Optical rotatory properties of synthetic polymers. I. Optical inversion of poly(propylene oxide)

Abstract

Abstract (+)‐1,2‐Diethoxypropane, a model diether for the repeating unit of poly(propylene oxide), was prepared, and its behavior in solutions regarding optical rotatory dispersion and proton magnetic resonance was compared with those of the polymer. It was found that the model compound and the poly(propylene oxide) show essentially the same optical properties in solutions. By using the Brewster model of optical activity, it was concluded that the solvation of the polymer may well modify the polarizability of the optically active species to cause changes in the order of the polarizabilities of four atoms directly attached to the asymmetric carbon atom. The explanation is shown to be applicable also to some of related polymers.