title: A shape-persistent polymeric crystallization template for CaCO3.
abstract: Alanyl-alanine-derived poly(isocyanide)s possess a helical structure that persists even in aqueous media. These rigid macromolecules possess a regular distribution of carboxylic acid-terminated side chains which for the first time allows the study of the templating process involved in biomineralization using a shape-persistent polymeric template. It is demonstrated that in the case where the polymer derived from l-Ala-d-Ala is used the formation of apple core-type calcite crystals is controlled both by nucleation of the (01.1) face and subsequent adsorption of the polymer to the {hk.0} faces of the growing crystal. A small change in the secondary structure of the template that is introduced by using the polymer derived from l-Ala-l-Ala is directly reflected in the lower degree of control over the crystallization process.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Post Office Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jack J J M
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Donners
authors.forename: Roeland J M
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Nolte
authors.forename: Nico A J M
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Sommerdijk
mesh_terms: D000409:Alanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013698:Templates, Genetic
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D000409:Alanine