Synthesis of block copolymers using end-functionalized polyacetylenes as macroinitiators

Polyacetylenes substituted with phenyl, N-tert -butoxycarbonyl- l -valine 4-anilide, and ( S )-1-(acetoxy)ethyl groups with number-average molecular weights ranging from 3800 to 13 500 were synthesized by the polymerization of the corresponding acetylene monomers using [{1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene}PdBr(C 6 H 4 - o -CH 2 OH)] as a catalyst. l -Lactide and γ-benzyl- l -glutamate N -carboxyanhydride were polymerized using the polyacetylenes as macroinitiators to obtain the block copolymers, some of which formed chiral secondary structures. A block copolymer consisting of helically twisted polyacetylene and α-helical peptide was successfully synthesized for the first time.