Novel phenylcyclohexanes of the formula I ##STR1## in which n is 0 to 7, Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2 are H, or one of these radicals is alternatively CH.sub.3, r is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, A is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene or a single bond, X is F, Cl, --CF.sub.3, --CN, --OCF.sub.3 or --OCHF.sub.2, and Y and Z are each, independently of one another, H or F, with the proviso that, in the case where A is a single bond, Q.sup.1 =Q.sup.2 =H and simultaneously X=CN, Y and/or Z are F.