[0541] It should be understood that many of the features described above, especially the features of the preferred embodiments, are inventive in themselves and not just as part of an embodiment of the present invention. Independent protection for these features can be sought in addition to or in place of any invention currently claimed.

[0542] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following working examples, which are merely exemplary and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Detailed Description

[0543] Examples

[0544] General procedure

[0545] Dissolve the mixture in toluene / cyclohexanone (7 / 3) to a solids content of 30%. Rod coat this solution onto a frosted glass substrate coated with rubbed PI using a Meyer Bar #7. Anneal the film at 60 °C for 120 seconds and cure it using a Fusion conveyor H Bulb (80% power, 10 m / min. - 300 mJ / cm 2 , UV B).

[0546] Laminate the film onto a pressure - sensitive adhesive, leaving an open surface such that the entire film stack is glass / polymer film / pressure - sensitive adhesive, and conduct a durability experiment on the film.

[0547] To measure the differences in the retardation rate and dispersion of the cured film related to thermal stress, use an Axoscan ellipsometer to determine the initial retardation rate and dispersion. Then pressurize the film at 63 °C with a Suntest XLS+ (430 W / m 2 ) for up to 250 hours. After testing, determine the retardation curve and dispersion again. Durability is quantified by the differences in the retardation rate (ΔR in ) and / or dispersion (R 450 / 550 ) before and after the UV test.

[0548] Compounds of formulae UVI and UVII used

[0549]

[0550] Example 1

[0551] Prepare the following mixtures according to the table below:

[0552]

[0553]

[0554]

[0555]

[0556] Dissolve, coat, and cure each mixture as described above, and determine the retardation rate before and after the stress test.

[0557] Host mixture <![CDATA[ΔR in [%]]]> RMM-1 (reference) 4.2 RMM-2 (reference) 3.8 RMM-3 (the present invention) 2.7

Claims

1. A polymerizable LC material comprising at least one di- or poly-reactive mesogenic compound and one or more compounds of formula UVI, wherein R 11 Each occurrence independently represents H, F, or a straight-chain or branched alkyl chain having 1 - 20 C atoms, where one -CH2- group or, if present, multiple -CH2- groups can be replaced by -O- or -C(=O)-, provided that no two adjacent -CH2- groups are replaced by -O-, and one or, if present, multiple -CH2- groups can be replaced by -CH=CH- or -C≡C-, and where one H atom or multiple H atoms can be replaced by F, OR 13 , N(R 13 )(R 14 ) or R 15 . R 12 Each occurrence independently represents a straight-chain or branched alkyl chain having 1 to 20 C atoms, wherein one -CH2- group or more -CH2- groups may be replaced by -O- or -C(=O)-, provided that no two adjacent -CH2- groups are replaced by -O-, a hydrocarbyl group containing a cycloalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl unit, and wherein one -CH2- group or more -CH2- groups may be replaced by -O- or -C(=O)-, provided that no two adjacent -CH2- groups are replaced by -O-, and wherein one H atom or more H atoms may be replaced by OR 13 , N(R 13 )(R 14 ) or R 15 ; or an aromatic hydrocarbyl or heteroaromatic hydrocarbyl group, wherein one H atom or more H atoms may be replaced by F, OR 13 , N(R 13 )(R 14 ) or R 15 . R 13 Each occurrence independently represents a straight-chain or branched alkyl or acyl group having 1 to 10 C atoms, or an aromatic hydrocarbon or carboxylic acid group having 6 to 12 C atoms, R 14 Each occurrence independently represents a straight-chain or branched alkyl or acyl group having 1 to 10 C atoms, or an aromatic hydrocarbon or carboxylic acid group having 6 to 12 C atoms. R 15 Each occurrence independently represents a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, where one or more -CH2- groups may be replaced by -O- or -C(=O)-, provided that no two adjacent -CH2- groups are replaced by -O-. S 11 and S 12 each independently represents, each time it appears, an alkylene group having 1 to 20 C atoms, which may be branched or straight-chain, where one -CH2- group or, if present, a plurality of -CH2- groups may be replaced by -O- or -C(=O)-, provided that no two adjacent -CH2- groups are replaced by -O-, and one or, if present, a plurality of -CH2- groups may be replaced by -CH=CH- or -C≡C- and where one H atom or a plurality of H atoms may be replaced by F, OR 13 , N(R 13 )(R 14 ), or R 15 ; or represents a single bond X 11 represents C, Y 11 to Y 14 each independently represents methyl or ethyl, Z 11 to Z 14 each independently represents, each time it appears, -O-, -(C=O)-, -O-(C=O)-, -(C=O)-O-, -O-(C=O)-O-, -(N-R 13 )-, -N-R 13 -(C=O)- or a single bond, if S 11 is a single bond, but Z 11 and Z 12 do not both represent -O- at the same time, and however, if S 12 is a single bond Z 13 and Z 14 do not both represent -O- at the same time, and however, if -X 11 [-R 11 o - is a single bond Z 12 and Z 13 do not both represent -O-​ p represents 1 or 2, o represents (3 - p), n*p represents an integer from 3 to 10, in the case where p = 1, m represents (10 - n), and, in the case where p = 2, n represents an integer from 2 to 4, and m represents (4 - n), represents an organic group having (m + n) binding sites, And in the case of p = 1, -X 11 [-R 11 o - Alternatively, it may also represent a single bond, and​ one or more compounds of formula UVII, wherein each group has the following meanings: R 1 to R 5 each independently represents a group selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, -OH, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, and -SO3H, and R 6 and R 7 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a halogen atom; further comprising one or more compounds of formula ND, wherein U 1,2 each independently selected from including their mirror images, wherein ring U 1 and U 2 are each bonded via an axial bond to a -(B) q - group, and one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups in these rings are optionally replaced by O and / or S, and ring U 1 and U 2 are optionally substituted by one or more groups L L, each time it appears, is the same as or different from one of the meanings given for L in DRM 1 as given Q 1,2 each independently is CH or SiH, Q 3 is C or Si, B, each occurrence of which is independently of the others, is -C≡C-, -CY 1 =CY 2 - or an optionally substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group, Y 1,2 Each independently is H, F, Cl, CN or R 0 , q is an integer from 1 to 10, A 1-4 Each independently selected from non-aromatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups, which are optionally substituted by one or more groups R 5 substituted, and wherein -(A 1 -Z 1 ) m -U 1 -(Z 2 -A 2 ) n - and -(A 3 -Z 3 ) o -U 2 -(Z 4 -A 4 ) p - each contain no more aromatic groups than non-aromatic groups, Z 1-4 Each independently is -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -O-COO-, -CO-NR 0 -,-NR 0 -CO-,-NR 0 -CO-NR 00 -,-OCH2-,-CH2O-,-SCH2-,-CH2S-,-CF2O-,-OCF2-,-CF2S-,-SCF2-,-CH2CH2-,-(CH2)3-,-(CH2)4-,-CF2CH2-,-CH2CF2-,-CF2CF2-,-CH=CH-,-CY 1 =CY 2 -,-CH=N-,-N=CH-,-N=N-,-CH=CR 0 -,-C≡C-,-CH=CH-COO-,-OCO-CH=CH-,CR 0 R 00 or a single bond, R 0 and R 00 each independently is H or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 C atoms m and n are independently of each other 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, o and p are independently of each other 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, R 1-5 Each independently the same or different and is a group selected from: H, halogen, -CN, -NC, -NCO, -NCS, -OCN, -SCN, -C(=O)NR 0 R 00 , -C(=O)X 0 , -C(=O)R 0 , -NH2, -NR 0 R 00 , -SH, -SR 0 , -SO3H, -SO2R 0 , -OH, -NO2, -CF3, -SF5, P-Sp-, an optionally substituted silyl group, or an optionally substituted and optionally containing one or more heteroatoms carbon-based or hydrocarbon group having 1 to 40 carbon atoms, or represents P or P-Sp-, or is substituted by P or P-Sp-, wherein the compound comprises at least one R representing P or P-Sp- or substituted by P or P-Sp- 1-5 group P is a polymerizable group, Sp is a spacer group or a single bond.

2. The polymerizable LC material according to claim 1, wherein the compound of formula UVI is selected from the following sub-formulas:

3. The polymerizable LC material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the compound of formula UVII is a compound selected from the following sub-formulas:

4. The polymerizable LC material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one di- or poly-reactive mesogenic compound is selected from formula DRM P 1 -Sp 1 -MG-Sp 2 -P 2 DRM wherein, P 1 and P 2 each independently represents a polymerizable group, Sp 1 and Sp 2 are each independently a spacer group or a single bond, and MG is selected from formula MG -(A 1 -Z 1 ) n -A 2 -MG wherein A 1 and A 2 each independently represent, in the case of multiple occurrences, an aromatic group or an alicyclic group, which optionally contains one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O and S, and is optionally mono- or polysubstituted by L 1 mono- or polysubstituted, L 1 is P-Sp-, F, Cl, Br, I, -CN, -NO2, -NCO, -NCS, -OCN, -SCN, -C(=O)NR 00 R 000 , -C(=O)OR 00 , -C(=O)R 00 , -NR 00 R 000 , -OH, -SF5, an optionally substituted silyl group, an aryl or heteroaryl group having 1 to 12 C atoms, and a straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy group having 1 to 12 C atoms, where one or more H atoms are optionally replaced by F or Cl, R 00 and R 000 each independently represents H or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 C atoms, Z 1 In the case of multiple occurrences, independently of each other, represent -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -S-CO-, -CO-S-, -O-COO-, -CO-NR 00 -, -NR 00 -CO-, -NR 00 -CO-NR 000 -, -NR 00 -CO-O-, -O-CO-NR 00 -, -OCH2-, -CH2O-, -SCH2-, -CH2S-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CF2S-, -SCF2-, -CH2CH2-, -(CH2) n1 -, -CF2CH2-, -CH2CF2-, -CF2CF2-, -CH=N-, -N=CH-, -N=N-, -CH=CR 00 -, -CY 1 =CY 2 -, -C≡C-, -CH=CH-COO-, -OCO-CH=CH- or a single bond, Y 1 and Y 2 each independently represents H, F, Cl or CN, n is 1, 2, 3 or 4, and n1 is an integer from 1 to 10.

5. The polymerizable LC material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one di-reactive mesogenic compound is selected from the following sub-formulas, wherein P 0 are, in the case of multiple occurrences, independently of one another acryloyl, methacryloyl, oxetanyl, epoxy, vinyl, heptadienyl, vinyloxy, allyl ether or styryl, L, each time it appears, independently has one of the meanings given for L in formula DRM 1 as given r is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, x and y are independently of each other 0 or the same or different integers from 1 to 12, z is independently 0 or 1, and if adjacent x or y is 0, then z is 0.

6. The polymerizable LC material according to claim 1 or 2, which comprises at least one mono-reactive mesogenic compound selected from formula MRM P 1 -Sp 1 -MG-R MRM where P 1 , Sp 1 and Mg have the meanings given in DRM, R is F, Cl, Br, I, -CN, -NO2, -NCO, -NCS, -OCN, -SCN, -C(=O)NR x R y , -C(=O)X, -C(=O)OR x , -C(=O)R y , -NR x R y , -OH, -SF5, an optionally substituted silyl group, a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 12 C atoms, an alkoxy group, an alkylcarbonyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group or an alkoxycarbonyloxy group, where one or more H atoms are optionally replaced by F or Cl X is F or Cl, and R x and R y are each independently H or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 C atoms.

7. The polymerizable LC material according to claim 6, wherein at least one mono-reactive mesogenic compound is selected from the following formula where P 0 , L, r, x, y and z are as defined in claim 5, R 0 is an alkyl, alkoxy, thioalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy group having 1 to 15 C atoms, or represents Y 0 , Y 0 is F, Cl, CN, NO2, OCH3, OCN, SCN, SF5, or a mono-, lower- or poly-fluorinated alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 4 C atoms, R 01 and R 02 is H, an alkyl group having 1 to 15 C atoms, an alkoxy group, a thioalkyl group, an alkylcarbonyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group or an alkoxycarbonyloxy group, or represents Y 0 , Z 0 is -COO-, -OCO-, -CH2CH2-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -CH=CH-COO- or a single bond, A 0 is, in the case of multiple occurrences, independently of one another, an unsubstituted or 1, 2, 3 or 4-fold L-substituted 1, 4-phenylene or trans-1, 4-cyclohexylene, u and v are independently of each other 0, 1 or 2, w is 0 or 1, and wherein the benzene ring and the naphthalene ring may be further substituted by one or more identical or different groups L.

8. The polymerizable LC material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the proportion of the di- or poly-reactive polymerizable mesogenic compound is in the range of 5 to 99% by weight.

9. The polymerizable LC material according to claim 6, wherein the proportion of the mono-reactive polymerizable mesogenic compound is in the range of 5 to 80% by weight.

10. The polymerizable LC material according to claim 1 or 2, comprising optionally one or more additives selected from surfactants, stabilizers, catalysts, sensitizers, inhibitors, chain transfer agents, co-reaction monomers, reactive viscosity reducers, lubricants, wetting agents, dispersants, water repellents, adhesives, flow improvers, degassing agents or defoaming agents, diluents, auxiliaries, colorants and nanoparticles.

11. A method for preparing the polymerizable LC material according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the step of mixing one or more compounds of formula UVI with at least one di- or poly-reactive mesogenic compound.

12. A method for preparing a polymer film, by - providing a layer of a polymerizable LC material according to any one of claims 1 to 10 on a substrate, - photopolymerizing the polymerizable LC material, and - optionally removing the polymerized LC material from the substrate and / or optionally providing it on another substrate.

13. A polymer film obtainable by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 from a polymerizable LC material, the method comprising the steps of - providing a layer of the polymerizable LC material on a substrate, - photopolymerizing the LC material, and - optionally removing the polymerized LC material from the substrate and / or optionally providing it on another substrate.

14. The polymer film according to claim 13, wherein The LC material is homogeneously aligned.

15. Use of a polymer film according to claim 13 or 14 or a polymerizable LC material according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in an optical component or an optical device.

16. An optical component or device comprising at least one polymer film according to claim 13 or 14 or a polymerizable LC material according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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