Chain conformation self-assembled molecules, chirality

Self-assembly of chiral molecules may result in organized aggregates displaying a remarkable enhancement of ophcal achvity. The best known examples are amino-acid residues that assume a periodic conformation - an a-helix or a p-sheet chain. In this case, the enhancement of optical activity is due to the onset of a parhcular rigid conformation. 

Cellulose and some derivatives form liquid crystals (LC) and represent excellent materials for basic studies of this subject. A variety of different structures are formed, thermotropic and lyotropic LC phases, which exhibit some unusual behavior. Since chirality expresses itself on the configuration level of molecules as well as on the conformation level of helical structures of chain molecules, both elements will influence the twisting of the self-assembled supermolecular helicoidal structure formed in a mesophase. These supermolecular structures of chiral materials exhibit special optical properties as iridescent colors, and... 

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