Synthesis of optically active polymers with chiral units attached to rigid backbones and their application for asymmetric catalysis

Optically active ephedrine-bearing poly(phenylene)s have been synthesized by using the Suzuki coupling polymerization. Their application as polymeric chiral catalysts for asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes has been studied and good enantioselectivity was observed. The strategy to synthesize these optically active polymers is potentially useful in the design and synthesis of other polymeric chiral catalysts for asymmetric catalysis.