An optically isotropic liquid crystal composition is described. The liquid crystal composition contains an achiral component T and a chiral agent, contains at least one compound represented by formula (1) as a first component of the achiral component T, and exhibits an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase: wherein, for example, R1 is alkyl having 1 to 20 carbons; L1 to L8 are independently hydrogen or fluorine; Z1 to Z3 are each independently a single bond, —COO— or —CF2O—, but at least one thereof is —COO—; n1 and n2 are each independently 0 or 1; and X1 is halogen.