Abstract: 5-Methacryloyl- and 5-isobutyrylaminosalicylaldehydes (5a and 5b, respectively) and diastereomeric complexes of their Schiff bases with amino acids and Co(III): potassium L- and D-bis-[N-5-methacryloylaminosalicylidene-(S)-valinato]cobaltate(III) (6a, b), potassium L- and D-bis[N-5-isobutyrylaminosalicylidene-(S)-norvalinato]cobaltate(III) (7a, b), potassium L- and D-bis[N-5-methacryloylaminosalicylidene-(S)-norvalinato]cobaltate(III) (8a, b), have been synthesized. Copolymerization of 6-7a, b with acrylamide and N,N-methylenebis(acrylamide) leads to the formation of transparent hydrophilic gels in which the amino acid fragments preserve their ability of exchanging -hydrogen for deuterium in an alkaline medium. Comparison of the behaviour of polymer complexes (P)-7a and (P)-7b in the process of base-catalyzed epimerization with their monomer analogues 8a and 8b shows that their stereoselectivity substantially changes when one goes from 8a to (P)-7a. Such an effect may be explained by stabilization of the initial conformation of the complex molecule by the polymer matrix formed around the complex acting as a template.

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