Study of optically active methacrylates containing 1,1′‐binaphthyl side‐groups polymerized by anionic,group transfer and free radical methods

Optically active and racemic poly(meth)acrylates with pendant 1,1′‐binaphthalene moiety of 2‐methacryloyloxy‐ and 2‐acryloyloxy‐2′‐methoxy‐1,1′‐binaphthalene (MAMBN and AMBN) were synthesized by anionic, group transfer and free radical polymerization methods. Their polymerizability and chiroptical properties are somewhat different, depending on the three types of polymerization methods used. The yields for poly(MAMBN)s are lower than for poly(AMBN)s. The optical rotation of the optically active polymers is identical to that of the corresponding monomers. The values of specific rotation of optically active poly(AMBN)s are much larger than those of optically active poly(MAMBN)s. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry