Living-like helix-sense-selective polymerization of an achiral substituted acetylene having bulky substituents

By using a new achiral phenylacetylene having bulky substituents as a monomer, living-like helix-sense-selective polymerization (HSSP) has been achieved. This is the first example of the HSSP of substituted acetylenes where the degree of polymerization was controlled. The resulting one-handed helical living polymer initiated polymerization of a second monomer to successfully yield a block copolymer.