Amplification of chirality in liquid crystals

Abstract

The amplification of molecular chirality by liquid crystalline systems is widely applied in investigations towards enantioselective solvent–solute interactions, chiral supramolecular assemblies, smart materials, and the development of liquid crystal displays. Here we present an overview of recent achievements in the development of new chiral dopant systems for the generation of cholesteric liquid crystalline phases. Based on a distinction between shape-persistent and bistable dopants, several dopant classes will be discussed.