SYNTHESIS, HELICITY, AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF MONOSACCHARIDE-CONTAINING POLY(PHENYLACETYLENE)S

Poly(phenylacetylene)s bearing monosaccharide pendant groups are synthesized in high yields by [Rh(nbd)Cl]₂ catalyst. The polymers have high molecular weights and give satisfactory spectroscopic data corresponding to their molecular structures. They are thermally quite stable (≥ 300°C) and show strong circular dichroism signals in the visible spectral region owing to the helicity of the polyene backbone. The monosaccharide-containing polyacetylenes are cytophilic and can stimulate the growth of living cells.