Research article

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A series of main-chain chiral polyketones have been synthesized through condensation polymerization of a dihalide and a diketone with optically pure binaphthyl moiety as linkage in the polymer backbone. The solubility of the polymers can be easily enhanced by substituents at the alpha position next to the carbonyl groups. Reducing the steric hindrance of the substituents in the monomers increases the reactivity of the polymerization. The chiral polymers exhibit large optical rotations. Circular Dichroism (CD) spectra of the polymers are similar to those of the corresponding monomers. The novel synthetic strategy may have great impact on future development of palladium catalyzed condensation polymerizations. The highly soluble chiral polymers synthesized allow for preparation of materials in the form of thin films and have potentials applications in various areas such as chiral separation and recognition.