Compositions of polymerizable liquid crystals, lcp network, use of the composition or the lcp network, and optical or electro optical device

Abstract

This invention relates to novel compositions comprising at least two anisotropic compounds of the following formulas. And liquid crystal mesh structures, films and electro-optic devices containing such components.

Description

Composition of Polymerizable Liquid Crystals The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising at least two different polymerizable anisotropic liquid crystal (LCP) compounds, formulations comprising such LCP compounds, and optical films comprising such LCP compositions. The optical films comprising the compositions according to the invention exhibit a reverse retardation pattern of polarized light in a wide wavelength band. Finally, the present invention relates to optically anisotropic articles comprising such compositions or optical films comprising such compositions, such as flat panel displays, TVs, smart phones, and tablet computers. Optical films (LCP films) prepared from curable LCP compounds are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and are used to prepare optical devices. Examples of optical films are retardation films or polarizers. A retardation film is a type of optical element that changes the polarization state of light passing through it. When light passes through a retardation film, the polarization direction of the light changes due to the birefringence and thickness of the film. A quarter-wave retardation plate converts linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light, and a half-wave retardation plate converts the vibration plane of linearly polarized light by 90°. Such retardation films can achieve the conversion of a specific monochromatic light such that λ / 4 or λ / 2 retardation occurs. However, known retardation films have the disadvantage that the transmitted polarized light is converted into colored polarized light. In addition, for polarized white light, there is a polarization state distribution corresponding to each wavelength. Therefore, it is impossible to achieve precise λ / 4 or λ / 2 retardation over the entire wavelength band. To improve such disadvantages, it is necessary to develop a retarder film having wavelength dispersion that is higher in long wavelengths than in short wavelengths. Another problem in the preparation of retardation films (also called retarders) is the preparation of high-performance films with a smaller material feed. Therefore, there is a need for new LCP compositions that can be used to prepare optical films that significantly reduce the aforementioned disadvantages as described above. The present invention addresses this need. Several anisotropic LCP compounds are known in the art, but there is still a need to develop novel LCP compounds with improved uniform conversion of polarized light in a wider wavelength range. A few examples of such anisotropic LCP compounds are disclosed in WO2012 / 147904, WO2016 / 104317, WO2017 / 043437, and JP2016 / 128403. The present invention encompasses compositions comprising at least two anisotropic LCPs, LCP network structures comprising such compositions, and optical and electro-optical devices comprising such compositions and such network structures, such as optical films. Compared with optical films comprising only one LCP, it has been demonstrated that optical films comprising such compositions are unexpectedly more effective in the conversion of polarized light. LCP films are usually manufactured by methods well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art. This involves coating an organic solution of a crosslinkable LCP or LCP composition onto a substrate provided with an alignment layer or onto a substrate previously treated by a rubbing technique. Alternatively, other alignment techniques for liquid crystals can be used. Subsequently, the organic solvent is removed to obtain a well-aligned solvent-free LCP layer, which is then crosslinked to fix the ordered structure of the liquid crystal properties. The required optical performance of such films critically depends on some physical parameters that the anisotropic LCP materials must satisfy simultaneously. Such properties are a low melting point or a low tendency to crystallize when cooled below the melting point (supercooling), good solubility in organic solvents, good miscibility with other TLPs, good alignment properties on the alignment layer, and the ability to form adjustable tilts outside the substrate plane that are substantially free of tilt domains and disclinations. A tilt domain is a region within the LCP film where the long axes of the LCP molecules form a tilt angle outside the substrate plane in the same magnitude but opposite directions. A disclination is the critical line of adjacent tilt domains where LCP molecules with opposite tilt angles are adjacent. These tilt domains and disclinations cause both interference in the uniform appearance of the film and non-uniform optical performance. A first object of the present invention is to provide a composition comprising at least two anisotropic LCP compounds as described by formula (I) and a formulation comprising at least one of such compounds and at least one additive and / or solvent. Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical film comprising such LCP compositions, a method for preparing the same, the use of the optical film as a retardation film for achieving uniform conversion of polarized light, and a device comprising such optical films and its manufacture. A first aspect of the present invention provides a composition comprising at least two anisotropic liquid crystal compounds of formula (I) with the proviso that the two liquid crystal compounds are different and comprise two different rings F, where ring F is selected from formulae (IIa), (IIb) or (IIc) as described below. A second aspect of the present invention provides a formulation comprising the LCP composition of the first aspect of the present invention and at least one solvent and / or additive. Furthermore, the present invention provides an LCP network structure comprising such compositions or LCP formulations, the use of such LCP compositions or formulations or LCP network structures, and an optical or electro-optical device comprising such compositions, formulations or network structures. In the compounds of formula (I), ring F is selected from the group consisting of the groups of formulae (IIa), (IIb) or (IIc) ; or wherein "*" represents the connection to the ring nitrogen atom of the compound of formula (I); and wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein one or more carbon atoms may be -O-, -COO-, -OCO-, -OOC-, -O(CO)O-, -N-, -NR a -, -CON-, -CO-R b , -NH-R c substituted, wherein R a is C 1 -C 12 alkyl, R b and R c are independently of each other a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or an organic group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms including at least one aromatic ring, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms. Preferably, Z is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. In the compounds of formula (I), (IIa), (IIb) and (IIc), R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are independently of each other selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C 1 -C 12 straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl chain, C 3 -C 12 alkenyl, C 1 -C 12 alkoxy, C 3 -C 12Alkenyloxy, -(CH 2 ) m -C(CH 3 ) 3 , NO 2 , CN, COR, -COOR, -OCOR, -CONR'R, -NR'COR, OCOOR, -OCONR'R, -NR'COOR, -F, -Cl, -CF 3 and -OCF 3 ; where m is an integer between 0 and 12; R is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C 1-18 alkyl, C 3-18 alkenyl having a double bond at the 3-position or higher, -(CH 2 ) p -C-(CF 3 ) 3 , CN and an unsubstituted or substituted benzene ring, where the substituents of the benzene ring are selected from the group consisting of: C 1 -C 6 a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl chain, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, -C-(CH 3 ) 3 , halogen, -CF 3 , NO 2 , CN, COR''', -COOR''', -OCOR''', -CONR''R''', -NR''COR''', OCOOR''', -OCONR''R''', -NR''COOR''', -F, -Cl, -CF 3 and -OCF 3; wherein R'' is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, lower alkyl, and lower alkenyl; R''' is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C 1-18 alkyl and C having a double bond at the 3-position or higher 3-18 alkenyl; p is an integer between 0 and 12; R' is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, and lower alkoxy; and wherein n is 0, 1, 2, or 3. Preferably, R 1 、R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkenyloxy, -F, and -CF 3 . Most preferably, R 1 、R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, -F, -C-(CH 3 ) 3 and -CF 3 . Y is selected from the group consisting of: H, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. Ring C and D are independently selected from the group consisting of: phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, cycloalkyl, preferably cyclohexyl, bicycloalkyl, preferably bicyclohexyl, and . Preferably, ring C and D are selected from cyclohexyl and benzene ring. In one aspect of the present invention, ring C is cyclohexyl and ring D is phenyl. In another aspect, both ring C and D are benzene rings. Substituents X 1 and X 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C 1 -C 12A straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl chain, a substituted or unsubstituted C 3 -C 12 A straight-chain or branched-chain alkenyl and C 1 -C 12 An alkoxy group, wherein one or more carbon atoms may be replaced by -O-, -COO-, -OCO-, -OOC-, -O(CO)O-, -N-, -NR a -, -CON-, where R a Is C 1 -C 12 An alkyl group; or a substituent X 1 And X 2 Are each independently represented by a group of formula (III) (Formula III). In the group of formula (III), n is an integer between 0 and 24, wherein one or more carbon atoms may be replaced by -O-, -COO-, -OCO-, -OOC-, -O(CO)O-, -N-, -NR a -, -CON-, where R a Is C 1 -C 12 An alkyl group. In the group of formula (III), the substituent PG represents a polymerizable group selected from the group consisting of: CH 2 =C(Ph)-, CH 2 =CW-COO-, CH 2 =CH-COO-Ph-, CH 2 =CW-CO-NH-, CH 2 =CH-O-, CH 2 =CH-OOC-, Ph-CH=CH-, CH 2 =CH-Ph-, CH 2 =CH-Ph-O-, R b -Ph-CH=CH-COO-, R b -OOC-CH=CH-Ph-O- and 2-W-epoxyethyl; where W represents H, Cl, Ph or lower alkyl and R b represents lower alkyl, with the limitation that when R b is attached to a phenylene group (-Ph-), it can also represent hydrogen or lower alkoxy. Preferably, PG represents an acrylate group or a methacrylate group. Preferably, when rings C and D are each independently cyclohexyl or contain cyclohexyl, the substituent X 1 and X 2 are selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C 1 -C 12 straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl chains, substituted or unsubstituted C 3 -C 12 straight-chain or branched-chain alkenyl and C 1 -C 12 alkoxy. Preferably, if ring C or D is each independently an aromatic ring or contains an aromatic ring, more preferably, if C or D is each independently a benzene ring or contains a benzene ring, then the group of formula (III) is selected from and where n has the same meaning as given above or its corresponding methacrylate. The term "lower alkyl" should be understood to include C 1-6 achiral, branched-chain or straight-chain alkyl. Examples of lower alkyl that can be present in the compounds of the present invention include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl and similar groups. The term "lower alkenyl" should be understood to include C 3-6A non-chiral, branched or straight-chain alkenyl group, wherein the double bond is located at position 2 or higher. Examples of lower-carbon-number alkenyl groups that may be present in the compounds of the present invention include 2-propenyl, 3-butenyl, 3-isopentenyl, 4-pentenyl, 5-hexenyl, 4-hexenyl, and similar groups. The term "lower alkoxy" should be understood to include C 1-6 A non-chiral, branched or straight-chain alkoxy group. Examples of lower-carbon-number alkoxy groups that may be present in the compounds of the present invention include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, pentyloxy, hexyloxy, and similar groups. The term "lower alkenyloxy" should be understood to include C 3-6 A non-chiral, branched or straight-chain alkenyloxy group, wherein the double bond is located at position 2 or higher. Examples of lower-carbon-number alkenyloxy groups that may be present in the compounds of the present invention include 2-propenyloxy, 3-butenyloxy, 4-pentenyloxy, 5-hexenyloxy, and similar groups. The composition according to the first aspect of the present invention preferably contains at least one compound of ring F represented by formula (IIa). The polymerizable anisotropic LCP compounds of the present invention can be easily prepared using procedures well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and a few non-limiting procedures are provided in the examples. The starting materials are commercially available or can be easily prepared and are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. As used in the context of the present application, the anisotropic LCP compound material shall mean a liquid crystal material that includes liquid crystal monomers and / or liquid crystal oligomers and / or liquid crystal polymers and / or crosslinked liquid crystals. In the case where the liquid crystal material includes liquid crystal monomers, typically after anisotropy is generated in the LCP material, such monomers can polymerize, for example, due to contact with an alignment layer or by rubbing. Polymerization can be initiated by heat treatment and / or by exposure to actinic light (preferably including UV light). The anisotropic LCP-material can include only a single type of liquid crystal compound, but can also include additional polymerizable and / or non-polymerizable compounds, where not all compounds have to be liquid crystal compounds. If the anisotropic LCP material includes more than one anisotropic LCP of formula (I), then in the context of the present invention, this material is referred to as an LCP composition. In the context of the present invention, an LCP composition includes at least two anisotropic LCPs of formula (I). Additionally, the LCP composition according to the present invention can include one or more additional LCP compounds of any one of formula (I) or different LCP compounds not described by formula (I). The present invention also contemplates that the LCP composition can also include additional non-polymerizable compounds, such as dyes. In the case of an optical film, the anisotropic LCP monomers are applied on top of the photo-alignment layer or on top of the rubbed surface. After the alignment information of the photo-alignment layer or the rubbed surface has been transferred to the LCP monomers, the monomers are polymerized and / or crosslinked in order to cure the LCP material. The LCP composition according to the present invention overcomes the previously described disadvantages of the prior art LCP compounds. Another object of the present invention relates to a formulation comprising at least two anisotropic LCP compounds of formula (I) (LCP composition) and at least one solvent and / or additive. Additives can be selected from the following: antioxidants, initiators (such as photoinitiators), accelerators, dyes, inhibitors, activators, fillers, chain transfer inhibitors, pigments, antistatic agents, flame retardants, thickeners, thixotropic agents, surfactants, viscosity regulators, extender oils, plasticizers, tackifiers, catalysts, sensitizers, stabilizers, lubricants, dispersants, polymeric binders and / or monomeric compounds (which can be converted into polymeric binders by polymerization), or for emulsion coatings and printing inks, dispersion aids, hydrophobing agents, adhesives, flow improvers, defoamers, degassing agents, diluents, auxiliaries, colorants, dyes and pigments, cure inhibitors, chiral additives, isotropic or anisotropic fluorescent and / or non-fluorescent dyes, especially dichroic dyes and crosslinking agents. Solvents that can be used to prepare such liquid crystal compositions include (but are not limited to) acetone, cyclopentanone (CP), cyclohexanone (CH), methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), N-ethylpyrrolidone, N-vinylpyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, (AN), tetrahydrofuran (THF), 1,3-dioxolane (DXG), ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, butyl carbitol, ethyl carbitol acetate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethyl acetate (EA), 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate (MPA), γ-butyrolactone (BL), propylene glycol monoacetate, propylene glycol diacetate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The preferred solvents are cyclopentanone (CP), cyclohexanone (CH), methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), ethyl acetate (EA), 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate (MPA), 1,3-dioxolane (DXG), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). A crosslinking agent is a compound containing one or more complementary reactive units or polymerizable groups P, such as hydroxyl, thiol or amino groups, via which one or more reactive units or polymerizable groups can react with the PG of the anisotropic LCP of the composition according to the present invention. In order to maintain the liquid crystal phase, about 30 wt% or less of the crosslinking agent in the claimed composition is preferred based on the total weight of the polymerizable liquid crystal composition. In the context of the present invention, suitable compounds containing thiol as a reactive unit or polymerizable group P (referred to as polythiols) can be any of those compounds known in the art. As polythiols, any compound containing molecules having two or more thiol groups per molecule can be used. The molecular weight of the polythiol ranges from about 50 to about 20,000. Preferably, the polythiol is a monomeric aliphatic polythiol, oligomeric and polymeric polythiols. Preferred polythiols relate to difunctional, trifunctional, tetrafunctional or polyfunctional thiols. Preferred polymeric polythiols are, for example, polypropylene ether glycol bis(β-mercaptopropionate), which is prepared by esterification from polypropylene-ether glycol (e.g., Pluracol P201, Wyandotte Chemical Corporation) and β-mercaptopropionic acid. Poly α-mercaptoacetates or poly β-mercaptopropionates, especially the trimethylolpropane triester or the pentaerythritol tetraester, are preferred. Preferred alkyl thiol functional compounds are, for example, 1,2-dimercaptoethane, 1,6-dimercaptohexane, decamethylene dimercaptan and similar compounds. Thiol-terminated polysulfide resins can also be used. Preferred aliphatic dithiols include 1,2-ethanedithiol, butanedithiol, 1,3-propanedithiol, 1,5-pentanedithiol, 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol, dithioerythritol, 3,6-dioxa-1,8-octanedithiol, 1,8-octanedithiol, hexanedithiol, dithiodiglycol, pentanedithiol, decanedithiol, 2-methyl-1,4-butanedithiol, bis(mercaptoethyl)phenylmethane, 1,9-nonanedithiol (1,9-dimercaptononane), ethylene glycol dimercaptoacetate. Preferred oligomeric dithiols include bifunctional mercapto-functional urethane oligomers, which are derived from end-capping portions such as hydroxyethyl thiol, hydroxypropyl thiol, dimercaptopropane, dimercaptoethane as described in Shustack USP 5744514. Preferred trithiol functional compounds include trimethylolethane tris(mercapto-propionate), trimethylolpropane tris(mercapto-propionate) (TMPTSH), trimethylolethane tris(mercaptoacetate) and trimethylolpropane tris(11-mercaptoundecanoate), trimethylolpropane tris(11-mercaptoundecenoate). Preferred tetrafunctional thiols include pentaerythritol tetrakis(mercapto-propionate), pentaerythritol tetrakis(mercaptoacetate) and pentaerythritol tetrakis(11-mercaptoundecenoate). To increase the mechanical strength of the liquid crystal film or to increase the chemical resistance or both, it is preferred to add a compound having two or more polymerizable groups to the composition. To increase the adhesion of the film to the substrate, it is preferred to add a crosslinking agent having a polar group in the side chain and / or at one terminal position to the composition. Examples of such compounds are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and have been described in the prior art, as described, for example, in patent applications US 2017 / 0174992, WO 2018 / 099883 or WO 2008 / 077261. These crosslinking agents are generally capable of photopolymerization and include, for example, monofunctional, difunctional, and polyfunctional compounds containing at least one ethylenic double bond. Examples thereof are vinyl esters of carboxylic acids such as dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, and stearic acid; and vinyl esters of dicarboxylic acids such as succinic acid and adipic acid; allyl ethers and vinyl ethers of monofunctional alcohols such as dodecanol, tetradecanol, hexadecanol, and octadecanol, and methacrylates and acrylates; and diallyl ethers and divinyl ethers of difunctional alcohols such as ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol. Other examples include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, and itaconic acid, styrene, nucleus-substituted styrenes, acrylonitrile, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, vinylpyridine, N-vinylpyrrolidone, vinylsulfonic acid, vinyl esters of fatty acids, α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (where the alkyl group has 1 to 18 carbon atoms), hydroxyalkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (where the hydroxyalkyl group has 1 to 18 carbon atoms), aminoalkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid (where the aminoalkyl group has 1 to 18 carbon atoms), alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid containing ether oxygen (where the alkyl group containing ether oxygen has 3 to 18 carbon atoms), N-vinylacetamide, vinyl p-tert-butylbenzoate, N,N-dimethylamino vinyl benzoate, vinyl benzoate, vinyl pivalate, vinyl 2,2-dimethylbutyrate, vinyl 2,2-dimethylvalerate, vinyl 2-methyl-2-butyrate, vinyl propionate, vinyl stearate, vinyl 2-ethyl-2-methylbutyrate, dicyclopentyloxyethyl (meth)acrylate, isobutoxyethyl (meth)acrylate, isopropyl (meth)acrylate, adamantyl (meth)acrylate, dimethyladamantyl (meth)acrylate, dicyclopentyl (meth)acrylate, dicyclopentenyl (meth)acrylate, 2-acryloyloxyethyl succinate, 2-acryloyloxyethyl hexahydrophthalate, 2-acryloyloxyethyl phthalate, 2-acryloyloxyethyl-2-hydroxyethyl phthalate, 2-acryloyloxyethyl acid phosphate, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl acid phosphate, mono(meth)acrylate, polypropylene glycol having a degree of polymerization of 2 to 100 and terminated by di(meth)acrylate or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and mono(meth)acrylates of copolymers of polyethylene glycol with ethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide and the like are non-liquid crystal polymerizable compounds and are monofunctional compounds. Examples of bifunctional compounds are 1,4-butanediol diacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, 1,9-nonanediol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate, dimethylol tricyclodecane diacrylate, triethylene glycol diacrylate, dipropylene glycol diacrylate, tripropylene glycol diacrylate, tetraethylene glycol diacrylate, bisphenol A EO diacrylate, bisphenol A diglycidyl diacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, and methacrylate. Examples of trifunctional or higher-functional polyfunctional compounds: pentaerythritol triacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, trimethylol EO triacrylate, tris(acryloyloxyethyl) phosphate, tris(acryloyloxyethyl) isocyanurate, alkyl-modified dipentaerythritol triacrylate, EO-modified trimethylolpropane triacrylate, PO-modified trimethylolpropane triacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, alkyl-modified dipentaerythritol tetraacrylate, ditrimethylolpropane tetraacrylate, dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate, dipentaerythritol monohydroxy pentaacrylate, alkyl-modified dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate, isopentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri-(meth)acrylate, trimethylol EO tri-(meth)acrylate, tris(meth)acryloyloxyethyl phosphate, tris(meth)acryloyloxyethyl isocyanurate, alkyl-modified dipentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate, EO-modified trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, PO-modified trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate, alkyl-modified dipentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate, ditrimethylolpropane tetra(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol monohydroxy pentamethacrylate, and alkyl-modified dipentaerythritol pentamethacrylate. In addition, the present invention provides an LCP network structure comprising the composition or formulation according to the first and second aspects. The network structure may contain crosslinked and non-crosslinked anisotropic LCPs of formula (I). The present invention relates to an optical film comprising at least one of the anisotropic LCP compounds or compositions according to the present invention. Examples of the optical film are circular polarizer films used as antireflection films, which are produced by combining the optical film according to the present invention with a linear polarizer. An anisotropic LCP compound or a composition comprising an anisotropic LCP compound can be applied onto a support. The support can be rigid or flexible and can have any form or shape. In principle, it can be composed of any material. Preferably, the support comprises plastic, glass or metal or is a silicon wafer. In the case where the support is flexible, preferably the support is a plastic or metal foil. Preferably, the surface of the support is flat. For some applications, the support can comprise topographical surface structures (such as microscopic structures similar to microlenses or microprisms), or structures that exhibit sudden changes in shape, such as rectangular structures. Preferably, the support is transparent. The support can also be subjected to treatment before being coated with the anisotropic LCP compound according to the present invention. The support can move during the deposition of the anisotropic LCP compound or the composition comprising an anisotropic LCP compound. For example, a layer of an LCP mixture can be produced in a continuous roll-to-roll process by depositing a material composition onto a moving flexible foil which is preferably plastic or metal. Subsequently, the resulting film can be wound together with the support foil onto a reel, or the film can be released from the support and then wound as an independent film without the support. The support can have additional layers, such as a photoaligning layer, an organic layer, a dielectric layer or a metal layer. These layers can have different functions. For example, the organic layer can be coated as a primer layer which increases the compatibility of the material to be coated with the support. The metal layer can be used as an electrode, for example when used in an electro-optical device (such as a display), or can act as a reflector. The support can also be an optical element or device having certain functions, such as a substrate for an LCD, which can for example comprise thin film transistors, electrodes or color filters. In another example, the support is a device comprising an OLED layer structure. The support can also be a polarizer, such as a polarizing film or a sheet polarizer, a reflective polarizer, such as the commercially available Vikuity™ DBEF film. In the context of the present invention, a "photoaligning layer" is made of a material that can induce anisotropic properties, a photo-orientable material, after exposure to alignment light. Additionally, the term "photoaligning layer" refers to a layer that has been aligned by exposure to alignment light. For the present invention, the induced anisotropy must be such that it provides the ability to align an adjacent layer comprising, for example, an anisotropic LCP compound of formula (I). The term "alignment direction" will refer to the preferred direction induced in the adjacent layer, for example, the alignment direction is the direction in which the LCP compound will align. The photo-orientable material has a photo-orientable moiety that is capable of generating a preferred orientation and thus an anisotropic property after exposure to alignment light. Such photo-orientable moieties preferably have anisotropic absorption properties. Typically, such moieties exhibit absorption in the wavelength range of 230 nm to 500 nm. Preferably, the photo-orientable moiety exhibits absorption of light in the wavelength range of 300 nm to 450 nm, more preferably a moiety that exhibits absorption in the range of 310 nm to 380 nm. Preferably, the photo-orientable moiety has a carbon-carbon double bond, a carbon-nitrogen double bond, or a nitrogen-nitrogen double bond. For example, the photo-orientable moiety is a substituted or unsubstituted azo dye, anthraquinone, coumarin, phlobaphene, 2-phenylazothiazole, 2-phenylazobenzothiazole, stilbene, cyanostilbene, fluorostilbene, cinnamitrile, chalcone, cinnamate, cyanocinnamate, stilbazium, 1,4-bis(2-phenylethynyl)benzene, 4,4'-bis(arylazo)stilbene, perylene, 4,8-diamino-1,5-naphthoquinone dye, aryloxycarboxy derivative, aryl ester, N-aryl amide, polyimide, diaryl ketone having a keto moiety or a keto derivative combining two aromatic rings (such as substituted benzophenone, benzophenone imine, phenylhydrazone, and semicarbazone). The preparation of the anisotropic absorption materials listed above is well-known, as shown, for example, by Hoffman et al. (U.S. Patent No. 4,565,424), Jones et al. (in U.S. Patent No. 4,401,369), Cole, Jr. et al. (in U.S. Patent No. 4,122,027), Etzbach et al. (in U.S. Patent No. 4,667,020), and Shannon et al. (in U.S. Patent No. 5,389,285). Preferably, the photo-orientable moiety comprises arylazo, poly(arylazo), stilbene, cyanostilbene, cinnamate, or chalcone. The photo-orientable material can in particular be a monomer, oligomer, or polymer. The photo-orientable moiety can be covalently bonded, for example, within the main chain or side chain of a polymer or oligomer, or it can be part of a monomer or other non-polymerizable compound. The photo-orientable material can further be a copolymer comprising different types of photo-orientable moieties, or it can be a copolymer comprising side chains with and without photo-orientable moieties. Polymers include, for example, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyimide, polyurethane, polyamic acid, polyimide, poly-2-chloroacrylate, poly-2-phenylacrylate; unsubstituted or C 1 -C 6Linear or branched alkyl esters of alkyl-substituted polyacrylamide, polymethacrylamide, poly-2-chloropropacrylamide, poly-2-phenylpropacrylamide, polyether, polyethylene ether, polyester, polyvinyl ester, polystyrene derivative, polysiloxane, polyacrylic acid or polymethacrylic acid; Polyphenoxyalkyl acrylate, polyphenoxyalkyl methacrylate, polyphenylalkyl methacrylate having an alkyl residue of 1-20 carbon atoms; Polyacrylonitrile, polymethacrylonitrile, cycloolefin polymer, polystyrene, poly-4-methylstyrene or mixtures thereof. The photo-orientable material may also include photosensitizers such as coumarinone and benzophenone. In addition, preferred photo-orientable monomers or oligomers or polymers are described in U.S. Patents US 5,539,074, US 6,201,087, US 6,107,427, US 6,632,909 and US 7,959,990. Alignment of the LCP can be achieved by any other known method for aligning liquid crystals. For example, the support may have an alignment surface, which should mean that the surface has the ability to align liquid crystals. The support may have provided alignment without further treatment. For example, if a plastic substrate is used as the support, the plastic substrate may provide alignment on the surface due to the manufacturing method, such as extrusion or stretching of the substrate. The support can also be brushed or rubbed or imprinted with a directional microstructure to generate alignment ability. The steps of polymerizing the LCP compound and exposing it to the alignment light can be in any order. Polymerization can be initiated before or after exposure to the alignment light. Or polymerization and exposure can be carried out simultaneously. The LCP composition or formulation can be applied to the support by any suitable method, similar to extrusion, casting, molding, 2D or 3D printing or coating. Suitable coating methods are for example: spin coating, knife coating, doctor blade coating, contact roll coating, die coating, dipping, brushing, casting with a rod, roll coating, curtain coating, wire coating, spraying, dip coating, curtain coating, air knife coating, reverse roll coating, gravure printing type coating, metering rod (Merer bar) coating, slot die (extrusion) coating, roller coating, flexographic coating. Suitable printing methods include: screen printing, relief printing such as flexographic printing, inkjet printing, intaglio printing such as direct gravure printing or offset gravure printing, lithographic printing such as offset printing or stencil printing such as screen printing. Compared with the compositions and formulations of the prior art, the compositions and formulations according to the present invention exhibit an improved retardation pattern and contain only one LCP compound. The present invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting examples. These examples are provided for illustrative purposes only. Such variations falling within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Examples The following examples are provided to further illustrate and facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Example 1: [2-[(E)-[methyl(quin Synthesis of [[2-[(E)-[methyl(quinolin-2-yl)hydrazono]methyl]-4-(4-propylcyclohexanecarbonyl)oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate Compound 1. Synthesis of (3-formyl-4-hydroxy-phenyl) 4-propylcyclohexanecarbonyl: To a solution of 2,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (1.38 g, 10 mmol), trans-4-propylcyclohexane-carboxylic acid (1.79 g, 10.5 mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) (122 mg, 1 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (20 mL) was slowly added 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (EDC) (1.94 mL, 11 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 22 hours. The reaction mixture was quenched with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel using ethyl acetate / hexane to afford the title compound as a yellow solid (1.31 g, 45%). 1 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 10.90 (s, 1H), 9.85 (s, 1H), 7.31 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (dd, J = 9.1, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, 1H), 2.44-2.52 (m, 1H), 2.11-2.15 (m, 2H), 1.86-1.90 (m, 2H), 1.50-1.57 (m, 2H), 1.29-1.39 (m, 3H), 1.17-1.23 (m, 2H), 0.97-1.04 (m, 3H), 0.87-0.92 (m, 3H) Synthesis of [2-formyl-4-(4-propylcyclohexanecarbonyl)oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate: To a solution of (3-formyl-4-hydroxy-phenyl) 4-propylcyclohexanecarbonyl (1.3 g, 4.5 mmol), 4-(6-acryloyloxy-hex-1-yloxy)benzoic acid (1.38 g, 4.70 mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) (55 mg, 0.45 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (9 mL) was added 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (EDC) (0.87 mL, 4.93 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 5 h. The reaction mixture was quenched with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel using ethyl acetate / hexanes to afford the title compound as a beige oil (2.73 g) containing some impurities, which was used in the next reaction without further purification. [2-[(E)-[methyl(quin Synthesis of [2-[(E)-[methyl(quinolin-2-yl)hydrazono]methyl]-4-(4-propylcyclohexanecarbonyl)oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate Compound 1: To a solution of (±)10-camphorsulfonic acid (105 mg, 0.45 mmol) in [3-formyl-4-(4-propylcyclohexanecarbonyl)oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate (2.73 g, 4.5 mmol), 1-methyl-1-quin olin-2-yl-hydrazine (0.82 g, 4.7 mmol) and 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl radical (TEMPO-OH) (9 mg, 0.05 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (45 mL) was added. The resulting solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 24 h. The reaction mixture was quenched with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The title compound was obtained as a grey solid (1.61 g, 50%) after recrystallization from dichloromethane / hexanes. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 9.39 (s, 1H), 8.14 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, 2H), 7.90-7.92 (m, 2H), 7.85-7.86 (m, 1H), 7.75-7.77 (m, 1H), 7.67-7.71 (m, 1H), 7.52-7.56 (m, 1H), 7.39 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.20 (dd, J = 8.7, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.12 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 6.32 (dd, J = 17.2, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 6.17 (dd, J = 17.4, 10.5 Hz, 1H), 5.93 (dd, J = 10.3, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 4.07-4.13 (m, 4H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 2.11-2.15 (m, 2H), 1.72-1.84 (m, 4H), 1.61-1.68 (m, 2H), 1.37-1.54 (m, 7H), 1.271.35 (m, 3H), 1.16-1.21 (m, 2H), 0.95-1.04 (m, 2H), 0.87 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H). Example 2: Synthesis of [3-[(E)-(3-methylcarbazol-9-yl)iminomethyl]-4-[4-(6-prop-2-enyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyl]oxy-phenyl]4-(6-prop-2-enyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate Compound 2. Synthesis of [3-methyl-4-[4-(6-prop-2-enyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyl]oxy-phenyl]4-(6-prop-2-enyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate: Oxalyl chloride (2.5 mL, 29 mmol) was added dropwise to a solution of 4-(6-acryloyloxy-hex-1-yloxy)benzoic acid (6.98 g, 24 mmol) in 48 mL of anhydrous toluene, 4 mg of 4-methoxyphenol, and 1 mL of anhydrous DMF at 45 °C. After 2 h, the reaction mixture was cooled to 0 °C and added dropwise to a solution of 2,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (1.5 g, 11 mmol) in 40 mL of anhydrous DMA and N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine (7.8 g, 52 mmol) at 0 °C - 5 °C. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at ambient temperature. The orange solution was quenched by the addition of 15 mL of water, extracted with dichloromethane, and washed successively with water and brine, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated in vacuo. The title compound was obtained as a white solid (4.19 g, 56%) after recrystallization from dichloromethane / methanol. Synthesis of 9-amino-3-methylcarbazole: To a suspension of 3-methylcarbazole (4.8 g, 26.5 mmol) and potassium hydroxide (11.9 g, 212 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (53 mL) at 0 °C was added dropwise a solution of hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid (HOSA) (5.99 g, 53 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (106 mL) over 65 min. After the addition, the reaction mixture was quenched with water and extracted with ethyl acetate / hexane = 3 / 1. The organic phase was washed successively with water and brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as a beige solid (5.1 g, 98%). 1 H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 8.04 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (s, 1H), 7.54 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.41 (td, J = 7.7, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (dd, J = 8.2, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.12 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.76 (s, 2H), 2.46 (s, 3H). Synthesis of [3-[(E)-(3-methylcarbazol-9-yl)iminomethyl]-4-[4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyl]oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate, Compound 2: (±)-10-Camphorsulfonic acid (18.6 mg, 0.08 mmol) was added to a solution of the described [3-formyl-4-[4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyloxy]phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate (0.57 g, 0.83 mmol) and 9-amino-3-methylcarbazole (0.20 g, 1 mmol) in 8 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran under a nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 17 h. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was quenched with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and extracted twice with dichloromethane. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The title compound (0.42 g, 59%) was obtained as a beige solid after recrystallization from dichloromethane / hexane. 1 H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 9.14 (s, 1H), 8.23 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, 2H), 8.09-8.15 (m, 4H), 7.96 (s, 1H), 7.70 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.48-7.55 (m, 2H), 7.22-7.30 (m, 2H), 7.10-7.18 (m, 5H), 6.29-6.34 (m, 2H), 6.13-6.21 (m, 2H), 5.90-5.95 (m, 2H), 4.084.14 (m, 8H), 2.43 (s, 3H), 1.76-1.79 (m, 4H), 1.59-1.68 (m, 4H), 1.40-1.49 (m, 8H); MALDI- TOF (CHCA) 887.35 (M + +Na). Example 3: Synthesis of [2-[(E)-[1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl(hexyl)hydrazono]methyl]-4-(4-butylcyclohexanecarbonyl)oxy)phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate Compound 3. Synthesis of 1-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-1-hexyl-hydrazine: Charge a four-necked reactor with 2-hydrazinobenzothiazole (3.5 g, 0.020 mol) and 20 mL of DMF. Slowly add NaOH (1.25 g, 0.030 mol) under a nitrogen stream. After adding 1-bromohexane (4.05 g, 0.024 mol), heat the mixture to 60 °C for 4 hours. After completion of the reaction, cool the reaction mixture to 25 °C and add it to 200 mL of water and 100 mL of heptane. Filter the precipitate to obtain 2.45 g of a white solid. Synthesis of (3-formyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) 4-butylcyclohexanecarboxylate: A solution of DCC (22.9 g, 0.11 mol) in 60 mL of dichloromethane was added dropwise to a cooled mixture of 2,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (13.95 g, 0.1 mol), trans-4-butylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid (19.55 g, 0.105 mol), and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (1.25 g, 0.01 mol) in 180 mL of dichloromethane. Stir the reaction mixture overnight at ambient temperature. Via Hyflo ® super Cell ® Filter the mixture and concentrate the solution under vacuum. Dissolve the residue in 250 mL of methanol and then cool the solution to 0 °C. Filter the precipitate and dry it under vacuum at 40 °C to obtain 20.3 g of an off-white solid. Synthesis of [4-(4-butylcyclohexanecarbonyloxy)-2-formylphenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate: Add DCC (12.5 g, 0.060 mol) to a cooled mixture of (3-formyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) 4-butylcyclohexanecarboxylate (15.2 g, 0.050 mol), 4-(6-prop-2-enyloxyhexyloxy)benzoic acid (16.95 g, 0.055 mol), and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.6 g, 0.005 mol) in 175 mL of dichloromethane. Stir the reaction mixture overnight at ambient temperature and then via Hyflo ® super Cell ® Filter. Concentrate the resulting solution in vacuo. Dissolve the residue in 350 mL of methanol and then cool the solution to 0 °C. Filter the precipitate and dry it under vacuum at 40 °C to obtain 20.1 g of a white solid. Synthesis of [2-[(E)-[1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl(hexyl)hydrazinylidene]methyl]-4-(4-butylcyclohexanecarbonyloxy)phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate Compound 3: DL-10-Camphorsulfonic acid (0.40 g, 0.0016 mol) was added to a yellow solution of (9.35 g, 0.016 mol) [4-(4-butylcyclohexanecarbonyl)oxy-2-formyl-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate and 1-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-1-hexyl-hydrazine (4.75 g, 0.019 mol) dissolved in 120 mL of THF. The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. After addition of ethyl acetate, the solution was washed with 5 wt% sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. After recrystallization from methanol, 11.2 g of the title compound as an off-white solid was obtained. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 8.15 (d, 2H), 7.81 (m, 2H), 7.58 (m, 2H), 7.42 (d, 1H), 7.32 (t, 1H), 7.25 (dd, 1H), 7.14 (m, 3H), 6.334 (dd, 1H), 6.18 (dd, 1H), 5.93 (d, 1H), 4.19 (t, 2H), 4.12 (m, 4H), 2.58 (tt, 1H), 2.12 (d, 2H), 1.92 - 0.80 (m, 32H), 0.72 (t, 3H). Example 4: Synthesis of [3-[(E)-(3,6-dimethylcarbazol-9-yl)iminomethyl]-4-[4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyl]oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate Compound 4. Synthesis of 9-amino-3,6-dimethylcarbazole: To a suspension of 3,6-dimethylcarbazole (1.88 g, 9.6 mmol) and potassium hydroxide (8.6 g, 154 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (19 mL) at 0 °C was added dropwise a solution of hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid (HOSA) (2.17 g, 19.2 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (38 mL) over 10 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature, quenched with water and extracted with a 1:2 mixture of ethyl acetate / hexane. The organic phase was washed successively with water and brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by flash silica column chromatography using a 1:4 mixture of ethyl acetate / hexane to afford the title compound as a white solid (1.7 g, 85%). 1 H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 7.82 (s, 2H), 7.42 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.23 (dd, J = 8.2, 1.4 Hz, 2H), 5.70 (s, 2H), 2.45 (s, 6H). Synthesis of [3-formyl-4-[4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyl]oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate: Oxalyl chloride (2.5 mL, 29 mmol) was added dropwise to a solution of 4-(6-acryloyloxy-hex-1-yloxy)benzoic acid (6.98 g, 24 mmol) in 48 mL of anhydrous toluene, 4 mg of 4-methoxyphenol and 1 mL of anhydrous DMF at 45 °C. After 2 h, the reaction mixture was cooled to 0 °C and added dropwise to a solution of 2,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (1.5 g, 11 mmol) in 40 mL of anhydrous DMA and N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine (7.8 g, 52 mmol) at 0 °C - 5 °C. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at ambient temperature. The orange solution was quenched by adding 15 mL of water, extracted with dichloromethane and washed successively with water and brine, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The title compound as a white solid (4.19 g, 56%) was obtained after recrystallization from dichloromethane / methanol. Synthesis of [3-[(E)-(3,6-dimethylcarbazol-9-yl)iminomethyl]-4-[4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyl]oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate: (±) 10-Camphorsulfonic acid (46.5 mg, 0.2 mmol) was added to a solution of [3-formyl-4-[4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyl]oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate (1.37 g, 2.0 mmol) and 9-amino-3,6-dimethylcarbazole (0.50 g, 2.4 mmol) in 20 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran under a nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 h. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was quenched with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The title compound as a beige solid (0.541 g, 74%) was obtained after recrystallization from dichloromethane / hexane. 1 H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 9.08 (s, 1H), 8.22 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, 2H), 8.14 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 8.12 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.90 (s, 2H), 7.59 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.53 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (dd, J = 8.7, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.14 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.08 (dd, J = 8.7, 1.4 Hz, 2H), 6.29-6.34 (m, 2H), 6.12-6.21 (m, 2H), 5.90-5.95 (m, 2H), 4.06-4.15 (m, 8H), 2.42 (s, 6H), 1.77 (td, J = 12.8, 6.6 Hz, 4H), 1.59-1.68 (m, 4H), 1.41-1.52 (m, 8H); MALDI-TOF (CHCA) 901.35 (M + +Na). Example 5: Preparation of an alignment layer using a photo-alignment material A glass substrate was spin coated with a photo-alignment composition (2% solid content of a photo-alignment polymer in cyclopentanone as described in the application example on page 40 of patent publication WO2012 / 085048). The film was dried at 80°C for 30 seconds and the resulting film thickness was about 100 nm. The film was then exposed to an alignment light with a wavelength of 250 mJ / cm 2 Collimated and linearly polarized UV (LPUV) light (280 nm-320 nm). The polarization plane is 0° relative to a reference edge on the substrate. Example 6: A 10.0 wt% solution of composition 1 was prepared by adding 5.618 wt% [3-[(E)-[methyl(quinoline) [[3-[(E)-(quinolin-2-yl)hydrazinylidene]methyl]-4-(4-propylcyclohexanecarbonyl)oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate Compound 1, 0.0075 wt% inhibitor 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (to prevent premature polymerization), 0.45 wt% photoinitiator Irgacure® Oxe 02 (manufactured by BASF), 0.45 wt% [3-(3-mercaptopropionyloxy)-2,2-bis(3-mercaptopropionyloxymethyl)propyl] 3-mercaptopropionate, 0.225 wt% Tego® flow 425, 8.25 wt% [3-[(E)-(3-methylcarbazol-9-yl)iminomethyl]-4-[4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyl]oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate Compound 2 were mixed in cyclohexanone and stirred well at room temperature until the solids were completely dissolved. The coating liquid was applied onto a glass plate with the alignment layer of Example 5 to form a liquid crystal film by spin coating. This film was dried on a temperature-controlled hot plate at 105 °C for 5 minutes. The sample was cooled to room temperature and then photopolymerized by irradiating with UV light from a mercury lamp for approximately 2 minutes under a nitrogen 2 atmosphere to fix the alignment state of the liquid crystal. The alignment quality of the liquid crystal in the film was detected by placing the film between two crossed polarizers and adjusted to obtain a dark state. If the dark state shows no defects and the liquid crystal is well-aligned, the alignment quality is defined as excellent. If the dark state has light leakage, the alignment quality is defined as good because of the non-uniform alignment of the liquid crystal. If the dark state has light leakage in some crystalline regions, the alignment quality is defined as medium. If the liquid crystal is not aligned in the absence of a dark state, the alignment quality is defined as poor. The obtained film of Example 6 exhibited very good alignment quality. Example 7: A 15.0 wt% solution of Composition 2 was prepared by mixing 9.3675 wt% of [3-[(E)-[methyl(quin 4-(6-(Allyloxy)hexyloxy)benzoic acid ester of [2-[(E)-[1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl(hexyl)hydrazono]methyl]-4-(4-propylcyclohexanecarbonyl)oxy-phenyl], 0.0075 wt% inhibitor 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 0.45 wt% photoinitiator Irgacure® Oxe 02, 0.45 wt% [3-(3-mercaptopropionyloxy)-2,2-bis(3-mercaptopropionyloxymethyl)propyl] 3-mercaptopropionate, 0.225 w% Tego® flow 425, 4.5 wt% 4-(6-(allyloxy)hexyloxy)benzoic acid ester of [3-[(E)-(3-methylcarbazol-9-yl)iminomethyl]-4-[4-(6-(allyloxy)hexyloxy)benzoyl]oxy-phenyl] were mixed in cyclohexanone and stirred well at room temperature until the solids were completely dissolved. A film was prepared as described in Example 6 and dried on a temperature-controlled hot plate at 105 °C for 5 minutes. The resulting film exhibited excellent alignment quality. Example 8: A 26.0 wt% solution of Composition 3 was prepared by mixing 21.4370 wt% 4-(6-(allyloxy)hexyloxy)benzoic acid ester of [2-[(E)-[1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl(butyl)hydrazono]methyl]-4-(4-butylcyclohexanecarbonyl)oxy-phenyl], 0.013 wt% inhibitor 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 0.45 wt% photoinitiator Irgacure® Oxe 03, 0.78 wt% [3-(3-mercaptopropionyloxy)-2,2-bis(3-mercaptopropionyloxymethyl)propyl] 3-mercaptopropionate, 0.390 w% Tego® flow 425, 2.6 wt% 4-(6-(allyloxy)hexyloxy)benzoic acid ester of [3-[(E)-(3-methylcarbazol-9-yl)iminomethyl]-4-[4-(6-(allyloxy)hexyloxy)benzoyl]oxy-phenyl] in cyclohexanone and stirred well at room temperature until the solids were completely dissolved. A film was prepared as described in Example 6 and dried on a temperature-controlled hot plate at 68 °C for 2 minutes. The resulting film exhibited excellent alignment quality. Example 9: A 35.0 wt% solution of Composition 4 was prepared by mixing 9.2075 wt% of [2-[(E)-[1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl(hexyl)hydrazono]methyl]-4-(4-butylcyclohexanecarbonyl)oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate, 0.0175 wt% of the inhibitor 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 0.7 wt% of the photoinitiator Irgacure® Oxe 03, 1.05 wt% of [3-(3-mercaptopropionyloxy)-2,2-bis(3-mercaptopropionyloxymethyl)propyl] 3-mercaptopropionate, 0.525 w% of Tego® flow 425, 3.5 wt% of [3-[(E)-(3,6-dimethylcarbazol-9-yl)iminomethyl]-4-[4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyl]oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate in cyclohexanone, and stirring well at room temperature until the solids were completely dissolved. The film was prepared as described in Example 6 and dried on a temperature-controlled hot plate at 70 °C for 2 minutes. The resulting film exhibited excellent alignment quality. Example 10: A 15.0 wt% solution of Composition 5 was prepared by mixing 11.2425 wt% of [2-[(E)-[1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl(hexyl)hydrazono]methyl]-4-(4-butylcyclohexanecarbonyl)oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate, 0.0075 wt% of the inhibitor 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 0.3 wt% of the photoinitiator Irgacure® Oxe 03, 0.3 wt% of [3-(3-mercaptopropionyloxy)-2,2-bis(3-mercaptopropionyloxymethyl)propyl] 3-mercaptopropionate, 0.150 w% of Tego® flow 425, 3.0 wt% of [3-[(E)-(3-methylcarbazol-9-yl)iminomethyl]-4-[4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyl]oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate Compound 2 in cyclohexanone, and stirring well at room temperature until the solids were completely dissolved. The film was prepared as described in Example 6 and dried on a temperature-controlled hot plate at 80 °C for 5 minutes. The resulting film exhibited excellent alignment quality. Example 11: A 15.0 wt% solution of Composition 6 was prepared by mixing 9.7425 wt% of [2-[(E)-[1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl(hexyl)hydrazinyl]methyl]-4-(4-butylcyclohexanecarbonyl)oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate, 0.0075 wt% of the inhibitor 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 0.3 wt% of the photoinitiator Irgacure® Oxe 03, 0.3 wt% of [3-(3-mercaptopropionyloxy)-2,2-bis(3-mercaptopropionyloxymethyl)propyl] 3-mercaptopropionate, 0.150 w% of Tego® flow 425, 4.5 wt% of [3-[(E)-(3-methylcarbazol-9-yl)iminomethyl]-4-[4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyl]oxy-phenyl] 4-(6-prop-2-enoyloxyhexyloxy)benzoate Compound 2 in cyclohexanone, and stirring well at room temperature until the solids were completely dissolved. A film was prepared as described in Example 6 and dried on a temperature-controlled hot plate at 77 °C for 5 minutes. The resulting film exhibited excellent alignment quality. Example 12: Comparative Example A 30.0 wt% solution of the comparative example was prepared by mixing 28.05 wt% of Compound 2, 0.15 wt% of the inhibitor 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 0.9 wt% of the photoinitiator Irgacure® Oxe 03, and 0.9 wt% of Tinuvin 123 in cyclohexanone, and stirring well at room temperature until the solids were completely dissolved. A film was prepared as described in Example 6 and dried on a temperature-controlled hot plate at 105 °C for 5 minutes. The resulting film exhibited excellent alignment quality. Example 13: The retardation of the samples described in Examples 6 to 11 was measured using an ellipsometer. Table 1 shows the results of the retardation of Compositions 1 and 2. Table 2 shows the results of the retardation of Compositions 3 to 6. The value Re 450 represents the retardation of the film at a wavelength of 450 nm, and the value Re 550 represents the retardation of the film at a wavelength of 550 nm, and the value Re 650 represents the retardation of the film at a wavelength of 650 nm. Table 1 Table 2 To improve the color, Re values higher than 1.00 and lower than 1.2 650 / Re 550The value is preferred. Additionally, Re below 0.90 450 / Re 550 The value is preferred. Table 1 shows the results of the retardation characteristics of liquid crystal compositions 1 and 2 containing one LCP from Group IIa and one LCP from Group IIb. Table 2 shows the results of the retardation characteristics of liquid crystal compositions 3 to 6 containing one LCP from Group IIa and one LCP from Group IIc. It was found that Re of the films from compositions 2 and 6 650 / Re 550 was significantly higher than that of the liquid crystal compositions of the comparative examples 650 / Re 550 , where Re 650 / Re 550 The value was up to 1.03. Additionally, compared with the Re 450 / Re 550 value of the comparative examples, the Re 450 / Re 550 values of compositions 2 to 6 were significantly reduced and reached values between 0.83 and 0.90. Compared with the comparative examples containing only one LCP compound, the new compositions according to the present invention exhibit improved retardation characteristics. None None

Claims

1. A composition comprising at least two anisotropic compounds of formula (I), wherein rings C and D are independently selected from the group consisting of phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, cycloalkyl, dicyclohexyl, and; ring E is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, biphenyl, and naphthyl; ring F is selected from the group consisting of groups of formula (IIa), (IIb), or (IIc); or wherein "*" denotes a cyclic nitrogen atom attached to the compound of formula (I); X1 and X2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C12 substituted or unsubstituted straight-chain or branched alkyl chains, C3-C12 substituted or unsubstituted straight-chain or branched alkenyl chains, C1-C12 alkoxy groups, and groups of formula (III). Where n is an integer between 0 and 24; and one or more carbon atoms may be substituted with -O-, -COO-, -OCO-, -OOC-, -O(CO)O-; and PG represents a polymerizable group selected from the group consisting of: CH2=CW-COO-, where W represents H, Cl, Ph, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl or hexyl; Y is selected from the group consisting of: H, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms; R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, or C1-C12 straight or branched alkyl chains; Z is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; the limiting condition is that in the first anisotropic compound, ring F has formula (IIb), and in the second anisotropic compound, ring F has formula (IIc).

2. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein rings C and D are independently selected from the group consisting of: phenyl, cyclohexyl, and .

3. As a component of request item 1 or 2, where n is an integer between 0 and 12.

4. As a component of request item 3, where n is an integer between 4 and 8.

5. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more carbon atoms in the group of formula (III) are substituted with -O-.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl or hexyl.

7. The composition of claim 6, wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or methyl.

8. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein ring E is phenyl.

9. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms.

10. The composition of claim 1, wherein PG represents an acrylate group or a methacrylate group.

11. The composition of claim 1, wherein the anisotropic compounds are in cross-linked or polymerized form.

12. An LCP mesh structure comprising any of the components described in claims 1 to 11.

13. Use of a component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 or an LCP mesh structure as claimed in claim 12 for manufacturing optical or electro-optical devices.

14. An optical or electro-optic device comprising any of the components of claims 1 to 11 or the LCP mesh structure of claim 12.