Chiral discrimination of racemic 2,2'-diamino-6-(octanoyloxymethyl)biphenyl and 2,3'-diamino-6-(octanoyloxymethyl)biphenyl in micelles formed either by N-alkyl-NN-dimethyl-N-(S)-(1-phenyl)ethylammonium bromide or sodium N-dodecanoyl-L-prolinate has been investigated by H-1 NMR spectroscopy. The rotational barrier of 2,3'-diamino-6-(octanoyloxymethyl)biphenyl has been evaluated by HPLC and by dynamic NMR. The rotational barrier of 2,3-diamino-6-(acetoxymethyl)biphenyl was evaluated by theoretical calculations and compared with the experimental data relative to its analogue. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.