POLYMERIZATION AND PROPERTIES OF OPTICALLY-ACTIVE ALPHA-(P-SUBSTITUTED BENZENESULFONAMIDO)-BETA-LACTONES

In the reported experiments, optically active alpha -(p-substituted benzenesulfonamido)- beta -lactones having as parasubstituents OME, Me, H, and Cl were polymerized in bulk, in ethyl acetate solution with triethylamine or betaine, and in dioxane with butyllithium as initiators. The rate of polymerization was followed by the change of specific rotation with time and was decreasing in following order or para substituents: OME greater than Me greater than H greater than Cl. The relative reactivity in logarithmic form was plotted against Hammett's sigma functions showing a linear relationship with reaction constant rho equals minus 0. 57.