Structure and orientation of small molecules dissolved in the liquid crystalline phases of CsPFO/water system by multinuclear NMR

Pyridine, L-alanine and L-phenylalanine dissolved in the liquid crystalline phases of the lyotropic system CsPFO/water are studied by means of (2)H, (13)C and (1)H NMR. The orientational order parameters of the solutes are determined in a wide temperature range, together with some relevant geometrical parameters. In particular, a prevailing conformation for L-phenylalanine interacting with the micelle is suggested and, for all solutes, convincing representations of their specific interactions with the micelle surface are inferred. From (19)F and (13)C NMR spectra in the nematic phase, the orientational order parameters for the perfluorooctanoate chain inside the micelles are estimated.