. . . "preferably 3-14. ##STR83## wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are independently a linear or branched alkyl group having the formula Cn H2n+1 or a substituent group selected from the substituent groups mentioned in Examplification 1, in the case of a discotic liquid crystallline compound, at least one of R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 is an optically active substituent mentioned in Examplification 1, n is an int" . . . .