title: Polymerization of beta-amino acids in aqueous solution.
abstract: We have compared carbonyl diimidazole (CDI) and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDAC) as activating agents for the oligomerization of negatively-charged alpha- and beta-amino acids in homogeneous aqueous solution. alpha-Amino acids can be oligomerized efficiently using CDI, but not by EDAC. beta-Amino acids can be oligomerized efficiently using EDAC, but not by CDI. Aspartic acid, an alpha- and beta-dicarboxylic acid is oligomerized efficiently by both reagents. These results are explained in terms of the mechanisms of the reactions, and their relevance to prebiotic chemistry is discussed.
authors.affiliation: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, San Diego, CA 92186-5800, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Orgel
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D002234:Carbodiimides / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012996:Solutions; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D002234:Carbodiimides; D007093:Imidazoles; D009842:Oligopeptides; D011108:Polymers; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water; C074139:1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminoethyl)carbodiimide