Asymmetric induction radical copolymerization of optically active l-menthyl vinyl ether with vinylene carbonate and indene

The copolymerizations of l-menthyl vinyl ether (l-MVE) with the monomers vinylene carbonate (VCA) and indene (IN) were carried out in benzene with azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator to obtain optically active copolymers. The optically active l-menthyl residue from the copolymer main chain was removed using dry hydrogen bromide gas. After the ether cleavage reaction, the copolymers prepared (VA–VCA and VA–IN) were still optically active, and hence it was found that asymmetric induction had taken place in the copolymer main chain. The optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) and circular dichroism (CD) data of the original and ether-cloven copolymers were also determined.     

Asymmetric induction copolymerization. Cationic copolymerization of l-menthyl vinyl ether with indene and acenaphthylene

l-Menthyl vinyl ether (l-MVE) was homopolymerized and copolymerized with the monomers indene (IN) and acenaphthylene (ANp) by BF₃OEt₂ as a catalyst. The chiral menthyl substituent was cloven from the homopolymers and copolymers using dry-hydrogen bromide gas. After the removal of optically active menthyl group, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) from l-MVE homopolymer was optically inactive, and copolymers (VA-IN, VA-ANp) from l-MVE-IN and l-MVE-ANp copolymers were still optically active. Hence, in the case of l-MVE homopolymer, it was concluded that asymmetric induction in the polymer main chain can only produce pseudoasymmetry. In the case of l-MVE-IN and l-MVE-ANp copolymers, it was found that asymmetric induction proceeded in the copolymer main chain and was caused by the influence of chiral menthyl group.     

Radical copolymerization of optically active l-menthyl vinyl ether with maleic anhydride,dimethyl maleate,and dimethyl fumarate

The copolymerizations of l-menthyl vinyl ether (l-MVE) with the monomers, that is, maleic anhydride (MAn), dimethyl maleate (DMM), and dimethyl fumarate (DMFu), were undertaken to obtain optically active copolymers. The optically active l-menthyl group in the side chain of copolymers was removed by the ether cleavage reaction with dry-hydrogen bromide gas. The ethercloven copolymers were still optically active. Hence it was concluded that asymmetric carbon atoms were introduced into the copolymer main chain, the reason given being that l-MVE and comonomers (MAn, DMM, and DMFu) made the stereoselective charge-transfer complex one another and copolymerized stereospecifically. From the results of the measurements of optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) and circular dichroism (CD) for copolymers before and after the ether cleavage reaction, the mode of bond opening for α,β-substituted monomers (MAn, DMM, and DMFu) was discussed and the microstructures of copolymers were prepared.     

The effect of solvents on asymmetric induction cationic copolymerization of l-menthyl vinyl ether with indene

Cationic copolymerization of l-menthyl vinyl ether (l-MVE) with indene (IN) was carried out in several solvents with BF₃OEt₂ as catalyst at 0°C. The solvents used in this study were selected toluene (Tol), chloroform (CHCl₃), chlorobenzene (BzCl), 1,2-dichloroethane (EtCl₂), and nitrobenzene; (BzNO₂)/Tol = 65/35 mixture solvent. l-Methyl residue, which is an optically active side chain of copolymer produced by cationic copolymerization, was removed with dry hydrogen bromide gas by ether cleavage reaction. The copolymer [vinyl alcohol(VA)–lN], produced by the ether cleavage reaction, also showed optical rotation. From this result, therefore, it was concluded that asymmetric induction takes place in the copolymer main chain. The efficiency of asymmetric induction was determined by the measurement of optical rotation of VA–IN copolymer after the ether cleavage reaction. The efficiency of asymmetric induction in the copolymer main chain developed from the variation on polymerization solvents; the order was Tol > EtCl₂ > BzCl > CHCl₃ > BzNO₂/Tol (65/35) mixture solvent.     

Asymmetric Induction Copolymerization of Optically Active N-(1-Menthyl Carboxylatomethyl) Citraconimide with Methyl Methacrylate

Copolymerization of an optically active N-(1-menthyl carboxylatomethyl)citraconimide (MCMCI) was carried out with methyl methacrylate (MMA) with azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator in benzene at 50°C. All the copolymers obtained were optically active. After the removal of the optically active menthyl group, the hydrolyzed poly(MCMCI-co-MMA)'s still showed optical activity. The asymmetric induction to the copolymer main chain and the mechanism are discussed based on the measurements of optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism of the original and hydrolyzed copolymers.     

Effect of catalysts on asymmetric induction cationic copolymerization of l-menthyl vinyl ether with indene

Cationic copolymerization of l-menthyl vinyl ether (l-MVE) with indene (IN) was carried out with several catalysts in toluene (Tol) at 0°C. The catalysts used were BF₃OEt₂, CH₃COClO₄, and SnCl₄. l-Menthyl residue, an optically active side chain of the copolymer obtained, was removed with dry hydrogen bromide gas by the ether cleavage reaction. Ether-cloven copolymers [vinyl alcohol(VA)–IN] also had optical rotation. The efficiency of asymmetric induction to the polymer main chain was in the order of BF₃OEt₂ > CH₃COClO₄ > SnCl₄.     

Helix‐sense‐selective copolymerization of triphenylmethyl methacrylate with chiral 2‐isopropenyl‐4‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline

The asymmetric induction leading to a one‐handed helix was investigated in the anionic and radical copolymerization of triphenylmethyl methacrylate (TrMA) and (S)‐2‐isopropenyl‐4‐phenyl‐2‐oxazoline ((S)‐IPO), and highly isotactic copolymers with a reasonable optical activity were obtained. In the anionic copolymerization, the optical activity of the obtained copolymers depended on the polarity of solvents, and a highly optically active copolymer was produced in the copolymerization in toluene. The chiral oxazoline monomer functioned not only as a comonomer but also as a chiral ligand to endow the polymer with large negative optical rotation in the copolymerization with TrMA. The copolymers with small positive optical rotation were obtained in THF, indicating that IPO unit may work only as the chiral monomer that dictates the helical sense via copolymerization with TrMA. The isotacticity of the obtained copolymers depended on the contents of TrMA units in the copolymers, but was almost independent of the solvent for copolymerization. In the radical copolymerization, the obtained copolymers exhibited small optical activities. It seemed that the chiral monomer cannot induce one‐handed helical structure of TrMA sequences even if the sequences probably have a high isotacticity. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 441–447     

Stereoelective radical copolymerization of (RS)-α-methylbenzyl vinyl ether with (S)-(-)- or (R)-(+)-N-(α-methylbenzyl)maleimide

Racemic α-methylbenzyl vinyl ether was copolymerized with optically active (S)-(-)- or (R)-(+)-N-(α-methylbenzyl)maleimide using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile in order to examine the possibility of stereoelective radical polymerization of vinyl-type racemic monomers. The resulting copolymers were found to have almost alternating sequences of the two kinds of monomeric units. The non-polymerized α-methylbenzyl vinyl ether, recovered from the copolymerization system, showed an optical activity of opposite sign to the optically active comonomer used, indicating clearly that the co-polymerization process is stereoelective. It was confirmed that α-methylbenzyl vinyl ether preferentially incorporated in the copolymer has the same absolute configuration as the optically active N-substituted maleimide.     

Asymmetric radical copolymerization of S(−)-α-phenethylammonium butadiene 1-carboxylate with styrene

Radical copolymerization of S(?)-α-phenethylammonium butadiene 1-carboxylate (S-PBu) with styrene was performed in methanol, using azo-bis-isobutyronitrile as initiator. It was confirmed that the copolymers had trans 1,4 units of S-PBu; the copolymers after removal of chiral side chain were optically active. From CD spectra of the copolymers after removal of chiral amine from the side chain, it was found that the asymmetric induction occurred in the copolymer main chain. The copolymerization parameters of S-PBu were determined and are discussed.     

Optically active polymers containing side-chain photochromic moieties. Synthesis and chiroptical properties of copolymers of trans-N(4-azobenzene)-maleimide with (−)-menthyl vinyl ether and (+)(S)-2-methylbutyl vinyl ether

The copolymers of trans-N(4-azobenzene)-maleimide (ABM) with optically active alkyl vinyl ethers, such as (?)-menthyl vinyl ether (MtVE) and (+)S-2-methylbutyl vinyl ether (MBVE), have been prepared either by direct copolymerization or by functionalization with trans-4-amino-azobenzene of the corresponding alternating copolymers of maleic anhydride with MtVE and MBVE. The chiroptical properties of the above copolymers have been studied by CD measurements. The induced optical activity on the side-chain trans-azobenzene moieties is discussed in terms of different conformational rigidity of the macromolecules.     

Asymmetric interaction of optically active polymers with asymmetric small molecules. IV. Effect of hydrophobic groups on asymmetric interaction

In order to investigate the mechanism of the asymmetric interaction between optically active polymers and small molecules, optically active copolymers of N-acrylyl L-amino acids(N-acrylyl-L -phenylalanine, N-acrylyl-L -tryptophan, and N-acrylyl-L -leucine, respectively) and N,N′-hexamethylene diacrylylamide were synthesized, and interaction of these polymers with the optical isomers of phenylalanine and tryptophan was investigated. In the interaction of these acidic polymers with amino acids performed at pH 5.0, significant difference in amount of adsorption between the D and L isomers of amino acids were observed, and the L form of amino acids was adsorbed preferentially. The interaction between optically active small molecules was also investigated: these results showed a similarity to the results for interaction between optically active polymers and amino acids. In some instances of asymmetric interaction the influence of hydrophobic interaction between a polymer and substrate was clearly perceived. The stereoselective effects on the asymmetric interaction are discussed.     

Preparation and photochemical study of soluble optically active block copolymethacrylates and azo-containing random copolymethacrylates

A series of soluble optically active block copolymers of trityl methacrylate (TrMA) and cyclohexyldiphenylmethyl methacrylate (CHDPMA) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and n-butyl methacrylate (n-BuMA) were synthesized using the complex of 9-fluorenyllithium and (S,S)-(+)-2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-bis(dimethylamino)butane as an initiator in toluene at −78°C. Soluble optically active random copolymers derived from TrMA and azo methacrylates, 6-(4-phenylazophenoxy)hexyl methacrylate (PAHM) and 2-(4-phenylazophenoxy)ethyl methacrylate (PAEM), were obtained under similar anionic polymerization conditions. Optical activities of the copolymers largely depended on the weight percentage of TrMA or CHDPMA component in the polymer chains. Solubility and film formability were significantly improved for the copolymers. Irradiation of optically active TrMA–MMA and CHDPMA–MMA block copolymer films containing photoacid, diphenyl-p-tolylsulfonium triflate, causes the partial hydrolysis of bulky esters and results in the conformational randomization of helical chains, which in turn leads to a significant change in optical rotation of the films. Photoisomerization studies of azo-containing random copolymers indicate that the trans to cis isomerization induces the helical conformation racemization in solution. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Stereoelective cationic polymerization of propenyl ether by asymmetric catalysts

In order to elucidate the possibility of stereoelective cationic polymerization (asymmetric selective polymerization) of olefinic monomers, racemic cis- and trans-1-methylpropyl propenyl ether and racemic 1-methylpropyl vinyl ether were polymerized by asymmetric alkoxyaluminum dichlorides. In the polymerization of racemic cis-1-methylpropyl propenyl ether with (?)-menthoxyaluminum dichloride in toluene at ?78°C, the polymer obtained showed a positive optical activity, and the residual monomers were converted by BF₃OEt₂ into a polymer having a negative optical activity. Thus, the stereoelective polymerization of racemic cis-1-methylpropyl propenyl ether was beyond any doubt attained in homogeneous cationic polymerization. In the polymerization of the trans isomer by the same catalyst, an optically active polymer was hardly formed. In the polymerization of racemic 1-methylpropyl vinyl ether which has no β-methyl group, stereoelectivity was not observed at all. The cis-1-methylpropyl propenyl ether did not produce an optical active polymer in the polymerization catalyzed by (S)-1-methylpropoxyaluminum dichloride or (S)-2-methylbutoxyaluminum dichloride under the same polymerization conditions.     

Asymmetric selective copolymerization of propylene oxide with d-camphoric acid anhydride

The ring-opening copolymerization of propylene oxide with d-camphoric acid anhydride [α]_D ?3.4° was carried out with diethylzinc and triethylamine as catalysts. It was found that the products were alternating copolymers which were optically active. The optical rotatory dispersion curves were found to fit a simple Drude equation having a λ_c value of 201 mμ. The specific rotation increased with increasing intrinsic viscosity of the product. The propylene oxide recovered from the polymerization system was optically active. Its specific rotation increased with increasing polymerization time. It is thought that the asymmetric selective copolymerization of propylene oxide is caused by the influence of the optically active camphoryl group of the polymer end.     

Crystallization‐Driven Asymmetric Helical Assembly of Conjugated Block Copolymers and the Aggregation Induced White‐light Emission and Circularly Polarized Luminescence

Controlling the self‐assembly morphology of π‐conjugated block copolymer is of great interesting. Herein, amphiphilic poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐block‐poly(phenyl isocyanide)s (P3HT‐b‐PPI) copolymers composed of π‐conjugated P3HT and optically active helical PPI segments were readily prepared. Taking advantage of the crystallizable nature of P3HT and the chirality of the helical PPI segment, crystallization‐driven asymmetric self‐assembly (CDASA) of the block copolymers lead to the formation of single‐handed helical nanofibers with controlled length, narrow dispersity, and well‐defined helicity. During the self‐assembly process, the chirality of helical PPI was transferred to the supramolecular assemblies, giving the helical assemblies large optical activity. The single‐handed helical assemblies of the block copolymers exhibited interesting white‐light emission and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). The handedness and dissymmetric factor of the induced CPL can be finely tuned through the variation on the helicity and length of the helical nanofibers.     

Crystallization-Driven Asymmetric Helical Assembly of Conjugated Block Copolymers and the Aggregation Induced White-light Emission and Circularly Polarized Luminescence

Controlling the self-assembly morphology of π-conjugated block copolymer is of great interesting. Herein, amphiphilic poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block-poly(phenyl isocyanide)s (P3HT-b-PPI) copolymers composed of π-conjugated P3HT and optically active helical PPI segments were readily prepared. Taking advantage of the crystallizable nature of P3HT and the chirality of the helical PPI segment, crystallization-driven asymmetric self-assembly (CDASA) of the block copolymers lead to the formation of single-handed helical nanofibers with controlled length, narrow dispersity, and well-defined helicity. During the self-assembly process, the chirality of helical PPI was transferred to the supramolecular assemblies, giving the helical assemblies large optical activity. The single-handed helical assemblies of the block copolymers exhibited interesting white-light emission and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). The handedness and dissymmetric factor of the induced CPL can be finely tuned through the variation on the helicity and length of the helical nanofibers.     

Synthesis and chiral micellization behavior of optically active amphiphilic diblock copolymer bearing quinine pendants

A novel optically active amphiphilic diblock copolymer bearing quinine pendants poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐poly(glycidyl triazolyl‐L ‐quinine) (MPEO‐b‐PGTQ) was synthesized by “click” reaction of alkyne‐modified diblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐poly(glycidyl propargyl ether) (MPEO‐b‐PGPE) and 9‐N₃‐quinine. The structure and composition of copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR), elemental analysis and optical rotation measurements, which showed that the synthetic route could provide the copolymer with well‐defined composition and with similar optical activity compared to its parent quinine. The micellization behavior of this chiral copolymer was investigated in different solvent systems. The results from fluorescence spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, ¹H NMR and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy indicated that the MPEO‐b‐PGTQ could form regular chiral spherical micelles in H₂O and Tetrahydrofuran‐H₂O (10:90, V/V) systems, and the state of aggregated chiral micelles depended on the nature of the medium. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3640–3650, 2009     

Functionalized conducting polymers for chemical sensors – an in situ ESR/UV‐Vis‐NIR voltammetric study

The redox and optical properties of various well defined polymer and copolymer films containing pyrrole or thiophene units were studied. The in situ ESR/UV‐Vis‐NIR spectroelectrochemistry was applied to investigate polymers and copolymers deposited both electrochemically or by a special chemical procedure using adhesion promoter onto the optically transparent indium‐tin‐oxide (ITO) electrodes. The spectroelectrochemical responses of chemically and electrochemically prepared polythiophenes on ITO were compared and the electronic structures of both polymers found to be similar. In situ ESR/UV‐Vis‐NIR voltammetric studies on electrochemically prepared copolymers containing pyrrole units and various N,N′‐ethylene‐bis(salicylidenimine) (salen) transition metal complexes indicate the presence of both polysalen and polypyrrole redox active centers in the copolymer.     

Optically active polymers containing side-chain photochromic moieties: Synthesis and chiroptical properties of copolymers of trans-4-(phenylazo)-1-naphthyl acrylate and trans-4-(1-naphthylazo)-phenyl acrylate with (?)-menthyl acrylate

The synthesis of photochromic optically active copolymers from trans-4-(phenylazo)-1-naphthyl acrylate (PANA), or trans-4-(1-naphthylazo)-phenyl acrylate (NAPA), and (?)-menthyl acrylate (MtA) is described. The copolymers prepared, having different contents of trans-phenylazonaphthalene moieties, have been characterized by IR, ¹H-NMR, UV, and GPC techniques. The chiroptical properties have been investigated by circular dichroism (CD) and the induced optical activity on the side-chain trans-phenylazonaphthalene chromophores discussed in terms of different conformational situations of the macromolecules in both the copolymer series. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Optically active vinyl polymers containing fluorescent groups—7: The distribution of monomeric units in cationically prepared copolymers of 9-vinylcarbazole and (−)menthyl vinyl ether

u.v. Absorption, ¹H-NMR, fluorescence emission and circular dichroism spectra together show clearly that stereoregular copolymers obtained cationically from 9-vinylcarbazole and (?)menthyl vinyl ether have significant block-like character. In contrast to results for related optically active copolymers, plots of circular dichroism absorption intensity versus copolymer composition exhibit a pronounced maximum corresponding to a molar composition 20% 9-vinylcarbazole, 80% (?)menthyl vinyl ether. This maximum does not correspond, as expected, with the presence of isolated carbazole units in a chiral polymer environment.