Synthesis and polymerization of some chiral vinyl monomers .1. Preparation of vinylbenzyl esters of amino acids

In this study we are interested in the synthesis of vinylbenzyl esters of amino acids. A method previously described in the literature has some disadvantages. We tried to find a better one. Three methods were tested and four amino acids were used. The best one consists of alkylation with an alkyl halide. The yield for this synthesis reached 96%. In all the case the products obtained were characterized by IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopies. The optical purity of the products was determined by polarimetry or by an NMR shift study. The ability of this type of monomer to polymerize and copolymerize was tested.