Methyl groups s.a. Hydrocarbon

The results collected in Table 5 suggest that hydrocarbon residues, especially aromatic groups, in the solvent are strongly responsible for the interaction with cis-(1+4). The position of the largest hydrocarbon residue apparently determines whether P- or M-[6]-helicene will be formed in excess. Replacement of the methyl group in (S)-ethyl lactate (b) by a phenyl group giving (S)-ethyl mandelate (d), increases the optical yield fivefold. 

Toluene is a clear, flammable, aromatic hydrocarbon liquid with a smell similar to benzene. It is also called methylbenzene, indicating that a methyl group has been added to one of benzenes carbon atoms. Toluene was first isolated by Pierre-Joseph Pelletier (1788—1842) and Philippe Walter (1810—1847) in 1837. The name toluene comes from the South American tree Toluifera balsamum. Henri-Etienne Sainte-Claire Deville (1818—1881) isolated toluene from the tree s gum, Tolu balsam, in 1841. 

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