chiral , nonracemic compounds of the general formula : ## str1 ## wherein n = 1 or 2 , y is a hydrogen , fluorine , chlorine or bromine atom , r &# 39 ; is an alkyl or alkoxy group having three to fifteen carbons , and r is an alkyl group having three to fifteen carbons , which are useful as ferroelectric liquid crystal components having high polarization are described . also described are compounds of the same general formula in which x is oh , which are useful as synthetic intermediates in the preparation of the flc components of the present invention .