POLYMERIZATION AND CONFORMATION OF N-CARBOXY ANHYDRIDE OF GAMMA-DODECYL L-GLUTAMATE IN MONOLAYER

The polymerization of the N-carboxy anhydride of γ-dodecyl L-glutamate in monolayer spread on water was examined. Polymerization was confirmed by the surface pressure-area isotherm for the monolayer and polarized infrared spectra of the L-B films. The presence of phosphate, bicarbonate, and acetate ions in the subphase gave a-helical poly(γ-dodecyl L-glutamate) by the polymerization in monolayer. The polypeptide consisting of a mixture of α-helix and β-form was formed by the presence of fluoride and bromide ions. The polymerization in monolayer spread on distilled water also gave polypeptide mixed α-helix and β-form, and their contents were dependent on the surface pressure of monolayer polymerization. Polarized infrared data suggested that there was an optimum condition for the polymerization in monolayer with respect to the packing and orientation of the monomer molecules at the interface. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.