A liquid crystal ester has a structure: ##STR1## where X and Y are fluorine or hydrogen at least one being hydrogen, and Z is either:(a) ##STR2## where R.sub.2 is alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyloxy or alkoxycarbonyloxy(b) ##STR3## where R.sub.3 is an alkyl group. The ester may be prepared by a conventional esterification from the corresponding phenol ##STR4## and the corresponding acid chloride Z--COCl. The ester may be used in mixtures with other liquid crystal compounds for use in known electro-optic devices.