ABSTRACT For the first time, a comprehensive study of the mesomorphic, physical and orientation properties of helical mesophases induced by partially acylated cyclodextrins was carried out. Using polarisation microscopy, the formation of a helical mesophase was established when a nematic mixture of polar 4-alkoxy-4’-cyanobiphenyls (CB-2) was doped with chiral 2,3-per-acetylated and 2,3-per-propionylated α- and β-cyclodextrins. The clearance temperatures and helical pitch were measured. The high efficiency of helix twisting under the influence of these dopants and an increase in the orientational order parameter of the liquid crystal matrix were ascertained. Using Haller’s extrapolation method for approximation the temperature dependences of birefringence a decrease in inverse helix pitch (1/p) upon heating was shown to be due to a reduction in the LC order parameter. Quantum chemical simulation of the acetylated α- and β-cyclodextrins structure and their solvates with 4-pentyloxy-4’-cyanobiphenyl was performed, and their interaction energies and dipole moments were calculated. The formation of inclusion compounds of LC molecules into the internal cavity of acylated CDs was established. The higher interaction energy and helical twisting power, as well as the least destabilisation of the mesophase were shown to be observed for β-cyclodextrin derivatives.
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