Polymerization of γ‐ethyl‐L‐glutamate‐N‐carboxyanhydride initiated by di‐n‐butyl and di‐isopropyl amine

The γ‐ethyl‐ L ‐glutamate NCA polymerization initiated by di‐ n ‐butyl and di‐isopropyl amine was studied. The experimental kinetic curves show an autocatalytic portion with 25–30% conversion, followed by a pseudo first‐order region which extends up to at least 85–90%. In this linear region, the reaction order appears to be 0.5 in initiator with both amines. High degrees of polymerization and high reaction rates were observed. These results are similar to those obtained in the γ‐benzyl‐ L ‐glutamate NCA polymerization initiated by sodium methoxide.