Self-Inductive Asymmetric Synthesis of Polyisocyanides in Liquid Crystal

Monomers grow by leaps and bounds in their enhanced environment. This study presents the synthesis of optically active polyisocyanides in a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) reaction field induced by itself and evaluates the liquid crystallinity of the resultant polymer and the magnetic orientation. Polymerization of a chiral isocyanide monomer in a chiral liquid crystal reaction field was performed. The chiral liquid crystal reaction field showing a fingerprint-like image under polarizing optical microscopy observations was prepared by adding a small amount of the chiral phenyl isocyanide with both monomer and chiral inducer functions for the formation of CLC from a nematic liquid crystal. Polymerization of the isocyanide monomer in the chiral liquid crystal reaction field prepared via chiral induction by itself produced poly(phenyl isocyanide) (PPI) with a one-handed helical structure. The asymmetric polymerization of the chiral monomer in CLC amplifies optical activity for the resultant polymer. The polymer thus prepared shows liquid crystallinity. Further, a magnetic orientation in the solvent vapor environment of the poly(phenyl isocyanides) was achieved. Synchrotron X-ray analysis evaluated the uniaxial orientation of PPI.

Automated summary

Monomers grow rapidly in an enhanced environment. This study synthesizes optically active polyisocyanides in a self-induced cholesteric liquid crystal reaction field and evaluates the resultant polymer's liquid crystallinity and magnetic orientation. By polymerizing a chiral isocyanide monomer in a chiral liquid crystal reaction field, a fingerprint-like pattern is observed. The resulting polymer, poly(phenyl isocyanide) (PPI), exhibits a one-handed helical structure and enhanced optical activity due to the chiral monomer's asymmetric polymerization in the liquid crystal reaction field. The PPI also shows liquid crystallinity and achieves magnetic orientation in a solvent vapor environment.