Abstract
We report a new strategy that uses N-trimethylsilyl (N-TMS) amine to mediate controlled ring-opening polymerization of amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs). This polymerization proceeds via a unique, trimethylsilyl carbamate (TMS-CBM) propagating group that results from the cleavage of the Si-N bond of N-TMS amine followed by NCA ring opening. Propagation of the polypeptide chains proceeds through the transfer of the TMS group from the terminal TMS-CBM to the incoming monomer followed by the formation of a new TMS-CBM propagating group. Formation of the TMS-CBM was confirmed by MS and NMR. Polypeptides formed by the N-TMS amine-mediated polymerization have the expected molecular weights, narrow molecular weight distributions, and controlled functional groups at the C-termini of the polypeptides.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 12562-12563 |
Number of pages | 2 |
Journal | Journal of the American Chemical Society |
Volume | 130 |
Issue number | 38 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 24 2008 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Catalysis
- Chemistry(all)
- Biochemistry
- Colloid and Surface Chemistry