PURPOSE: To obtain the subject new compound having a combination of both the optical activity and physiological activity inherent in amino acid, and useful as a starting material for polymers having liquid crystal disposition, biocompatibility and biodegradability, etc.
CONSTITUTION: This new compound, a leucine-alkyl ester isocyanate, is expressed by formula I (R1 is a 1-3C alkyl), e.g. L-leucine-methyl ester isocyanate. In this case, the leucine may be L-leucine or D-leucine. The compound of formula I is obtained, for example, by reaction between a leucine-alkyl ester of formula II and phosgene. The compound of formula II is, in turn, obtained by reaction between leucine and an alcohol of formula R1OH (pref. methanol). The other objective leucine-alkyl ester isocyanate polymer is obtained by polymerizing the compound of formula I in the presence of an anionic polymerization initiator.
TAKADA TOSHIKAZU
MITA FUMIO
KUZUHA NOBORU
