Can Polystyrene be Optically Active?

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Abstract
The first synthesis of optically active polystyrene with [α] as large as −3.5°was achieved by using an optically active template compound (D‐mannitol derivative containing two p‐vinylphenylboronic acid groups). This compound was copolymerized with styrene. The copolymer contains p‐dihydroxyboryl‐substituted distyrene diads of defined configuration, which are separated by atactic polystyrene segments. Reduction of the B(OH)2 groups affords polystyrene. In such an arrangement, approximately 25% of the diad centers are stereogenic and chirotopic (asymmetric), thus contributing to the optical rotation of the molecule.