title: Synthesis of polypeptides by ring-opening polymerization of α-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides.
abstract: This chapter summarizes methods for the synthesis of polypeptides by ring-opening polymerization. Traditional and recently improved methods used to polymerize α-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) for the synthesis of homopolypeptides are described. Use of these methods and strategies for the preparation of block copolypeptides and side-chain-functionalized polypeptides are also presented, as well as an analysis of the synthetic scope of different approaches. Finally, issues relating to obtaining highly functional polypeptides in pure form are detailed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 61801, USA.
authors.forename: Jianjun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Deming
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D000812:Anhydrides / Q000737:chemistry*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002384:Catalysis; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000737:chemistry; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D058105:Polymerization; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D000812:Anhydrides; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010455:Peptides