Thermosetting cholesteric oligocarbonates were prepared by polycondensation of mesogenic diphenols such as 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl (DHB) or hydroquinone 4-hydroxybenzoate (HQHB; system. name: 4-hydroxyphenyl 4-hydroxybenzoate) with methylhydroquinone and isosorbide. Trichloromethyl chloroformate served as condensing agent and propargyl alcohol (system. name of propargyl: 2-propynyl), 4-propargyloxybenzoyl chloride or 6-propargyloxy-2-naphthoyl chloride served as chain stoppers. Most oligocarbonates form a cholesteric phase over a broad temperature range. Depending on the mole fraction of isosorbide these oligocarbonates form Grandjean textures when sheared in the molten state.