Optically active polymers containing side‐chain photochromic moieties. Synthesis and chiroptical properties of copolymers of trans‐N(4‐azobenzene)‐maleimide with (−)‐menthyl vinyl ether and (+)(S)‐2‐methylbutyl vinyl ether

The copolymers of trans‐N(4‐azobenzene)‐maleimide (ABM) with optically active alkyl vinyl ethers, such as (−)‐menthyl vinyl ether (MtVE) and (+)S‐2‐methylbutyl vinyl ether (MBVE), have been prepared either by direct copolymerization or by functionalization with trans‐4‐amino‐azobenzene of the corresponding alternating copolymers of maleic anhydride with MtVE and MBVE. The chiroptical properties of the above copolymers have been studied by CD measurements. The induced optical activity on the side‐chain trans‐azobenzene moieties is discussed in terms of different conformational rigidity of the macromolecules.