| Abstract: | Styrene homologues (styrene, α-methylstyrene, and β-methylstyrene) were copolymerized with oxygen to produce optically active copolymers in the presence of a chiral Co(II) (Schiffbase) complex. The absolute configuration of the carbon atom in the copolymer chain was determined by hydrogenolysis of the copolymer to phenylethanediol derivatives. In the cases of styrene and α-methylstyrene, (R)-(+)-1-phenylethanediol and (R)-(+)-2-phenyl-1,2-propanediol were preferentially formed, respectively. In the reaction of β-methylstyrene, the preferential formation of (1S, 2R)-(?)- and/or (1R, 2R)-(?)-1-phenyl-1,2-propanediol was observed. The chiral Co(II) (Schiff-base) complex seems to stabilize both the peroxy-and the peroxyalkyl radical. |
