Living Polymerization of α‐Amino Acid N‐Carboxyanhydrides (NCA) upon Decreasing the Reaction Temperature

Summary : The n ‐hexylamine‐initiated polymerization of N ε ‐trifluoroacetyl‐ L ‐lysine N ‐carboxyanhydride in N , N ‐dimethyformamide was studied by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis. A polypeptide with a broad molecular weight distribution was obtained and side reactions were clearly identified for polymerization at room temperature. The possibility of living polymerization at 0 °C was demonstrated. Synthesis of living polypeptides by primary amine initiated polymerization of NCA at low temperatures. image Synthesis of living polypeptides by primary amine initiated polymerization of NCA at low temperatures.