A novel regioselectively substituted cellulose ether with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) side chains, 6-O-trityl-2,3-O-PEOcellulose (TPEOCELL), was synthesized and characterized. The polymer is a thermotropic liquid crystalline material and forms a right-handed chiral nematic phase which reflects visible light at room temperature. The effect of salt on its cholesteric liquid crystallinity was investigated with CD spectroscopy. It has been found that adding small amounts of LiCF3SO3 to TPEOCELL ([Li]/[O] < 0.0145) causes a significant untwisting of the cholesteric structure. The effects of other salts on the cholesteric properties of TPEOCELL were also examined.