From the standpoint of the expression of an ND phase, RT is preferably RT2—O-Ph-COO—, RT2—(O—RT3)nT-O-Ph-COO—, or RT2—O-Ph-CH═CH—COO—, and more preferably RT2—O-Ph-COO—.
In terms of the expression of an ND phase, the triphenylene derivative expressed by General Formula T-I above is preferably a triphenylene derivative expressed by General Formula T-II below:
In General Formula T-II above, RT′ represents RT2—O-Ph-CO—, RT2—(O—RT3)nT-O-Ph-CO—, or RT2—O-Ph-CH═CH—CO—. RT2, Ph, RT3, and nT are defined the same as RT2, Ph, RT3, and nT in General Formula T-I above. Furthermore, concrete examples and preferred ranges of RT2, Ph, RT3, and nT in General Formula T-II above are also the same as those in General Formula T-I above.
It is more preferable if RT′ is expressed by one of General Formulas T-II-1 to T-II-5 below because the expression of an ND phase will be better: