LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE SIDE-CHAIN POLYACRYLATES CONTAINING CHIRAL SULFOXIDE SUBSTITUENTS

A series of side-chain polyacrylates containing chiral, optically acti ve sulfoxide substituents was prepared by the enantioselective oxidati on of the corresponding prochiral polyacrylates containing prochiral s ulfide substituents. A chiral sulfonyloxaziridine was used as the oxid ant. The chemical modification was selective from chemical and stereoc hemical standpoints. The resulting polymers formed chiral nematic and/ or smectic phases with a slightly decreased propensity to give stable and persistent mesophases with respect to the parent sulfide containin g polymers.