Preparation and characterization of novel optically active poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl ester) in nonaqueous medium using L-phenylalanine as a chiral material

In this investigation, poly(vinyl alcohol) was chemically modified by the introduction of different amounts of N-phthaloyl-l-phenylalanine. The modification was carried out by the reaction of PVA hydroxyl groups with (2S)-3-phenyl-2-phthalimidylpropanoyl chloride using N,N-dimethyl acetamide/lithium chloride as a reaction media. The novel copolymers obtained were characterized by spectroscopic techniques, elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction and thermal methods. Optical rotation and viscosities were also measured. The degree of esterification was determined by ¹H-NMR. The influence of reagent molar ratio on the degree of modification was also evaluated. The vinyl(3-phenyl-2-phthalimidopropanoate) content in the copolymer was attained up to 52%. Thermal stability of the copolymers was checked by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermogravimetric analysis. All copolymers displayed improved thermal stability compared to the parent polymer.