Abstract
The synthesis of poly-L-homocysteine (XII) from L-methionine as a starting material was investigated. L-Homocysteine derivatives; N,S-dibenzyloxycarbonyl-L-homocysteine (II), S-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-homocysteine (III) and S-benzyl-L-homocysteine (VI) were directly prepared from L-methionine and they were polymerized through the corresponding N-carboxyanhydride, respectively. Poly-L-methionine was easily converted into (XII) on reduction with sodium in liquid ammonia, but the polymers of (III) and (VI) were not completely reduced to (XII). Poly-L-homocysteine derivatives maintain an α-helical structure in contrast with the β-structure of poly-L-cysteine derivatives.
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Kawai, M., Noguchi, J. Poly-L-Homocysteine. Polym J 8, 158–166 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1295/polymj.8.158
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1295/polymj.8.158
