Synthesis of a novel polymeric carbohydrate via regio- and stereoselectivecyclopolymerization of 1,2 : 5,6-dianhydrohexitol

The selective cyclopolymerization of 1,2:5,6-dianhydrohexitols correspondin g to diepoxides was a new synthetic strategy for polycarbohydrates, though the polymer is a lack of the anomeric linkage which is found in the natural ly occurring polysaccharides. 1,2:5,6-Dianhydro-3,4-di-O-methyl-D-mannitol L-iditol, and D-glucitol were polymerized using t-BuOK and BF3. OEt2, to pr oduce the polymers consisting of five-membered rings. On the other hand, th e polymers consisting of six-membered rings were obtained by the cationic a nd anionic polymerizations of meso allitol and galactitol monomers, respect ively.