CHIRAL IONBINDING IN AMPHIPHILIC CHOLESTERIC LIQUID-CRYSTALS

The chirality in three amphiphilic cholesteric liquid crystal samples, prepared from three different detergents each synthesised from a chir al precursor with the S configuration is investigated. Diaster-eoisome rs, resulting from the interaction of the D- and L-alanine enantiomers with the chiral micelle surface have been visualized using NMR. The s ign of the optical rotation in each sample is determined using a polar izing microscope. Laser diffraction twist measurements are also made. Inversions in the headgroup and in the alanine enantiomers configurati on in respect to chirality are discussed.