1980 Volume 37 Issue 7 Pages 463-469
Optically active poly (trans-2-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid) was synthesized from optically active trans-2-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid via its p-nitophenyl ester hydrobromide. The relationship between the optical rotatory properties of the monomer and of the polymer was discussed in connection with their asymmetric structures. The monomer of (1R, 2R) configuration showed a negative molecular rotation [α] D20-95°in dichloroacetic acid, whereas the polymer showed a positive mean residue rotation [m] D20+94-+106°in the same solvent. The molecular model analysis and the optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) of the polymer have suggested that the polymer has an asymmetric secondary structure composed of a right-handed helix with respect to the polymer chain, whereas a left-handed helical conformation exists with respect to the trans-1, 2-disubstituted cyclohexane units. It has also been found that the dimers and trimers show molecular rotations which are consistent with the above assumption of the double helix model.
