Microspheres consisting of optically active helical substituted polyacetylenes: preparation via suspension polymerization and their chiral recognition/release properties.

Cross-linked microspheres consisting of optically active helical substituted polyacetylenes are reported. For preparing the microspheres, substituted polyacetylene copolymers with pendent polymerizable CC bonds are first prepared and then used as macromonomers to copolymerize with acrylates via suspension polymerization, providing cross-linked microspheres. The helical polymer segments render the microspheres with optical activity, whereas the acrylate-based polymers afford the swelling property. CD and UV-vis spectra demonstrate the optical activity of the microspheres. The microspheres preferably adsorb (R)-(+)-1-phenylethylamine, (R)-(+)-N-benzyl-1-phenylethylamine, and Boc-D-alanine, whereas released Boc-L-alanine rather more rapidly than its enantiomer.