Circular dichroism (CD) of enantiomers of [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+) oriented in a octanoate-decanol-water lamellar liquid crystal has been measured parallel to the orientation axis. where the sample does not exhibit linear dichroism (LD). At an inclined incidence, the emerging LD shows that the chromophores have an along-chain orientation in the liquid crystal. The changes in the CD spectrum compared to an isotropic sample, in conjunction with CD calculations, allow us to assess the absolute configuration of the enantiomers and assign the CD bands to specific electronic transitions. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.