Asymmetric Polymerization of Methacrylates

Abstract

Three different types of asymmetric polymerizaitons of methacrylates have been achieved successfully. Racemic α-substituted benzyl methacrylates were polymerized with a high e nantiomer-selectivity over 90% in the polymerization by (–) -sparteine-Grignard reagent complexes. Optically active polymethacrylates with nearly 100% one-handed helicity were obtained in the polymerization of such bulky esters as triphenylmethyl methacrylate with chiral anionic initiators. These chiral polymers were found to be very effective in separating the optical isomers under HPLC conditions. A very high enantiomer selection by the growing chain end with a stable helical structure was also attained in the polymerization of a bulky racemic monomer phenyl-2-pyridyl-o-tolylmethyl methacrylate. © 1987, The Society of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Japan. All rights reserved.