Formation and Structure of Optically Active Camphor and Menthol Films Prepared by Plasma Polymerization

Abstract

Optically active d-camphor and 1-menthol membranes were prepared by plasma polymerization and their structures were investigated.
Thickness and specific rotatory po wer of the membrane were strongly dependent on the position of the substrate. The membrane was formed most rapidly at the edge of electrodes where current density is supposed to be the highest. Specific rotatory power of the membrane increased with increasing distance of the substrate from the electrode and the value of the membrane deposited in the after glow region was several times greater than that of the starting compound. The variation of specific rotatory power of these membranes was associated with substitution reaction of the groups bound to the optically active carbon.
¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, IR studies of these membrane were carried out and the possible structure of the membranes were discussed.