a fluoroalkane derivative represented by the formula : ## str1 ## wherein r denotes an alkyl group having 1 - 16 carbon atoms , c * denotes an asymmetric carbon atom , r 1 denotes an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 - 16 carbon atoms ; ## str2 ## respectively denote a phenylene group ## str3 ## a cyclohexylene group ## str4 ## or a pyrimidinylene group ## str5 ## p is 0 or 1 , q is 0 or 1 when p is 1 , r is 0 or 1 ; and l , m and n are respectively 0 or a positive integer satisfying the relationship of l + m + n ≧ 1 . the fluoroalkane derivative has a fluorine atom providing a large dipole moment and directly connected to an asymmetric carbon atom , so that it provides a high speed responsive characteristic through an increased spontaneous polarization when contained in a liquid crystal composition , especially a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition .