SYNTHESIS AND POLYMERIZATION OF SOME CHIRAL VINYL MONOMERS .1. PREPARATION OF VINYLBENZYL ESTERS OF AMINO-ACIDS

In this study we are interested in the synthesis of vinylbenzyl esters of amino acids. A method previously described in the literature has s ome disadvantages. We tried to find a better one. Three methods were t ested and four amino acids were used. The best one consists of alkylat ion with an alkyl halide. The yield for this synthesis reached 96%. In all the case the products obtained were characterized by IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopies. The optical purity of the products was determine d by polarimetry or by an NMR shift study. The ability of this type of monomer to polymerize and copolymerize was tested.