THE INTERACTIONS OF SMALL CHAIN SOLUTES IN NEMATIC SOLVENTS

We formulate the probability distribution of orientations and conforma tions of flexible chains by explicitly taking into account short range repulsions and el ectrostatic interactions with the solvent molecules . The theory is used calculate the segmental order parameters associat ed with proton NMR measurements on n-alkanes and to study the apparent shift of the gauche-trans energy in the nematic phase. The foundation of the modular description of chain ordering is investigated in the l ight of the above developments. Excluded volume and electrostatic effe cts on the conformation energy of dimethoxyethane are evaluated.