Abstract: Solidification of liquid crystalline compositions is retarded by incorporating therein compounds which are steroid derivatives of isostearyl carbonate. These novel carbonates which are quite stable to environmental factors such as ultraviolet light exposure, temperature changes, oxidation, etc., retard solidification of liquid crystalline compositions for extended periods of time. Moreover, these compounds, some of which of themselves exhibit color play, can be used in increasing amounts to increasingly narrow the color play range without noticeably decreasing the specular intensity of the color changes of liquid crystalline compositions.