An alternative decoupled model is proposed to account for the correlated in
ternal rotations in flexible alkyl chains of liquid crystals. Both gauche m
igration and gauche pair production in the chain are now taken into account
. Spectral densities of motion for deuterons on various atomic sites in the
chain are predicted and compared to the experimental values in the liquid
crystal 4-n-hexyloxy-4'-cyanobiphenyl. Transition rates for the chain dynam
ics are discussed in conjunction with overall rotational diffusion constant
s. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.