Bifunctional compounds of the formula (I), ##STR1## in which: ##STR2## are naphthalene-2,6-diyl or ##STR3## is naphthalene-2,6-diyl or ##STR4## U, X, Y and Z are --CH.dbd., --CF.dbd. and --N.dbd., with the proviso that --CF.dbd. and --N.dbd. may each only be represented at most twice per six-membered ring, and that --CF.dbd. and --N.dbd. may not at the same time be represented twice in a six-membered ring;Hal is Cl, Br or I; or H, if X and/or Y are --CF.dbd.R.sup.3 is CH.sub.3 or OCH.sub.3l is 0 or 1m and n are 0, 1, 2 or 3.The compounds of the formula I are useful intermediates for the preparation of liquid-crystalline mixtures.