Optically active polymers. I. Polymerization of 4‐methyl‐7‐isopropyl‐2‐oxohexamethyleneimine

Polymerization of 4‐methyl‐7‐isopropyl‐2‐oxohexamethylèneimine (I) initiated by K ou Li was carried out at 150°C. in the presence of benzoyl chloride or the N ‐benzoyl derivative of I (II). The yield of the polymer was 11–25% over the course of 8–70 hr. The values of [η] in formic acid were 0.047–0.075. Optical activities of I, II, the polymers and the open chain monomer (III) were measured in formic acid.