Polymerizable liquid crystal medium and polymerized liquid crystal film

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical assembly exhibiting a reverse or negative light dispersion profile comprising two or more liquid crystal polymer films wherein a first polymer film utilized exhibits a uniform planar alignment of polymerized LC molecules and a second polymer film adjacent to the first polymer film exhibits a cholesteric alignment of polymerized LC molecules, the polymerized LC molecules have a 1 / 4 pitch rotation through the film thickness of the second polymer film. The invention further relates to a method for the production thereof. These optical assemblies may be used for purposes such as adjusting optical characteristics of liquid crystal displays (LCDs), improving light utilization efficiency, or ensuring anti-reflection and visibility in organic light emitting devices (OLEDs), or even for AV / VR applications. The invention therefore further relates to the use of such an optical assembly for optical, electro-optical, decorative or security applications and to the corresponding device itself.

Description

[0001] Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an optical component comprising two or more liquid crystal polymer films exhibiting an inverse or negative optical dispersion profile, wherein a first polymer film utilized exhibits a homogeneous planar alignment of polymerized LC molecules and a second polymer film adjacent to the first polymer film exhibits a cholesteric alignment of polymerized LC molecules, the polymerized LC molecules having a 1 / 4 pitch rotation through the film thickness of the second polymer film. In addition, the present invention also relates to a method for its preparation. These optical components can be used for purposes such as adjusting the optical properties of a liquid crystal display (LCD), improving light utilization efficiency or ensuring antireflectivity and visibility in an organic light emitting device (OLED), or even for AV / VR applications. Accordingly, the present invention further relates to the use of such optical components for optical, electro-optical, decorative or security applications, and to the corresponding devices themselves.

[0003] Background and Prior Art

[0004] OLED displays are constructed with a metal cathode which has a high reflectivity and acts like a mirror. It is important that the viewer only sees the light emitted by the OLED and not the incident light reflected by the display. To achieve this, an antireflection layer or antireflection stack is required in the display.

[0005] Circular polarizers are commonly used to optically isolate the incident light and remove reflections. A circular polarizer consists of a linear polarizer combined with a quarter wave retarder. To prevent any reflected light from leaving the system, the quarter wave plate (QWP) must have an optical retardation exactly matching one quarter of the incident light wavelength. Ideally, the QWP should be achromatic, whereby it functions equally well for all visible wavelengths. In this regard, the ambient contrast ratio (ACR) is an important figure of merit for OLED devices that may need to be viewed in bright daylight.

[0006] Standard quarter wave plate materials have positive dispersion characteristics, i.e., the birefringence decreases as the wavelength increases. These positive dispersion QWP films only have good antireflection performance at a single wavelength (usually 550 nm). Higher end QWP films have negative dispersion (ND) characteristics, i.e., the birefringence increases as the wavelength increases. Negative dispersion films generally exhibit a quarter wave retardation over a wider wavelength range than positive dispersion films, which results in achromatic antireflection performance.

[0007] Standard transparent materials have positive optical dispersion, with the refractive index decreasing as the wavelength increases. An RM film with standard optical dispersion produces a QWP that converts linearly polarized input light into perfectly circularly polarized light, and vice versa, for only a single wavelength. All other wavelengths will be converted into a non-ideal elliptically polarized state, and a portion of this light will not be absorbed by the polarizer after reflection but will be transmitted to the viewer. This results in poor anti-reflection and the screen may appear purple rather than black.

[0008] To produce an achromatic QWP, the retarder must have reverse (also known as negative) optical dispersion, i.e., the refractive index increases as the wavelength increases.

[0009] One way to produce a reverse optical dispersion QWP is to combine a half-wave plate (HWP) with positive optical dispersion and a QWP with positive optical dispersion. These two retarders must be laminated together with their director vectors perpendicular to each other. The problem with this solution is that the process cost is increased due to the need to coat two separate films and then laminate them together. There is also a decrease in yield due to the lamination splitting process.

[0010] Optical films suitable for this purpose are typically based on polymerizable liquid crystal materials and thus generally exhibit wavelength-dependent retardation. In this regard, three main types of known optical properties are:

[0011] i) "Normal" or "positive" optical dispersion, as described, for example, in EP 0 940 707 B1

[0012] ii) "Reverse" or "negative" optical dispersion, as described, for example, in WO 2016 / 020035 A1, and

[0013] iii) "Planar" optical dispersion, as described, for example, in WO 2009 / 058396 A1.

[0014] For example, planar or negative dispersion polymerizable liquid crystal materials can be made by adding at least one component having an extraordinary refractive index (n e ) higher than the ordinary refractive index (n o ) to the formulation. Thus, highly conjugated substituents are required in orthogonal positions relative to the long axis of the molecule. When curing the optical film, the latter materials absorb part of the UV dose, which results in poor curing and poor heat resistance of the cured film. In addition, the latter molecular blocks are prone to oxidation at high temperatures in the presence of oxygen. The above applies to highly birefringent formulations containing highly conjugated reactive mesogens, which reduce the heat resistance of the cured film and which generally tend to turn yellow easily.

[0015] For example, WO 2008 / 119427 A1 describes a birefringent polymer film with negative optical dispersion, which can be obtained from a polymerizable LC medium containing a compound having an H shape as a negative dispersion component.

[0016] Suitable materials having a T-shape and corresponding birefringent polymer films having negative optical dispersion are disclosed, for example, in US2015175564, WO 17079867 A1, WO16104317 A, US 2015277007A1 or WO 16171041 A1, and particularly include: compounds represented by Formulas 1 to 5 of US2015175564A1; compounds represented by Formulas (I-1) to (I-5), (I-8), (I-14), (I-16) to (I-36), (I-41), (I-54) to (I-65), (I-75) to (I-80), (I-82), (I-83), (I-86) to (I-97), and (I-121) to (I-125) of WO 17 / 079867A1; compounds represented by Formulas (A12-16) to (A12-18), (A14-1) to (A14-3), and (A141-1) to (A143-2) of WO 16104317 A1; compounds represented by Formulas (2-A) to (2-D), (3-A) to (3-D), (4-A) to (4-D), (5-A) to (5-D), (7-A) to (7-D), (8-A) to (8-D), (9-A) to (9-D), (11-B) to (11-D), (12-b) to (12-D), (13-B) to (13-D), (22-B) to (22-D), (25-B) to (25-D), (40-A) to (40-D), (41-A) to (41-D), (42-A) to (42-D), (43-A) to (43-D), (44-A) to (44-D), (50-A) to (50-D), (52-A) to (52-D), (54-A) to (54-D), (55-A) to (55-D), or (56-A) to (56-D) of US2015 / 0277007A1; compounds represented by Formulas (A) to (E) of WO 16171041 A1.

[0017] However, the bulky nature of the negative dispersion compounds according to the prior art is generally difficult to align or results in a narrow annealing temperature process window for the formulation, which is not convenient for mass production. In addition, the polymer films are usually thin and have poor heat resistance. However, the main drawback is that due to the increased number of synthesis steps, the synthesis cost of T-shaped and H-shaped materials is much higher than that of standard LC molecules. A cheaper alternative to typical reverse dispersion films would gain competitiveness in a broader market, especially in OLED TVs.

[0018] Ravi K. Komanduri, Christopher F. Lawler, and Michael J. Escuti (January 14, 2013 / Vol. 21, No. 1 / OPTICS EXPRESS 404) disclose a multi-twist retarder (MTR), which is a liquid crystal polymer film with chiral additives for achieving desired optical properties within a range of bandwidths. By using different combinations (1 to 3 layers) of different chiralities (RHS, LHS, none), achromatic retarders with different efficiencies can be produced. Other methods for the above-defined technical problems are disclosed, for example, in US2013-286479 A, US 2010-225876A, US2010-225856 A, US2010-110362 A, US2008-158490A, US2004-032677A, JP 2002-062540 A1, US 6,693,746 B, US2003-202137A, US 6,480,251 B, and US 6,061,108 B.

[0019] In particular, US 9,298,041 B discloses a multi-layer twisted retarder configuration including two or three twisted layers configured to provide broadband retardation for a wide field of view, for example, by changing the number of layers, the twist angle of each layer, and / or the thickness.

[0020] However, there is still a need for new and preferably improved optical components that do not exhibit the deficiencies of prior art materials, or if they do, only to a lesser extent.

[0021] Other objects of the present invention will be immediately apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.

[0022] Surprisingly, the inventors of the present invention have found that one or more of the above requirements, preferably all, can be preferably achieved simultaneously by using a polymerizable LC medium as claimed in claim 1. Summary of the Invention

[0024] The present invention relates to an optical component comprising two or more liquid crystal polymer films exhibiting a reverse or negative optical dispersion curve, wherein the first polymer film utilized exhibits a homogeneous planar alignment of polymerized LC molecules and a second polymer film adjacent to the first polymer film exhibits a cholesteric alignment of polymerized LC molecules, the polymerized LC molecules having a 1 / 4 pitch rotation through the film thickness of the second polymer film.

[0025] The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing an optical component as described above and below.

[0026] The present invention particularly relates to the use of the optical component as described above and below in an optical, electronic or electro-optical device.

[0027] The present invention further relates to an optical, electronic or electro-optical component or device itself, which comprises the optical component as described above and below.

[0028] The device includes but is not limited to electro-optical displays such as OLEDs and LCDs, non-linear optical (NLO) devices, optical information storage devices, electronic devices, electroluminescent displays, organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices, light-emitting devices, sensor devices, electrophotographic recording devices, organic memory devices or devices for AR / VR applications.

[0029] Terms and Definitions

[0030] As used herein, the term "polymer" will be understood to refer to a molecule having a backbone comprising one or more different types of repeating units (the smallest building blocks of a molecule), and it includes the well-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 such residues are understood not to be covalently incorporated therein. Furthermore, such residues and other elements, although typically removed during the purification process after polymerization, are usually mixed or admixed with the polymer such that they are typically retained in the polymer when the polymer is transferred between containers or between solvents or dispersion media.

[0031] The term "(meth)acrylic polymer" as used in the present invention includes polymers obtained from acrylic monomers, polymers obtainable from methacrylic monomers, and the corresponding copolymers obtainable from mixtures of such monomers.

[0032] The term "polymerization" refers to a chemical method of bonding together a plurality of polymerizable groups or polymer precursors (polymerizable compounds) containing such polymerizable groups to form a polymer.

[0033] The term "film" or "layer" includes rigid or flexible, self-supporting or free-standing films having mechanical stability, as well as coatings or layers on a support substrate or between two substrates.

[0034] The term "liquid crystal compound or mesogenic compound" means a compound containing one or more rod-like (rod-shaped or plate / lamellar) or discotic (disc-shaped) mesogenic groups. The term "mesogenic group" means a group having the ability to induce liquid crystal (LC) phase characteristics. A compound containing a mesogenic group does not necessarily exhibit an LC phase itself. It may also show LC phase characteristics only in a mixture with other compounds, or when the mesogenic compound or material or its mixture is polymerized. For the sake of brevity, the term "liquid crystal" is used hereinafter for both mesogenic materials and LC materials. For an overview of the definitions, see C. Tschierske, G. Pelzl and S. Diele, Angew. Chem. 2004, 116, 6340 - 6368.

[0035] Rod-like mesogenic groups generally comprise a mesogenic core consisting of one or more aromatic or non-aromatic cyclic groups directly linked to each other or via a linking group, optionally comprising end groups attached to the ends of the mesogenic core, and optionally comprising one or more side groups attached to the long sides of the mesogenic core, where these end groups and side groups are typically selected from, for example, carbyl or hydrocarbon groups, polar groups (such as halogen, nitro, hydroxy, etc.) or polymerizable groups.

[0036] The term "reactive mesogen" (RM) means a polymerizable mesogenic compound or liquid crystal compound.

[0037] A polymerizable compound having one polymerizable group is also called a "monoreactive" compound, a compound having two polymerizable groups is also called a "di-reactive" compound, and a compound having more than two polymerizable groups is also called a "multi-reactive" compound. A compound not containing a polymerizable group is also called a "non-reactive" compound.

[0038] The term "non-mesogenic compound or material" refers to a compound or material that does not contain a mesogenic group as defined above.

[0039] 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.

[0040] According to the present application, the term "linearly polarized light" means light that is at least partially linearly polarized. Preferably, the alignment light is linearly polarized with a degree of polarization greater than 5:1. Depending on the photosensitivity of the light-aligning material, the wavelength, intensity and energy of the linearly polarized light are selected. Typically, the wavelength is in the UV-A, UV-B and / or UV-C range or in the visible light range. Preferably, the linearly polarized light comprises light having a wavelength less than 450 nm, more preferably less than 420 nm, while the linearly polarized light preferably comprises light having a wavelength longer than 280 nm, preferably more than 320 nm, more preferably more than 350 nm.

[0041] Irradiance (E e ) or radiant power is defined as the power of electromagnetic radiation (dθ) per unit area (dA) incident on a surface:

[0042] E e = dθ / dA.

[0043] Radiation exposure or radiation dose (H e ) is the irradiance or radiant power (E e ) per unit time (t):

[0044] H e = E e ·t.

[0045] All temperatures, such as the melting points T(C,N) or T(C,S) of liquid crystals, the transition T(S,N) from the smectic (S) to the nematic (N) phase, and the clearing point T(N,I), are given in degrees Celsius. All temperature differences are given in degrees of difference.

[0046] The term "clearing point" refers to the temperature at which the transition between the mesophase with the highest temperature range and the isotropic phase occurs.

[0047] At the molecular level, the birefringence of liquid crystals depends on the anisotropy of the polarizability (Δα = α || - α ┴ ). "Polarizability" means the ease with which the electron distribution in an atom or molecule can be deformed. Polarizability increases with the number of electrons and the degree of diffusion of the electron cloud. Polarizability can be calculated using, for example, the method described in Jap. J. Appl. Phys. 42, (2003) p. 3463.

[0048] The "optical retardation" of a layer of liquid crystal or birefringent material at a given wavelength R(λ) (in nm) is defined as the product of the birefringence Δn(λ) at that wavelength and the layer thickness d (in nm) according to the following equation

[0049] R(λ) = Δn(λ) . d

[0050] The optical retardation R represents the difference in the optical path lengths in nanometers traveled by the S-polarized and P-polarized light simultaneously passing through the birefringent material. "Coaxial" retardation means the retardation at a positive angle of incidence with respect to the sample surface.

[0051] The term "negative (optical) dispersion" refers to a birefringent or liquid crystal material or layer that exhibits reverse birefringent 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, e.g., 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). "Planar (optical) dispersion" means a material or layer having |Δn(450)| > |Δn(550)| or Δn(450) / Δn(550) ≈ 1.

[0052] Since the optical retardation at a given wavelength is defined as the product of the birefringence and the layer thickness as described above [R(λ) = Δn(λ)·d], optical dispersion can be expressed as "birefringence dispersion" by the ratio Δn(450) / Δn(550), or as "retardation dispersion" by the ratio R(450) / R(550), where R(450) and R(550) are the retardations 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 having negative or reverse dispersion has R(450) / R(550) < 1 or |R(450)| < |R(550)|, a material or layer having positive or normal dispersion has R(450) / R(550) > 1 or |R(450)| > |R(550)|, and a material or layer having planar dispersion has R(450) / R(550) ≈ 1 or |R(450)| ≈ |R(550)|.

[0053] In the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "optical dispersion" refers to retardation dispersion, i.e., the ratio R(450) / R(550).

[0054] 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, for example, "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.

[0055] The retardation (R(λ)) of a material can be measured using a spectroscopic ellipsometer, such as the M2000 spectroscopic ellipsometer from J.A. Woollam Co. This instrument can measure the optical retardation in nanometers of a birefringent sample (such as quartz) typically in the wavelength range of 370 nm to 2000 nm. The dispersion of the material (R(450) / R(550) or △n(450) / △n(550)) can be calculated from this data.

[0056] The method for making these measurements was presented by N. Singh in October 2006 at the National Physical Laboratory (London, UK) and is titled "Spectroscopic Ellipsometry, Part 1 - Theory and Fundamentals, Part 2 - Practical Examples and Part 3 - Measurements". According to the test procedures described in the Retardation Measurement (RetMeas) Manual (2002) published by J.A. Woollam Co. (Lincoln, Nebraska, USA) and the WVASE (Woollam Variable Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometer) Guide (2002). Unless otherwise stated, this method is used to determine the retardation of the materials, films, and devices described in the present invention.

[0057] The birefringence △n is defined as follows

[0058] △n = n e - n o

[0059] where n e is the extraordinary refractive index and n o is the ordinary refractive index, and the effective average refractive index n av. is given by the following equation:

[0060] n av. = ((2n o 2 + n e 2 ) / 3) 1 / 2

[0061] The average refractive index n av. and the ordinary refractive index n oIt can be measured using an Abbe refractometer. Then, Δn can be calculated from the above equation.

[0062] The polymerizable LC medium according to the invention can be prepared, for example, by doping the medium with a chiral compound having a high twisting power. Subsequently, the pitch p of the induced cholesteric helix is given by the concentration c of the chiral compound and the helical twisting power HTP according to the following equation:

[0063] p = (HTP c) -1

[0064] The total HTP (HTP 总 ) of chiral compounds having the same configuration approximately satisfies the following equation:

[0065] HTP 总 = ∑ i c i HTP i

[0066] where c i is the concentration of each individual chiral compound and HTP i is the helical twisting power of each individual chiral compound.

[0067] The HTP (IHTP Δ I) of all chiral compounds in a mixture of different configurations approximately satisfies the following equation:

[0068] IHTP Δ I = (∑ s c s HTP s ) - ((∑ r c r HTP r )

[0069] where c s is the concentration of each individual chiral compound having the S configuration, HTP s is the helical twisting power of each individual chiral compound having the S configuration, and where c r is the concentration of each individual chiral compound having the R configuration and HTP R is the helical twisting power of each individual chiral compound having the R configuration.

[0070] The term "director" is known from the prior art and refers to 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 such cases of uniaxial ordering of anisotropic molecules, the director is the anisotropy axis.

[0071] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, all physical properties have been determined in accordance with or based on "Merck Liquid Crystals, Physical Properties of Liquid Crystals", Status November 1997, Merck KGaA, Germany, and are given for a temperature of 20 °C. The optical anisotropy (Δn) is determined at a wavelength of 589.3 nm.

[0072] In case of doubt, the definitions given, for example, in C. Tschierske, G. Pelzl and S. Diele, Angew. Chem. 2004, 116, 6340 - 6368 will apply.

[0073] Unless otherwise stated, in the general formulas given, the following terms have the following meanings:

[0074] "Carbogenic group" means a monovalent or polyvalent organic group containing at least one carbon atom, which contains no other atoms (such as -C≡C-) or optionally contains one or more other atoms, such as N, O, S, P, Si, Se, As, Te or Ge (for example, carbonyl, etc.). "Hydrocarbyl group" means a carbogenic group which additionally contains one or more H atoms and optionally one or more heteroatoms, such as N, O, S, P, Si, Se, As, Te or Ge.

[0075] The carbogenic group or hydrocarbyl group can be a saturated or unsaturated group. Unsaturated groups are, for example, aryl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups. Carbogenic groups or hydrocarbyl groups having more than 3 C atoms can be straight-chain, branched and / or cyclic and can contain spiro-linked or fused rings.

[0076] Preferred carbogenic groups and hydrocarbyl groups are optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy and alkoxycarbonyloxy groups having 1 to 40 C atoms, preferably 1 to 25 C atoms, particularly preferably 1 to 18 C atoms, optionally substituted aryl or aryloxy groups having 6 to 40 C atoms, preferably 6 to 25 C atoms, or optionally substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkylaryloxy, arylalkyloxy, arylcarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, arylcarbonyloxy and aryloxycarbonyloxy groups having 6 to 40 C atoms, preferably 6 to 25 C atoms.

[0077] Other preferred carbogenic groups and hydrocarbyl groups are C 1 -C 40 alkyl, C 2 -C 40 alkenyl, C 2 -C 40 alkynyl, C 3 -C 40 allyl, C 4 -C40 Alkyl diene group, C 4 -C 40 Polyene group, C 6 -C 40 Aryl group, C 6 -C 40 Alkyl aryl group, C 6 -C 40 Aryl alkyl group, C 6 -C 40 Alkyl aryloxy group, C 6 -C 40 Aryl alkoxy group, C 2 -C 40 Heteroaryl group, C 4 -C 40 Cycloalkyl group, C 4 -C 40 Cycloalkenyl group, etc. Preferably C 1 -C 22 Alkyl group, C 2 -C 22 Alkenyl group, C 2 -C 22 Alkynyl group, C 3 -C 22 Allyl group, C 4 -C 22 Alkyl diene group, C 6 -C 12 Aryl group, C 6 -C 20 Aryl alkyl and C 2 -C 20 Heteroaryl group.

[0078] Other preferred carbon-based and hydrocarbon groups are straight-chain, branched-chain or cyclic alkyl groups having 1 to 40 C atoms, preferably 1 to 25 C atoms, more preferably 1 to 12 C atoms, which are unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted by F, Cl, Br, I or CN, and in which one or more non-adjacent CH 2 groups may each independently of one another be replaced by -C(R x )=C(R x )-, -C≡C-, -N(R x )-, -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -O-CO-O- in such a way that the O and / or S atoms are not directly linked to one another.

[0079] In the above, R xPreferably represents H, halogen, a straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkyl chain having 1 to 25 C atoms, wherein in addition 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 group having 6 to 40 C atoms or an optionally substituted heteroaryl or heteroaryloxy group having 2 to 40 C atoms.

[0080] 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.

[0081] Preferred alkenyl groups are, for example, vinyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, cyclopentenyl, hexenyl, cyclohexenyl, heptenyl, cycloheptenyl, octenyl, cyclooctenyl, etc.

[0082] Preferred alkynyl groups are, for example, ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl, octynyl, etc.

[0083] Preferred alkoxy groups are, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, 2-methoxyethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, 2-methylbutoxy, n-pentyloxy, n-hexyloxy, n-heptyloxy, n-octyloxy, n-nonyloxy, n-decyloxy, n-undecyloxy, n-dodecyloxy, etc.

[0084] Preferred amino groups are, for example, dimethylamino, methylamino, methylphenylamino, phenylamino, etc.

[0085] The aryl and heteroaryl groups can be monocyclic or polycyclic, i.e., they can have one ring (such as phenyl) or two or more rings, which can also be fused (such as naphthyl) or covalently linked (such as biphenyl), or contain a combination of fused and linked rings. The heteroaryl group contains one or more heteroatoms, preferably selected from O, N, S, and Se.

[0086] Preferred monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic aryl groups having 6 to 25 C atoms and monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic heteroaryl groups having 2 to 25 C atoms, which optionally contain fused rings and which are optionally substituted. In addition, preferred are 5-membered, 6-membered or 7-membered aryl and heteroaryl groups, wherein in addition one or more CH groups can be replaced by N, S or O in such a way that O atoms and / or S atoms are not directly connected to each other.

[0087] Preferred aryl groups are, for example, phenyl, biphenyl, terphenyl, [1,1':3',1"]-terphenyl-2'-yl, naphthalene, anthracene, binaphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene, dihydropyrene, perylene, tetracene, pentacene, benzopyrene, fluorene, indene, indenofluorene, spirobifluorene, etc.

[0088] 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, isoxazole, 1,2-thiazole, 1,3-thiazole, 1,2,3-oxadiazole, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,5-oxadiazole, 1,3,4-oxadiazole, 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, pyridinimidazole, pyrazinimidazole, quinoxalinimidazole, benzoxazole, naphthoxazole, anthraoxazole, phenanthroxazole, isoxazole, benzothiazole, benzofuran, isobenzofuran, dibenzofuran, quinoline, isoquinoline, pteridine, benzo-5,6-quinoline, benzo-6,7-quinoline, benzo-7,8-quinoline, benzoisoquinoline, acridine, phenothiazine, phenoxazine, 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 may also be substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, thioalkyl, fluorine, fluoroalkyl or other aryl or heteroaryl.

[0089] (Non-aromatic) alicyclic groups and heterocyclic groups include both saturated rings, i.e., those containing only single bonds, and partially unsaturated rings, i.e., those that may also contain multiple bonds. The heterocyclic ring contains one or more heteroatoms, preferably selected from Si, O, N, S and Se.

[0090] (Non-aromatic) alicyclic groups 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 preferred. In addition, mono-, bi- or tricyclic groups having 3 - 25 atoms are preferred, which optionally contain fused rings and are optionally substituted. Further preferred are 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-membered carbocyclic groups, 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 CH 2 groups can be replaced by -O- and / or -S-.

[0091] Preferred alicyclic groups and heterocyclic groups are, for example, 5-membered groups such as cyclopentane, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydrothiophene, pyrrolidine; 6-membered groups such as cyclohexane, silinane, cyclohexene, tetrahydropyran, tetrahydrothiopyran, 1,3-dioxane, 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.

[0092] Aryl, heteroaryl, (non-aromatic) alicyclic and heterocyclic groups optionally have one or more substituents, which are preferably selected from silyl, sulfonic acid group, sulfonyl, formyl, amino, imino, nitrile, mercapto, nitro, halogen, C 1 -C 12 alkyl, C 6 -C 12 aryl, C 1 -C 12 alkoxy, hydroxyl or a combination of these groups.

[0093] Preferred substituents are, for example, solubility promoting groups such as alkyl or alkoxy; electron-withdrawing groups such as fluorine, nitro or nitrile; or substituents for increasing the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer, especially bulky groups such as tert-butyl or optionally substituted aryl.

[0094] Preferred substituents (also referred to as "L" hereinafter) are, for example, F, Cl, Br, I, -OH, -CN, -NO 2 , -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 meaning mentioned above, and the above-mentioned Y x represents halogen; optionally substituted silyl; optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl having 4 to 40, preferably 4 to 20 ring atoms; and a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy having 1 to 25 C atoms, wherein one or more H atoms may optionally be replaced by F or Cl.

[0095] "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 , wherein R y represents H, a straight-chain, branched-chain or cyclic alkyl chain having 1 to 12 C atoms.

[0096] In the formula shown in the context, the substituted phenylene ring

[0097]

[0098] wherein L is the same or different each time it appears and has one of the meanings given in the context, and is preferably F, Cl, CN, NO 2 , CH 3 , C 2 H 5 , C(CH 3 ) 3 , CH(CH 3 ) 2 , CH 2 CH(CH 3 )C 2 H 5 , OCH 3 , OC 2 H 5 , COCH 3 , COC 2 H 5 , COOCH 3 , COOC 2 H 5 , CF 3 , OCF 3 , OCHF 2 , OC 2 F 5 or P-Sp-, very preferably F, Cl, CN, CH 3 , C2 H 5 、 OCH 3 、 COCH 3 、 OCF 3 or P-Sp-, most preferably F, Cl, CH 3 、 OCH 3 、 COCH 3 or OCF 3 。

[0099] "Halogen" means F, Cl, Br or I, preferably F or Cl, more preferably F.

[0100] "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, for example, oxetanyl or epoxy groups.

[0101] Preferably, the polymerizable group (P) is selected from: CH 2 ═CW 1 -COO-, CH 2 ═CW 1 -CO-, CH 2 ═CW 2 -(O) k3 -, CW 1 ═CH-CO-(O) k3 -, CW 1 ═CH-CO-NH-, CH 2 ═CW 1 -CO-NH-, CH 3 -CH═CH-O-, (CH 2 ═CH) 2 CH-OCO-, (CH 2 ═CH-CH 2 ) 2 CH-OCO-, (CH 2 ═CH) 2 CH-O-, (CH 2 ═CH-CH 2 ) 2 N-, (CH 2 ═CH-CH 2 ) 2 N-CO-, CH 2 ═CW 1 -CO-NH-, CH 2 ═CH-(COO) k1 -Phe-(O) k2 -, CH 2 ═CH-(CO) k1 -Phe-(O)k2 -, Phe-CH=CH-,

[0102] wherein

[0103] W 1 represents H, F, Cl, CN, CF 3 , phenyl or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 C atoms, especially H, F, Cl or CH 3 ,

[0104] W 2 represents H or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 C atoms, especially H, methyl, ethyl or n-propyl,

[0105] W 3 and W 4 each independently of one another represent 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, preferably, the preferred substituent L is F, Cl, CN, NO 2 , CH 3 , C 2 H 5 , OCH 3 , OC 2 H 5 , COCH 3 , COC 2 H 5 , COOCH 3 , COOC 2 H 5 , CF 3 , OCF 3 , OCHF 2 , OC 2 F 5 , and also phenyl, and

[0106] k 1 , k 2 and k 3 each independently of one another represent 0 or 1, k 3 preferably represents 1, and k 4 is an integer from 1 to 10.

[0107] Particularly preferred polymerizable groups P are CH 2 =CH-COO-, CH 2 =C(CH 3 )-COO-, CH 2 =CF-COO-, CH 2 =CH-, CH 2 =CH-O-, (CH 2 =CH) 2CH-OCO-,(CH 2 =CH) 2 CH-O-, wherein W 2 represents H or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 C atoms, especially H, methyl, ethyl or n-propyl.

[0108] Further preferred polymerizable groups (P) are vinyloxy, acrylate, methacrylate, fluoroacrylate, chloroacrylate, oxetanyl and epoxy groups, most preferably acrylate or methacrylate groups, especially acrylate groups.

[0109] Preferably, all polyreactive polymerizable compounds and their sub-formulas contain one or more branched groups (polyreactive polymerizable groups) containing two or more polymerizable groups P, rather than one or more groups P-Sp-.

[0110] Suitable groups of this type and polymerizable compounds containing them are described, for example, in US 7,060,200 B1 or US2006 / 0172090 A1.

[0111] Preferably selected from polyreactive polymerizable groups of the following formula:

[0112] -X-alkyl-CHP x -CH 2 -CH 2 P y I*a

[0113] -X-alkyl-C(CH 2 P x )(CH 2 P y )-CH 2 P z I*b

[0114] -X-alkyl-CHP x CHP y -CH 2 P z I*c

[0115] -X-alkyl-C(CH 2 P x )(CH 2 P y )-C aa H 2aa+1 I*d

[0116] -X-alkyl-CHP x -CH 2 P y I*e

[0117] -X-alkyl-CHP x P y I*f

[0118] -X-alkyl-CP x P y -C aa H 2aa+1 I*g

[0119] -X-alkyl-C(CH 2 P v )(CH 2 P w )-CH 2 OCH 2 -C(CH 2 P x )(CH 2 Py)CH 2 P z I*h

[0120] -X-alkyl-CH((CH 2 ) aa P x )((CH 2 ) bb P y )I*i

[0121] -X-alkyl-CHP x CHP y -C aa H 2aa+1 I*k

[0122] wherein

[0123] alkyl represents a single bond or a straight-chain or branched alkylene group having 1 to 12 C atoms, wherein one or more non-adjacent CH 2 groups may each independently of one another be replaced by -C(R x )=C(R x )-, -C≡C-, -N(R x )-, -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -O-CO-O- in such a way that O and / or S atoms are not directly connected to one another, and furthermore wherein one or more H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl or CN, where R x has one of the meanings mentioned above,

[0124] aa and bb each independently of one another represent 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6,

[0125] X has one of the meanings indicated for X', and

[0126] P v to P z each independently of one another has one of the meanings indicated above for P.

[0127] 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

[0128] Sp' represents an alkylene group having 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 12 C atoms, which is optionally mono- or poly-substituted by F, Cl, Br, I or CN, and furthermore where one or more non-adjacent CH 2 groups can 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 O and / or S atoms are not directly connected to one another,

[0129] X' represents -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -O-COO-, -CO-NR xx -, -NR xx -CO-, -NR xx -CO-NR yy -, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 O-, -SCH 2 -, -CH 2 S-, -CF 2 O-, -OCF 2 -, -CF 2 S-, -SCF 2 -, -CF 2 CH 2 -, -CH 2 CF 2 -, -CF 2 CF 2 -, -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,

[0130] R xx and R yy each independently of one another represent H or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 C atoms, and

[0131] Y xx and Y yy each independently of one another represent H, F, Cl or CN.

[0132] X' is preferably -O-, -S--CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -O-COO-, -CO-NR xx -, -NR xx -, -NR xx -CO-NR yy - or a single bond.

[0133] A typical spacer group Sp' is, for example, -(CH 2 ) p1 -, -(CH 2 CH 2 O) q1 -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -S-CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -NH-CH 2 CH 2 - 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 meanings mentioned above.

[0134] Particularly preferred groups -X'-Sp'- are -(CH 2 ) p1 -, -O-(CH 2 ) p1 -, -OCO-(CH 2 ) p1 -, -OCOO-(CH 2 ) p1 -, where p1 is an integer from 1 to 12.

[0135] Particularly preferred groups Sp' are, in each case, for example, straight-chain methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentylene, hexylene, heptylene, octylene, nonylene, decylene, undecylene, dodecylene, octadecylene, ethyleneoxyethylene, methyleneoxybutylene, ethylenethioethylene, ethyl-N-methyliminoethylene, 1-methylalkylene, vinylidene, propenylene and butenylene.

[0136] For the purposes of the present invention,

[0137]

[0138] represents trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, and

[0139]

[0140] represents 1,4-phenylene.

[0141] For the present invention, the group -COO-, -C(=O)O- or -CO 2 - represents an ester group of the formula and the group -OCO-, -OC(=O)-, -O 2 C- or -OOC- represents an ester group of the formula All concentrations are quoted in weight percentages (w / w) and relate to the entire corresponding mixture, all temperatures are quoted in degrees Celsius and all temperature differences are quoted in degrees of difference.

[0142] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, as used herein, the plural form of the terms herein shall be understood to include the singular form and vice versa.

[0143] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprising" and "containing" and variations of these words (e.g., "comprising" and "comprises") mean "including but not limited to" and are not intended (and do not) exclude other components. On the other hand, the word "comprising" also encompasses but is not limited to the term "consisting of".

[0144] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "obtainable" and "obtained" and variations of these words mean "including but not limited to" and are not intended (and do not) exclude other components. On the other hand, the word "obtainable" also encompasses but is not limited to the term "obtained".

[0145] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "obtainable" and "obtained" and variations of these words mean "including but not limited to" and are not intended (and do not) exclude other components. On the other hand, the word "obtainable" also encompasses but is not limited to the term "obtained". Detailed Description

[0146] In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the liquid crystal polymer films of the optical component may be obtained from or be a polymerizable LC medium comprising one or more di- or poly-reactive RMs of a group preferably selected from compounds of formula DRM,

[0147] P 1 -Sp 1 -MG-Sp 2 -P 2 DRM

[0148] wherein

[0149] P 1 and P 2 each independently represent polymerizable groups,

[0150] Sp 1 and Sp 2 each independently is a spacer group or a single bond, and

[0151] MG is a rod-like mesogenic group which is preferably selected from the formula MG

[0152] -(A 1 -Z 1 ) n -A 2 - MG

[0153] wherein

[0154] A 1 and A 2 in the case of multiple occurrences each independently 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,

[0155] L is P-Sp-, F, Cl, Br, I, -CN, -NO 2 、-NCO、-NCS、-OCN、-SCN、-C(=O)NR x R y 、-C(=O)OR x 、-C(=O)R x 、-NR x R y 、-OH、-SF 5 、optionally substituted silyl, aryl or heteroaryl (having 1 to 12, preferably 1 to 6 C atoms), and straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy having 1 to 12, preferably 1 to 6 C atoms, wherein one or more H atoms are optionally replaced by F or Cl,

[0156] R x and Ry each independently represents H or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms

[0157] Z 1 in the case of multiple occurrences, 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 -, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 O-, -SCH 2 -, -CH 2 S-, -CF 2 O-, -OCF 2 -, -CF 2 S-, -SCF 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -(CH 2 ) n1 -, -CF 2 CH 2 -, -CH 2 CF 2 -, -CF 2 CF 2 -, -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, preferably -COO-, -OCO- or a single bond

[0158] Y 1 and Y 2 each independently represents H, F, Cl or CN

[0159] n is 1, 2, 3 or 4, preferably 1 or 2, most preferably 2

[0160] n1 is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1, 2, 3 or 4

[0161] Preferred group A 1 and A 2including, but 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 described above.

[0162] Particularly preferred group A 1 and A 2 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-tetrahydro-naphthalene-2,6-diyl, indane-2,5-diyl, bicyclooctylene or 1,4-cyclohexylene, where one or two non-adjacent CH 2 groups are optionally replaced by O and / or S, and these groups are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups L as described above.

[0163] Preferred RM of formula DRM is selected from formula DRMa

[0164]

[0165] wherein

[0166] P 0 in the case of multiple occurrences are each independently polymerizable groups, preferably acryloyl, methacryloyl, oxetane, epoxy, vinyl, heptadiene, vinyloxy, allyl ether or styrene groups,

[0167] Z 0 each independently -COO-, -OCO-, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CF 2 O-, -OCF 2 -, -C≡C-, -CH=CH-,-OCO-CH=CH-, -CH=CH-COO- or a single bond,

[0168] L in each occurrence is the same or different and has one of the meanings given for L in formula I 1 and is preferably, in the case of multiple occurrences, each independently selected from F, Cl, CN or an optionally halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy having 1 to 5 C atoms,

[0169] r is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4,

[0170] x and y are each independently 0 or the same or different integers from 1 to 12,

[0171] z is 0 or 1, and z is 0 if an adjacent x or y is 0.

[0172] RM of formula DRM is very preferably selected from the following formulae:

[0173]

[0174]

[0175] wherein P 0 , L, r, x, y and z are as defined in formula DRMa.

[0176] Particularly preferred are the compounds of formulae DRMa1, DRMa2 and DRMa3, especially those of formula DRMa1.

[0177] The concentration of the bi- or poly-reactive RM in the polymerizable LC medium, preferably those of formula DRM and its sub-formulae, is preferably 1% to 60%, very preferably 10% to 60%, and more preferably 20% to 55%.

[0178] In a preferred embodiment, in addition to the bi- or poly-reactive RM preferably selected from formula DRM, the polymerizable LC medium also contains one or more mono-reactive RM.

[0179] These additional mono-reactive RM are preferably selected from the group of compounds of formula MRM,

[0180] P 1 -Sp 1 -MG-R MRM

[0181] wherein P 1 , Sp 1 and MG have the meanings given in formula DRM,

[0182] R represents F, Cl, Br, I, -CN, -NO 2 , -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, -SF 5 , an optionally substituted silyl group, 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 C atoms, wherein one or more H atoms are optionally replaced by F or Cl,

[0183] X is a halogen, preferably F or Cl, and

[0184] R x and R y are each independently H or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0185] Preferably, RM of the formula MRM is selected from the following formulas.

[0186]

[0187]

[0188]

[0189]

[0190] wherein P 0 , L, r, x, y and z are as defined in the formula DRMa,

[0191] R 0 is an alkyl group, alkoxy group, thioalkyl group, alkylcarbonyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, alkylcarbonyloxy group or alkoxycarbonyloxy group having 1 or more carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 15 carbon atoms, or represents Y 0 or P-(CH 2 ) y -(O) z -,

[0192] X 0 is -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -O-COO-, -CO-NR 01 -, -NR 01 -CO-, -NR 01 -CO-NR 01 -,-OCH 2 -,-CH 2 O-,-SCH 2 -,-CH 2 S-,-CF 2 O-,-OCF 2 -,-CF 2 S-,-SCF 2 -,-CF 2 CH 2 -,-CH 2 CF 2 -,-CF 2 CF 2 -,-CH=N-,-N=CH-,-N=N-,-CH=CR 01 -,-CF=CF-,-C≡C-,-CH=CH-COO-,-OCO-CH=CH- or a single bond,

[0193] Y 0 is F, Cl, CN, NO 2 , OCH 3 , OCN, SCN, SF 5 or a mono-fluorinated, oligo-fluorinated or poly-fluorinated alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 4 C atoms,

[0194] Z 0 is -COO-, -OCO-, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CF 2 O-, -OCF 2 -, -CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -CH=CH-COO- or a single bond,

[0195] A 0 in the case of multiple occurrences, are each independently a 1,4-phenylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups L, or a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group,

[0196] R 01,02 are each independently H, R 0 or Y 0 ,

[0197] u and v are each independently 0, 1 or 2,

[0198] w is 0 or 1,

[0199] and wherein the benzene ring and the naphthalene ring may additionally be substituted by one or more identical or different groups L.

[0200] Particularly preferred are compounds of the formulas MRM1, MRM2, MRM3, MRM4, MRM5, MRM6, MRM7, in particular those of the formulas MRM1, MRM4, MRM6 and MRM7.

[0201] The concentration of all mono-reactive RM in the polymerizable LC medium is preferably from 1% to 80%, very preferably from 5% to 70%, more preferably from 10% to 60%.

[0202] Compounds of the formulas DRM, MRM and their sub-formulas can be prepared by methods analogous to those 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).

[0203] In a preferred embodiment, the proportion of the polymerizable mesogenic compound as a whole in the polymerizable liquid crystal medium according to the invention is in the range of 30 to 99% by weight, more preferably in the range of 40 to 97% by weight, and even more preferably in the range of 50 to 95% by weight.

[0204] Preferably, the proportion of the monoreactive, di- or polyreactive liquid crystal compound (preferably selected from the compounds of the formulas DRM and MRM given above and below) as a whole in the polymerizable liquid crystal medium according to the invention is preferably in the range of 30 to 99.9% by weight, more preferably in the range of 40 to 99.9% by weight, and even more preferably in the range of 50 to 99.9% by weight.

[0205] In a preferred embodiment, the proportion of the di- or polyreactive polymerizable mesogenic compound as a whole in the polymerizable liquid crystal medium according to the invention is preferably in the range of 5 to 99% by weight, more preferably in the range of 10 to 97% by weight, and even more preferably in the range of 15 to 95% by weight.

[0206] In another preferred embodiment, the proportion of the monoreactive polymerizable mesogenic compound (if present) as a whole in the polymerizable liquid crystal medium according to the invention 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.

[0207] In another preferred embodiment, the proportion of the polyreactive polymerizable mesogenic compound (if present) as a whole in the polymerizable liquid crystal medium according to the invention 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.

[0208] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC medium does not contain a polymerizable mesogenic compound having more than two polymerizable groups.

[0209] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC medium does not contain a polymerizable mesogenic compound having less than two polymerizable groups.

[0210] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC material comprises one or more monoreactive mesogenic compounds (preferably selected from the formula MRM-10), one or more di- or polyreactive mesogenic compounds (preferably selected from the formula DRMa-1).

[0211] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC medium comprises at least two monoreactive mesogenic compounds (preferably selected from the compounds of the formulas MRM-8 and / or MRM-10), one or more di- or polyreactive mesogenic compounds (preferably selected from the formula DRMa-1).

[0212] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC medium comprises at least two mono-reactive mesogenic compounds (preferably selected from the compounds of formula MRM-8 and / or MRM-10), and at least two di-reactive mesogenic compounds (preferably selected from the compounds of formula DRMa-1).

[0213] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC medium comprises at least two di-reactive mesogenic compounds, which are preferably selected from the compounds of formula DRMa-1.

[0214] The polymerizable LC medium suitable for producing a second or cholesteric polymer film comprises one or more chiral compounds.

[0215] Preferably, the chiral compounds used each individually or in combination with one another have an absolute value of the helical twisting power (HTP) in the range of -1 20 μm or greater, preferably 40 μm -1 or greater, more preferably in the range of 60 μm -1 or greater, most preferably in the range of 80 μm -1 or greater up to 260 μm -1 range.

[0216] Preferably, the non-polymerizable chiral compounds are selected from the group of compounds of formulae C-I to C-III,

[0217]

[0218]

[0219] the latter including the corresponding (S,S) enantiomers,

[0220] wherein E and F are each independently 1,4-phenylene or trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, v is 0 or 1, Z 0 is -COO-, -OCO-, -CH 2 CH 2 - or a single bond, and R is an alkyl, alkoxy or alkanoyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0221] Particularly preferred are chiral compounds which do not have to exhibit a liquid crystal phase.

[0222] The compounds of formula C-II and their synthesis are described in WO98 / 00428. Particularly preferred is the compound CD-1, as shown in Table D below. The compounds of formula C-III and their synthesis are described in GB2328207.

[0223] In addition, the chiral compounds commonly used are, for example, commercially available R / S-5011, CD-1, R / S-811 and CB-15 (purchased from Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany).

[0224] The above chiral compounds R / S-5011, CD-1 and the (other) compounds of formula C-I, formula C-II and formula C-III exhibit extremely high helical twisting power (HTP), and are therefore particularly suitable for the purposes of the present invention.

[0225] The polymerizable LC medium preferably contains 1 to 5, particularly 1 to 3, very preferably 1 or 2 chiral compounds, which are preferably selected from the above formula C-II, particularly CD-1 and / or formula C-III and / or R-5011 or S-5011. Very preferably, the chiral compound is R-5011, S-5011 or CD-1.

[0226] Preferably, the polymerizable LC medium contains one or more non-reactive chiral compounds and / or one or more reactive chiral compounds, which are preferably selected from mono-reactive and / or poly-reactive chiral compounds.

[0227] Suitable mesogenic reactive chiral compounds preferably contain one or more ring elements connected together by a direct bond or via a linking group, and wherein two of these ring elements may optionally be directly or via a linking group connected to each other, which linking group may be the same or different from the linking group mentioned. The ring elements are preferably selected from the group of four-membered, five-membered, six-membered or seven-membered rings, preferably the group of five-membered or six-membered rings.

[0228] Preferred mono-reactive chiral compounds are selected from the compounds of formula CRMa to CRMc.

[0229]

[0230] wherein

[0231] P 0* represents a polymerizable group P

[0232] R is an alkyl, alkoxy, thioalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy having 1 or more C atoms, preferably 1 to 15 C atoms, or is P 0* -(CH 2 ) o -X 2 -,

[0233] A 0 and B 0In the case of multiple occurrences, each independently is unsubstituted or 1,4-phenylene substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups L as defined above, or trans-1,4-cyclohexylene,

[0234] X 1 and X 2 each independently is -O-, -COO-, -OCO-, -O-CO-O- or a single bond,

[0235] Z 0* and Z 0 in the case of multiple occurrences, each independently is -COO-, -OCO-, -O-CO-O-, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 O-, -CF 2 O-, -OCF 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -(CH 2 ) 4 -, -CF 2 CH 2 -, -CH 2 CF 2 -, -CF 2 CF 2 -, -C≡C-, -CH=CH-, -CH=CH-COO-, -OCO-CH=CH- or a single bond,

[0236] o each independently is 0, 1, 2 or 3,

[0237] t is 0, 1 or 2,

[0238] o is 0 or an integer from 1 to 12,

[0239] a and v are 0, 1 or 2,

[0240] z is 0 or 1,

[0241] and wherein the naphthalene ring may be additionally substituted by one or more identical or different groups L, where L each independently is F, Cl, CN, haloalkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy having 1 to 5 C atoms.

[0242] The compound of formula CRM is preferably selected from the group of compounds of the following formula

[0243]

[0244] wherein A 0 、B 0 、Z 0* 、P 0*, a and b have the meanings given in formula CRM or one of the preferred meanings given above and below, and (OCO) represents -O-CO- or a single bond, and X2 represents -O-, -COO-, -OCO-, -O-CO-O- or a single bond.

[0245] Particularly preferred compounds of formula CRM are selected from the group consisting of the following sub-formulas:

[0246]

[0247]

[0248]

[0249] wherein R is -X as defined in formula CRMa 2 -(CH 2 ) x -P 0* , and the benzene ring and naphthalene ring are unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups L as defined above and below.

[0250] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC medium optionally contains one or more additives selected from the group consisting of: other polymerization initiators, antioxidants, surfactants, stabilizers, catalysts, sensitizers, inhibitors, chain transfer agents, comonomers, reactive viscosity reducers, surface-active compounds, lubricants, wetting agents, dispersants, water repellents, adhesives, flow improvers, degassing agents or antifoaming agents, deaerating agents, diluents, reactive diluents, auxiliaries, colorants, dyes, pigments and nanoparticles.

[0251] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC medium optionally contains one or more additives selected from polymerizable non-mesogenic compounds (reactive viscosity reducers). The amount of these additives in the polymerizable LC medium is preferably from 0 to 30%, very preferably from 0 to 25%.

[0252] The reactive viscosity reducers used are not only substances actually called reactive viscosity reducers but also the auxiliary compounds mentioned above, which contain one or more complementary reactive units or polymerizable groups P (such as hydroxyl, thiol- or amino groups), via which the units can react with the polymerizable units of the liquid crystal compounds.

[0253] Substances that can generally be photopolymerized include, for example, mono-, di- or polyfunctional compounds containing at least one ethylenic double bond. Examples thereof are vinyl esters of carboxylic acids, such as vinyl esters of lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid, and vinyl esters of dicarboxylic acids, such as vinyl esters of succinic acid and adipic acid, allyl and vinyl ethers of monofunctional alcohols and methacrylates and acrylates, such as allyl ethers and vinyl ethers and methacrylates and acrylates of lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, palmityl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, and diallyl ethers and divinyl ethers of bifunctional alcohols, such as diallyl ethers and divinyl ethers of ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol.

[0254] Also suitable are, for example, methacrylates and acrylates of polyfunctional alcohols, especially those that contain no additional functional groups other than hydroxyl groups, or at most contain ether groups. Examples of such alcohols are bifunctional alcohols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and their higher 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, ditrimethylolpropane, dipentaerythritol, sorbitol, mannitol, and the corresponding alkoxylated, especially ethoxylated and propoxylated alcohols.

[0255] Other suitable reactive tackifiers are polyester (meth)acrylates, which are (meth)acrylates of polyester polyols.

[0256] Examples of suitable polyester polyols are those that can be prepared by esterifying polycarboxylic acids, preferably dicarboxylic acids, with polyols, preferably diols. The starting materials for such hydroxyl-containing polyesters are known to those skilled in the art. Dicarboxylic acids that can be used are succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, phthalic acid and its isomers and hydrogenation products, and esterifiable or transesterifiable derivatives of said acids, such as acid anhydrides and dialkyl esters. Suitable polyols are the alcohols mentioned above, preferably ethylene glycol, 1,2- and 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, cyclohexanedimethanol and polyglycols of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol types.

[0257] In addition, suitable reactive tackifiers are 1,4-divinylbenzene, triallyl cyanurate, acrylate of tricyclodecenyl alcohol (also known as dicyclopentadienyl acrylate), and allyl esters of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and cyanoacrylic acid.

[0258] Among the reactive tackifiers mentioned by way of example, those containing photopolymerizable groups are used in particular and taking into account the preferred compositions mentioned above.

[0259] This group includes, for example, diols and polyols, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and their higher condensation representatives, such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, etc., butanediol, pentanediol, hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, cyclohexanedimethanol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane, butanetriol, trimethylolethane, pentaerythritol, ditrimethylolpropane, dipentaerythritol, sorbitol, mannitol, and the corresponding alkoxylated, especially ethoxylated and propoxylated alcohols.

[0260] In addition, the group also includes, for example, alkoxylated phenolic compounds, such as ethoxylated and propoxylated bisphenols.

[0261] In addition, these reactive tackifiers can be, for example, epoxy or urethane (meth)acrylates.

[0262] For example, epoxy (meth)acrylates are those that can be obtained by reacting epoxidized olefins or poly- or diglycidyl ethers, such as bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, with (meth)acrylic acid, which are known to those skilled in the art.

[0263] In particular, urethane (meth)acrylates are also known to those skilled in the art, which are the products of the reaction of (meth)acrylic acid hydroxyalkyl esters with poly- or diisocyanates.

[0264] Such epoxy and urethane (meth)acrylates are included in the compounds listed above in a "mixed form".

[0265] If reactive tackifiers are used, their amounts and properties must be matched to the corresponding conditions such that, on the one hand, a satisfactory desired effect is achieved, such as the desired color of the composition according to the present invention, but on the other hand, the phase behavior of the liquid crystal composition is not overly damaged. For example, a low-crosslinking (high-crosslinking) liquid crystal composition can be prepared using a corresponding reactive tackifier having a relatively low (high) number of reactive units per molecule.

[0266] For example, the group of diluents includes:

[0267] 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-ethylene glycol, 1,2- and 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-, 2,3- and 1,4-butanediol, di- and tri-ethylene glycol and di- and tri-propanediol, ethers, such as methyl tert-butyl ether, 1,2-ethylene glycol mono- and di-methyl ether, 1,2-ethylene glycol mono- and di-ethyl ether, 3-methoxypropanol, 3-isopropoxypropanol, tetrahydrofuran and dioxane, 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 also natural oils, such as olive oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, linseed oil and sunflower oil.

[0268] Of course, mixtures of these diluents can also be used in the compositions according to the invention.

[0269] As long as there is at least partial miscibility, these diluents can also be mixed with water. 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-ethylene glycol, 1,2- and 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-, 2,3- and 1,4-butanediol, di- and tri-ethylene glycol and di- and tri-propanediol, ethers, such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane, 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.

[0270] The diluent is optionally used in a proportion of about 0 to 10.0% by weight, preferably about 0 to 5.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymerizable LC medium.

[0271] It is not possible to strictly delimit the defoamers and degassing agents (c1)), lubricants and flow aids (c2)), thermal or radiation curing aids (c3)), substrate wetting aids (c4)), wetting and dispersing aids (c5)), water repellents (c6)), adhesion promoters (c7)) and aids for promoting scratch resistance (c8)) from one another in their action.

[0272] For example, lubricants and flow aids are also often used as defoamers and / or degassing agents and / or aids for promoting scratch resistance. Radiation curing aids can also be used as lubricants and flow aids and / or degassing agents and / or substrate wetting aids. In various cases, some of these aids can also perform the function of an adhesion promoter (c8)).

[0273] Corresponding to the above, certain additives can thus be classified into several groups c1) to c8) described below.

[0274] In group c1), defoamers include silicon-free and silicon-containing polymers. Silicon-containing polymers are, for example, unmodified or modified polydialkylsiloxanes or branched copolymers, comb or block copolymers containing polydialkylsiloxane and polyether units, the latter obtainable from ethylene oxide or propylene oxide.

[0275] In group c1), degassing agents include, for example, organic polymers such as polyethers and polyacrylates, dialkylpolysiloxanes, especially dimethylpolysiloxane, organically modified polysiloxanes such as arylalkyl-modified polysiloxanes, and fluorosilicones.

[0276] The action of defoamers is basically based on preventing foam formation or destroying already formed foam. In the medium to be degassed, for example in the compositions according to the invention, defoamers act essentially by promoting the coalescence of finely divided gas or air bubbles to obtain larger bubbles and thereby accelerating the escape of the gas (or air). Since defoamers can often also be used as degassing agents and vice versa, these additives have been included together in group c1).

[0277] Such aids can, for example Foamex 800, Foamex 805 N, Foamex810, Foamex 815 N, Foamex 825, Foamex 835, Foamex840, Foamex 842, Foamex 1435, Foamex 1488, Foamex1495, Foamex 3062, Foamex 7447, Foamex 8020, Foamex8030, Foamex 8050, Foamex N、 Foamex K 3、 Antifoam2-18、 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、 Antifoam93、 Antifoam 200、 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 KS10、 AntifoamKS 53、 Antifoam KS 95, Antifoam KS100, Antifoam KE 600, Antifoam KS 911, Antifoam MR 1000, Antifoam KS 1100, Airex 900, Airex 910, Airex 920, Airex 931, Airex 935, Airex 936, Airex 944, Airex 960, Airex962, Airex 970, Airex 978, Airex 980 and Airex 985, Airex 990 were purchased from Tego; and can -011, -019, -020, -021, -022, -023, -024, -025, -027, -031, -032, -033, -034, -035, -036, -037, -045, -051, -052, -053, -055, -057, -065, -066, -070, -080, -088, -141 and - The 530 was purchased from BYK.

[0278] 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, based on the total weight of the polymerizable LC medium.

[0279] In group c2), the lubricants and flow aids generally include silicon-free and silicon-containing polymers such as polyacrylates or modifiers, and low molecular weight polydialkylsiloxanes. The modification lies in that some of the alkyl groups have been replaced by a wide variety of organic groups. These organic groups are, for example, polyethers, polyesters or even long-chain (fluorinated) alkyl groups, with the former being most commonly used.

[0280] 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 alkylene oxide units in the modified polysiloxane, the higher the hydrophilicity of the resulting product.

[0281] Such auxiliaries can be, for example, Glide 100, Glide ZG 400, Glide406, Glide 410, Glide 411, Glide 415, Glide 420, Glide 432, Glide 435, Glide 440, Glide 450, Glide 466, Glide 490, Glide 496, Glide A116, Glide A 115, Glide B 1484 (which can also be used as an antifoaming agent and degassing agent), FlowATF2, Flow 300, Flow 460N, Flow 425 and Flow ZFS 460 are purchased from Tego. Suitable radiation-curable lubricants and flow aids (which can also be used to improve scratch resistance) are products also available from TEGO Rad 2100, Rad 2200, Rad 2200N, Rad 2500, Rad 2600, Rad2650 and Rad 2700.

[0282] For example, such additives can also be obtained from BYK in the form of -300 -306, -307, -310, -320, -333, -341, 354, 361, 361N, 388.

[0283] Such additives can also be purchased, for example, from 3M, such as

[0284] Such additives can also be purchased, for example, from Cytonix, such as 561 or 562.

[0285] Such additives can also be purchased, for example, from Merck KGaA, such as FL 2300 and FL2500.

[0286] The additives in group c2) are optionally used in an amount of about 0 to 3.0% by weight, preferably about 0 to 2.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymerizable LC medium.

[0287] In group c3), the radiation-curing additives include in particular polysiloxanes having terminal double bonds, such as components in which the terminal double bond is an acrylate group. Such additives can be crosslinked by photochemistry or, for example, electron radiation. These additives generally combine several properties. In the uncrosslinked state, they can be used as defoamers, degassing agents, lubricants and flow aids and / or substrate wetting aids, while in the crosslinked state, they particularly improve, for example, the scratch resistance of coatings or films that can be prepared using the compositions according to the invention. The improvement of the gloss properties of precisely those coatings or films is essentially considered to be the result of the action of these additives as defoamers, degassing agents and / or lubricants and flow aids (in the uncrosslinked state).

[0288] Examples of suitable radiation-curing additives are products available from TEGO Rad2100, Rad2200, Rad 2500, Rad 2650, and Rad 2700 and products available from BYK -371.

[0289] In group c3), the heat-curing aids include, for example, primary OH groups which are capable of reacting with isocyanate groups of, for example, binders.

[0290] Examples of available heat-curing aids are products available from BYK -370, -373, and -375.

[0291] The aids 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, based on the total weight of the polymerizable LC medium.

[0292] The substrate wetting aids in group c4) are particularly used to improve the wettability of substrates to be printed or coated, for example, with printing inks or coating compositions (such as the compositions according to the invention). The accompanying improvement in the lubricating and flow behavior of such printing inks or coating compositions affects the appearance of the finished (e.g., crosslinked) printed matter or coating.

[0293] A wide variety of such aids are available, for example, as We t KL 245, We t 250, Wet 260, We t 500, We t 505, We t 510, which are purchased from Tego, and can be -306, -307, -310, -333, -344, -345, -346, and -348, which are purchased from BYK.

[0294] 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, based on the total weight of the liquid crystal composition.

[0295] The wetting and dispersing aids in group c5) are particularly used to prevent floating and blooming of pigments and deposition, and are therefore (if necessary) particularly suitable for use in colored compositions.

[0296] These auxiliaries stabilize the pigment dispersion basically through the electrostatic repulsion and / or steric hindrance of the pigment particles containing these additives, in which case the interaction between the auxiliaries and the surrounding medium (such as the binder) plays an important role in the latter case.

[0297] Since the use of such wetting and dispersing auxiliaries is a common practice in, for example, the fields of printing ink and paint technology, the selection of suitable auxiliaries of this type usually does not pose any difficulties to those skilled in the art (if they are used).

[0298] Such wetting and dispersing auxiliaries can be, for example, Dis per s 630, Dis per s705, Dispers 710, Dispers 740W are purchased from Tego, and can be -107, -108, -110, -111, -115, -130, -160, -161, -162, -163, -164, -165, -166, -167, -170, -174, -180, -181, -182, -183, -184, -185, -190, Anti- -U, Anti- -U 80, Anti- -P, Anti- -203, Anti- -204, Anti- -206, -151, -154, -155, -P 104 S, - P105, - WS and purchased from BYK.

[0299] The amount of the auxiliary agent in group c5) is used based on the average molecular weight of the auxiliary agent. Therefore, in any case, preliminary experiments are advisable, but this can be simply done by those skilled in the art.

[0300] The water repellent in group c6) can be used to impart water repellent properties to, for example, printed matter or coatings made using the composition according to the invention. This prevents or at least greatly inhibits swelling due to water absorption and thus, for example, changes in the optical properties of such printed matter or coatings. In addition, when using the composition as a printing ink, for example, in offset printing, water absorption can thereby be prevented or at least significantly reduced.

[0301] Such water repellents can be, for example, Phobe 1000, Phobe 1000 S, Phobe 1010, Phobe 1030, Phobe 1010, Phobe 1010, Phobe 1030, Phobe 1040, Phobe 1050, Phobe 1200, Phobe 1300, Phobe 1310, Phobe 1409, Phobe 1500N, Phobe 1650, Phobe 1659, Phobe 6010, Phobe 6510 and Phobe 1400 are purchased from Tego.

[0302] The auxiliary agent in group c6) is 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 polymerizable LC medium.

[0303] Additional adhesion promoters from group c7) are used to improve the adhesion of the two contacting interfaces. It is directly evident therefrom that substantially only the part of the effective adhesion promoter which is located at one or the other interface or at both interfaces is relevant. If, for example, 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 that the substrate must be pretreated with the adhesion promoter (also referred to as priming), i.e. the substrate is given altered chemical and / or physical surface properties.

[0304] If the substrate has been primed with a primer 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 entire multilayer structure on the substrate.

[0305] Substrate wetting aids which have already been listed in group c4) may also be mentioned as adhesion promoters in a broader sense, but these generally do not have the same adhesion-promoting ability.

[0306] In view of the widely varying physical and chemical properties of substrates and printing inks, coating compositions and paints intended, for example, for their printing or coating, the diversity of adhesion promoter systems is not surprising.

[0307] 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, for example, from Hüls under the trade name commercially.

[0308] The corresponding technical information from the manufacturer of such additives should generally be used, or this information can be obtained by the person skilled in the art in a simple manner by means of appropriate preliminary experiments.

[0309] However, if these additives are added as auxiliaries from group c7) to the polymerizable LC medium according to the invention, their proportion optionally corresponds to about 0 to 5.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymerizable LC medium. These concentration data are only for guidance, since the amount and identity of the additives are determined in each individual 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 such additives or can be determined in a simple manner by the person skilled in the art through appropriate preliminary experiments.

[0310] Auxiliaries for improving scratch resistance in group c8) include, for example, the products obtainable from Tego mentioned above Rad 2100, Rad 2200, Rad 2500 and Rad 2700.

[0311] The data on the amounts given for group c3) also apply to these auxiliaries, 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.

[0312] Examples of other light, heat and / or oxidation stabilizers that may be mentioned are the following substances:

[0313] 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-di(octadecyl)-4-methylphenol, 2,4,6-tricyclohexylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxymethylphenol, nonylphenols having straight-chain or branched side chains, for example 2,6-dinonyl-4-methylphenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-(1'-methylundecan-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-di(dodecyl)thiomethyl-4-nonylphenol,

[0314] 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,

[0315] Tocopherols such as α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol and mixtures of these compounds, and tocopherol derivatives such as tocopheryl acetate, tocopheryl succinate, tocopheryl nicotinate and polyoxyethylene succinate tocopherol ester (“tocofersolate”),

[0316] 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,

[0317] 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,

[0318] 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,

[0319] 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,

[0320] 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-hydroxyphenylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine, 1,3,5-tris(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate, and 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate,

[0321] Benzylphosphonates, such as dimethyl 2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, diethyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, bis(octadecyl) 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, and bis(octadecyl) 5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzylphosphonate,

[0322] Acylaminophenols, such as 4-hydroxylauranilide, 4-hydroxystearanilide, and octyl N-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)carbamate,

[0323] Propionates and acetates of, for example, mono- or polyhydroxy alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, n-octanol, isooctanol, octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, N,N′-bis(hydroxyethyl)oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, and propionates and acetates of 4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane,

[0324] Amide propionates based on amine derivatives, such as N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hexamethylenediamine, N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)trimethylenediamine and N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hydrazine,

[0325] Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and ascorbic acid derivatives, such as ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl laurate and ascorbyl stearate, as well as ascorbyl sulfate and ascorbyl phosphate,

[0326] 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-toluenesulfonyl)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 diphenylamines, such as p,p′-di-tert-octyldiphenylamine, 4-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 di-alkylated tert-butyl / tert-octyldiphenylamines, mixtures of mono- and di-alkylated nonyldiphenylamines, mixtures of mono- and di-alkylated dodecyldiphenylamines, mixtures of mono- and di-alkylated isopropyl / isopropyldiphenylamines, mixtures of mono- and di-alkylated tert-butyldiphenylamines, 2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-4H-1,4-benzothiazine, phenothiazine, mixtures of mono- and di-alkylated tert-butyl / tert-octylphenothiazines, mixtures of mono- and di-alkylated 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,

[0327] Phosphines, phosphites and phosphonites, such as triphenylphosphine, triphenyl phosphite, diphenylalkyl phosphite, phenyldialkyl 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′-diphenylene diphosphonite, 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,

[0328] 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-tertamyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3,5'-bis-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, the following mixtures: 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-octyloxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-5'-[2-(2-ethylhexyloxy)carbonylethyl]-2'-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-octyloxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-5'-[2-(2-ethylhexyloxy)carbonylethyl]-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-dodecyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole and 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-isooctyloxycarbonylethyl)phenylbenzotriazole, 2,2'-methylenebis[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-6-benzotriazol-2-ylphenol]; the fully esterified product of 2-[3'-tert-butyl-5'-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)-2'-hydroxyphenyl]-2H-benzotriazole with polyethylene glycol 300;

[0329] Sulfur-containing peroxide scavengers and sulfur-containing antioxidants, such as esters of 3,3'-thiodipropionic acid, e.g., lauryl, stearyl, myristyl and tridecyl esters, mercaptobenzimidazole and zinc salts of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole, zinc dibutyldithiocarbamate, di(octadecyl) disulfide and pentaerythritol tetrakis(β-dodecylmercapto)propionate,

[0330] 2-hydroxybenzophenones, such as 4-hydroxy, 4-methoxy, 4-octoxy, 4-decyloxy, 4-dodecyloxy, 4-benzyloxy, 4,2',4'-trihydroxy and 2'-hydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy derivatives,

[0331] 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,

[0332] 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, and sterically hindered amines such as bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate, bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) succinate, bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate, bis(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate, bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)-n-butyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylmalonate, the condensation product of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine and succinic acid, the condensation product of N,N′-bis(2,2,6,6-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-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl) 2-n-butyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)malonate, 3-n-octyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-dione, bis(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate, bis(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) succinate, the condensation product of N,N′-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) hexamethylenediamine and 4-morpholino-2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine, the condensation product of 2-chloro-4,6-bis(4-n-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)-1,3,5-triazine and 1,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane, the condensation product of 2-chloro-4,6-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.A mixture of 5-decane-2,4-dione, 3-dodecyl-1-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione, 3-dodecyl-1-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidin-4-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione, 4-hexadecyloxy- and 4-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, a condensation product of N,N′-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-cyclohexylamino-2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine, a 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, a condensation product of 7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-2-cycloundecyl-1-oxa-3,8-diaza-4-oxospiro-[4.5]decane and epichlorohydrin, a condensation product of 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine with tetramethylolacetylene diurea and poly(methoxypropyl-3-oxy)-[4(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl)piperidyl]-siloxane.

[0333] Oxamides, such as 4,4′-dioctyloxyoxanilide, 2,2′-diethoxyoxanilide, 2,2′-dioctyloxy-5,5′-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2,2′-di(dodecyloxy)-5,5′-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2-ethoxy-2′-ethyloxanilide, N,N′-bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)oxamide, 2-ethoxy-5-tert-butyl-2′-ethoxanilide and its mixture with 2-ethoxy-2′-ethyl-5,4′-di-tert-butoxanilide, and mixtures of ortho- and para-methoxy-disubstituted oxanilides and mixtures of ortho- and para-ethoxy-disubstituted oxanilides, and

[0334] 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-octyloxyphenyl)-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.

[0335] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC medium comprises one or more specific antioxidant additives preferably selected from the series, such as antioxidants 1076 and 1010, available from Ciba, Switzerland.

[0336] In another preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC medium comprises one or more, more preferably two or more, photoinitiators, which are for example 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. The polymerizable LC medium preferably contains one or more oxime ester photoinitiators preferably selected from the following: commercially available OXE02 (Ciba AG), NCI 930, N1919T (Adeka), SPI-03 or SPI-04 (Samyang).

[0337] The concentration of the polymerization initiator(s) in the polymerizable LC medium as a whole is preferably 0.5% to 10%, very preferably 0.8% to 8%, and more preferably 1% to 6%.

[0338] Preferably, a given ratio exists between the concentration of the photoinitiator in the polymerizable LC medium and the concentration of all chiral compounds as a whole, and this ratio is in the range of 1:1 to 1:5, more preferably in the range of 1:1 to 1:4, and even more preferably in the range of 1:1 to 1:3.

[0339] In a preferred embodiment, the polymerizable LC medium is dissolved in a suitable solvent, which is preferably selected from organic solvents.

[0340] The solvent is preferably selected from ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl propyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone; acetates such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate 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 chloroform; 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.

[0341] When the polymerizable LC medium contains one or more solvents, the total concentration of all solids (including RM) in the solvent is preferably 10% to 60%.

[0342] Preferably, the polymerizable LC medium contains,

[0343] a) one or more di- or multi-reactive polymerizable mesogenic compounds,

[0344] b) optionally one or more mono-reactive polymerizable mesogenic compounds, which are preferably selected from compounds of formula MRM8, MRM9 and / or MRM10 and their corresponding sub-formulas,

[0345] c) In the case of a cholesteric polymer film, one or more chiral mesogenic compounds, which are preferably selected from compounds of formula CRA or CRB, more preferably CRB and compounds of its sub-formulas,

[0346] d) Optionally, one or more antioxidant additives,

[0347] e) Optionally, one or more adhesion promoters,

[0348] f) Optionally, one or more surfactants,

[0349] g) Optionally, one or more mono-reactive, di-reactive or poly-reactive polymerizable non-mesogenic compounds,

[0350] h) Optionally, one or more dyes that exhibit an absorption maximum at a wavelength used to initiate photopolymerization,

[0351] i) Optionally, one or more chain transfer agents,

[0352] j) Optionally, one or more other stabilizers,

[0353] k) Optionally, one or more lubricants and flow aids, and

[0354] l) Optionally, one or more diluents,

[0355] m) Optionally, a non-polymerizable nematic component,

[0356] n) Optionally, one or more organic solvents.

[0357] Alternatively, the polymerizable LC medium comprises,

[0358] a) One or more di-reactive or poly-reactive polymerizable mesogenic compounds,

[0359] b) Optionally, one or more mono-reactive polymerizable mesogenic compounds, which are preferably selected from compounds of formula MRM8, MRM9 and / or MRM10 and compounds of their corresponding sub-formulas,

[0360] c) In the case of a cholesteric polymer film, one or more chiral mesogenic compounds, which are preferably selected from compounds of formula CRA or CRB, more preferably CRB and compounds of its sub-formulas,

[0361] d) Optionally, one or more antioxidant additives,

[0362] e) Optionally, one or more adhesion promoters,

[0363] f) Optionally, one or more surfactants,

[0364] g) Optionally one or more mono-reactive, di-reactive or multi-reactive polymerizable non-mesogenic compounds,

[0365] h) Optionally one or more dyes which exhibit an absorption maximum at wavelengths used for initiating photopolymerization,

[0366] i) Optionally one or more chain transfer agents,

[0367] j) Optionally one or more other stabilizers,

[0368] k) Optionally one or more lubricants and flow aids, and

[0369] l) Optionally one or more diluents,

[0370] m) Optionally a non-polymerizable nematic component,

[0371] n) Optionally one or more organic solvents.

[0372] Optical components are generally prepared by a method comprising the following steps:

[0373] - Providing a layer of the polymerizable LC medium as described above and below onto a substrate which optionally has an alignment layer capable of inducing planar alignment of an adjacent layer of the polymerizable LC medium,

[0374] - Irradiating the layer stack with actinic radiation,

[0375] - Providing a layer of the cholesteric polymerizable LC medium as described above and below onto a substrate,

[0376] - Irradiating the layer stack with actinic radiation,

[0377] - Optionally removing the layer stack or the optical component from the substrate.

[0378] The coating order of the layers described above is not important for the optical effect to be achieved. However, the direction of light input into the optical component is a factor that must be considered when the optical component is applied to an optical or electro-optical device.

[0379] The polymerizable LC medium can generally be coated or printed onto the substrate, for example, by spin coating, printing or other known techniques, and the solvent is allowed to evaporate before polymerization. In most cases, it is suitable to heat the mixture to assist in the evaporation of the solvent.

[0380] The polymerizable LC medium can be applied to a substrate by conventional coating techniques such as spin coating, bar coating, or blade coating. The polymerizable LC material can also be applied to a substrate by conventional printing techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, 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 stamper or printing plate.

[0381] Suitable substrate media and substrates are known to those skilled in the art and are described in the literature, such as, for example, conventional substrates used in the optical film industry, such as 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 known color filter materials, particularly triacetyl cellulose (TAC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), or known color filter materials.

[0382] The Friedel-Creagh-Kmetz law can be used to predict whether the mixture will adopt planar or vertical alignment by comparing the surface energy (γ RM ) of the RM layer with the surface energy (γ s ) of the substrate:

[0383] If γ RM > γ s , the reactive mesogenic compound will exhibit vertical alignment. If γ RM < γ s , the reactive mesogenic compound will exhibit planar alignment.

[0384] Without being bound by theory, when the surface energy of the substrate is relatively low, the intermolecular forces between the reactive mesogens are stronger than the forces throughout the RM-substrate interface. Therefore, the reactive mesogens align perpendicular to the substrate (vertical alignment) in order to maximize the intermolecular forces. Accordingly, an additional alignment layer capable of inducing planar alignment with the adjacent polymerizable LC medium is required.

[0385] When the surface tension of the substrate is greater than the surface tension of the RM, the forces throughout the interface predominate. If the reactive mesogens align parallel to the substrate such that the long axis of the RM can interact with the substrate, the interfacial energy is minimized. Unidirectional planar alignment can be facilitated by coating the substrate with a polyimide layer and then rubbing the alignment layer with a velvet cloth. Other suitable planar alignment layers are known in the art, such as rubbed polyimides or alignment layers prepared by photoalignment, as described in US5,602,661, US5,389,698, or US6,717,644.

[0386] Generally speaking, 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 to 63. Further reviews of alignment materials and alignment techniques are given by J. Cognard, Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst. 78, Suppl. 1 (1981), pages 1 to 77.

[0387] In a preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises the following process steps, in which the polymerizable LC medium for the first or second polymer film or even both polymer films is allowed to stand for a period of time in order to redistribute the polymerizable LC medium uniformly over the substrate or the first polymer film (referred to herein as "annealing").

[0388] In a preferred embodiment, after the polymerizable LC medium has been provided to the substrate or the first polymer film, the layer stack is annealed for a duration between 10 seconds and 1 hour, preferably between 20 seconds and 10 minutes and most preferably between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Annealing is preferably carried out at room temperature.

[0389] In an alternative embodiment, annealing is carried out at an elevated temperature (preferably above 20 °C and below 120 °C, more preferably above 40 °C and below 100 °C and most preferably above 50 °C and below 80 °C).

[0390] In a preferred embodiment, after annealing at an elevated temperature, the layer stack is cooled to room temperature. Cooling can be carried out actively with the aid of a cooling aid or passively by simply allowing the layer stack to stand for a given time.

[0391] In a preferred embodiment, in a first UV step, the polymerizable LC medium is exposed to actinic radiation as described, for example, in WO 01 / 20394, GB 2,315,072 or WO 98 / 04651.

[0392] Actinic radiation means irradiation with light such as UV light, IR light or visible light, irradiation with X - rays or γ - rays, or irradiation with high - energy particles such as ions or electrons. Preferably, the first UV step is carried out by light irradiation, especially using UV light, especially using UVA light.

[0393] For example, a single UV lamp or a set of UV lamps can be used as the source of actinic radiation. When using a high lamp power, the curing time can be reduced. Another possible source for the optical radiation is a laser, such as a UV laser, an IR laser or a visible light laser.

[0394] The curing time in each step is individually and independently, in particular, dependent on the reactivity of the photo-reactive compound, the thickness of the coating layer, the power of the UV lamp and the selected wavelength. The curing time is preferably ≤5 minutes, very preferably ≤3 minutes, and most preferably ≤1 minute. For mass production, a short curing time of ≤30 seconds is preferred.

[0395] The suitable UV radiation power in each step is individually and independently and preferably in the range of 5 to 300 mW / cm -2 more preferably in the range of 50 to 250 mW / cm -2 and most preferably in the range of 100 to 180 mW / cm -2 within the range.

[0396] Related to the applied UV radiation and depending on time, the suitable UV dose in each step is preferably in the range of 20 to 1000 mJ / cm -2 more preferably in the range of 40 to 800 mJ / cm -2 and most preferably in the range of 40 to 500 mJ / cm -2 within the range.

[0397] The curing in each step is individually and independently and preferably carried out in air. However, the curing step is also preferably carried out in an inert gas atmosphere (such as preferably nitrogen).

[0398] The curing in each step is individually and independently and preferably carried out at a temperature of 1 to 70 °C, more preferably at 5 to 50 °C, even more preferably at 15 to 30 °C, and most preferably at room temperature.

[0399] The preferred thickness of each polymerized LC film according to the present invention is determined by the desired optical properties of the film or the final product.

[0400] For optical applications, the thickness of each in the polymer film is generally 0.5 to 10 μm, very preferably 0.5 to 5 μm, especially 0.5 to 3 μm.

[0401] After photopolymerization, the stack of layers of the resulting polymer film or the final optical component can be removed from the substrate and combined with other substrates or other optical films by a lamination process known to those skilled in the art. Suitable substrates and optical films are given above and especially include polarizers.

[0402] The optical component according to the present invention can be used in a display of a transmissive or reflective type, in particular, it can be used in a conventional OLED display or an LCD, especially in an OLED display.

[0403] The present invention is described above and below by specific 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.

[0404] Many of the compounds or their mixtures mentioned above and below are commercially available. 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), all of these compounds are known or can be prepared by methods known per se, specifically under reaction conditions known and suitable for the reaction. Variants known per se but not mentioned herein can also be used here.

[0405] It should be understood that the foregoing embodiments of the present invention can be changed 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 disclosed feature is merely an example of the broader concept of equivalent or similar features.

[0406] All features disclosed in this specification can be combined in any combination except in combinations where at least some of such 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 combined in any combination. Similarly, features described in non - essential combinations can be used separately (not in combination).

[0407] It should be understood that many of the features described above, especially the features of the preferred embodiments, are inventive in themselves and not merely as part of the embodiments of the present invention. Independent protection can be sought for these features in addition to or in place of any invention currently claimed.

[0408] The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the following working examples, which are illustrative only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0409] Examples

[0410] The polymerizable LC materials used

[0411] The following mixtures are prepared according to the table below:

[0412] Mixture M1:

[0413]

[0414]

[0415] Mixture M2:

[0416]

[0417] Irganox 1076 is a commercially available stabilizer (Ciba AG, Basel, Switzerland). NCI-930 is a commercially available photoinitiator (Adeka Coorporation, Japan). BYK-310 is a commercially available surfactant (BYK, Germany).

[0418] Each mixture was converted into a corresponding solution by dissolving the solids in a solvent blend of toluene: cyclohexanone (7:3) at a ratio of 30% by mass of the mixture M1 or M2 and 70% by mass of the solvent, respectively.

[0419] Application method:

[0420] While applying a moderately elevated temperature, each solution was homogenized. Subsequently, the solution of mixture M1 was spin-coated on a commercially available glass substrate coated with polyimide at 5000 rpm for 30 s. Then, the coated film was annealed on a hot plate at 60 °C for 60 seconds, and then cooled for 60 s by N 2 purge (20 l / min) via a circulator (20 °C). Curing was carried out at 10 m / min and 77% power (200 mJ / cm 2 ) using a high-pressure mercury lamp (LH6 fusion), while further applying N 2 purge. Then, the solution of mixture M2 was spin-coated on top of the polymer film 1 obtained from M1 at 4000 rpm for 30 s. The layer stack was annealed on a hot plate at 60 °C for 60 seconds, and then cooled for 60 s by N 2 purge (20 l / min) via a circulator (20 °C). Curing was carried out at 10 m / min and 77% power (200 mJ / cm 2 ) using a high-pressure mercury lamp (LH6 fusion), while further applying N 2 purge.

[0421] Optical results

[0422] The resulting optical component exhibits reverse optical dispersion. The retardation curve is close to the ideal quarter-wave retardation at all viewing angles and visible wavelengths. The coaxial dispersion is 0.870, and the dispersion value increases with the viewing angle and the corresponding angular dispersion curve is approximately symmetric. The retardation curves at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm, and 650 nm have all the characteristics of the planar-aligned polymer film of the optical component. At lower wavelengths, there is usually less retardation change with the incident angle.

[0423] The retardation curve (retardation [nm] / incident angle [°]), angular retardation (R450 / R550 / incident angle [°]), and optical dispersion (retardation [nm] / wavelength [nm]) are measured by ellipsometry.

[0424] Anti-reflection visual performance

[0425] An anti-reflection stack is produced by disposing the optical component between a reflective surface (such as the metal cathode of an OLED display) and a linear polarizer. The optical component according to the present invention exhibits many dark reflections as compared to a standard planar-aligned film such as described in WO2016 / 020035A1.

[0426] Conclusion

[0427] Combining the polymer films as described above produces a simulated chiral pitch. This allows controlling the final film dispersion and retardation to meet the anti-reflection requirements. Compared to a standard polymer film such as described in WO2016 / 020035A1, the spectral retardation matching of this optical component according to the present invention is closer to the ideal quarter-wave plate. There are also some improvements in the off-axis performance as compared to a single-film application that includes only one polymer film. The mixture utilized consists of positive-dispersion materials and does not require complex and expensive H-shaped or T-shaped LC molecules in order to achieve the desired effect of reverse or negative optical dispersion of the optical component. The material cost of this optical component is greatly reduced as compared to other reverse-dispersion application methods such as described in WO2016 / 020035A1, making this a potentially viable commercial alternative for anti-reflection production due to its simplicity and compatibility with high-volume production methods.

Claims

1. An optical component comprising two or more liquid crystal polymer films, wherein a first polymer film exhibits a homogeneous planar alignment of polymerized LC molecules and a second polymer film adjacent to the first polymer film exhibits a cholesteric alignment of polymerized LC molecules.

2. The optical component according to claim 1, wherein the second polymer film adjacent to the first polymer film exhibits a cholesteric alignment of the polymerized LC molecules having a 1 / 4 pitch rotation through the film thickness of the second polymer film.

3. The optical component according to claim 1 or 2, which exhibits an inverse or negative optical dispersion curve.

4. The optical component according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the polymer films is obtainable from a polymerizable LC material comprising one or more di- or poly-reactive mesogenic compounds.

5. The optical component according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the polymer films is obtainable from a polymerizable LC material comprising one or more di- or poly-reactive mesogenic compounds selected from compounds of formula DRM, P 1 -Sp 1 -MG-Sp 2 -P 2 DRM where 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 a rod-like mesogenic group selected from formula MG -(A 1 -Z 1 ) n -A 2 -MG where A 1 and A 2 each independently represent, in the case of multiple occurrences, 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 L is P-Sp-, F, Cl, Br, I, -CN, -NO 2 , -NCO, -NCS, -OCN, -SCN, -C(=O)NR x R y , -C(=O)OR x , -C(=O)R x , -NR x R y , -OH, -SF 5 , an optionally substituted silyl group, an aryl or heteroaryl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and a straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein one or more H atoms are optionally replaced by F or Cl, R x , R y , R 00 and R 000 independently of one another represent H or an alkyl radical having 1 to 12 C atoms, Z 1 which, when occurring multiple times, 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 , -OCH 2 , -CH 2 O-, -SCH 2 , -CH 2 S-, -CF 2 O-, -OCF 2 , -CF 2 S-, -SCF 2 , -CH 2 CH 2 , -(CH 2 ) n1 , -CF 2 CH 2 , -CH 2 CF 2 , -CF 2 CF 2 , -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, n1 is an integer from 1 to 10.

6. The optical component according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the polymer films is obtainable from a polymerizable LC material, wherein the concentration of the di- or poly-reactive mesogenic compounds in the polymerizable LC material is in the range of 5% to 70%.

7. The optical component according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the polymer films is obtainable from a polymerizable LC material comprising one or more mono-reactive mesogenic compounds.

8. The optical component according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of the polymer films is obtainable from a polymerizable LC material comprising one or more mono-reactive mesogenic compounds selected from the group of compounds of formula MRM, P 1 -Sp 1 -MG-R MRM where P 1 , Sp 1 and MG have the meanings given in DRM, R represents F, Cl, Br, I, -CN, -NO 2 , -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, -SF 5 , an optionally substituted silyl group, a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein one or more H atoms are optionally replaced by F or Cl X is a halogen, and R x and R y each independently is H or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 C atoms.

9. The optical component according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the polymer films is obtainable from a polymerizable LC material comprising one or more mono-reactive mesogenic compounds, and the concentration of all mono-reactive RM is from 1% to 80%.

10. The optical component according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, wherein the polymer film exhibiting the cholesteric alignment of the polymerized LC molecules is obtainable from a polymerizable LC material comprising one or more chiral mesogenic compounds.

11. The optical component according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, wherein the polymer film exhibiting the cholesteric alignment of the polymerized LC molecules is obtainable from a polymerizable LC material comprising one or more mono-reactive chiral compounds selected from the group of compounds of formula CRMa to CRMc, P 0* represents a polymerizable group P R is an alkyl, alkoxy, thioalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy group having 1 or more C atoms, preferably 1 to 15 C atoms, or is P 0* -(CH 2 ) o -X 2 - A 0 and B 0 which, in the case of multiple occurrences, are each independently of one another 1,4-phenylene which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 groups L as defined above, or trans-1,4-cyclohexylene X 1 and X 2 each independently is -O-, -COO-, -OCO-, -O-CO-O- or a single bond, Z 0* and Z 0 in the case of multiple occurrences are each independently -COO-, -OCO-, -O-CO-O-, -OCH 2 -, -CH 2 O-, -CF 2 O-, -OCF 2 -, -CH 2 CH 2 -, -(CH 2 ) 4 -, -CF 2 CH 2 -, -CH 2 CF 2 -, -CF 2 CF 2 -, -C≡C-, -CH=CH-, -CH=CH-COO-, -OCO-CH=CH- or a single bond, o are independently of each other 0, 1, 2 or 3, t is 0, 1 or 2, o is 0 or an integer from 1 to 12, a and v are 0, 1 or 2, z is 0 or 1, and wherein the naphthalene ring may additionally be substituted by one or more identical or different groups L, where Ls are, independently of one another, F, Cl, CN, halogenated alkyl having 1 to 5 C atoms, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy.

12. A method for producing an optical component according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, which comprises the following steps: - providing a layer of a polymerizable LC medium onto a substrate provided with an alignment layer capable of inducing planar alignment of an adjacent layer of the polymerizable LC medium, - irradiating the layer stack with actinic radiation, - providing a layer of a cholesteric polymerizable LC medium onto the polymer film obtained from the previous step, - irradiating the layer stack with actinic radiation, - optionally removing the layer stack or the optical component from the substrate.

13. Use of an optical component according to one or more of claims 1 to 11 in an optical or electro-optical device.

14. An optical or electro-optical device comprising an optical component according to one or more of claims 1 to 11.

15. The optical or electro-optical device according to claim 14, characterized in that it is an OLED display.

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