A series of chiral (arylmethy1ene) cycloalkanes was synthesized in racemic and optically active form to examine their suitability for incorporation in a liquid crystal-based optical switch. Irradiation of these compounds with UV light leads to their rapid photoracemization and, in some cases, their simultaneous destruction. The absorption spectra and circular dichroism spectra of these optically active compounds were determined. Chiral exciton ...
