Polymerization of isocyanopeptides. Influence of stereochemistry and catalyst

Abstract

Polyisocyanopeptides are formed by the polymerization of monomeric species that consist of a peptide that is functionalized on the N-terminus with an isocyanide functionality: so-called isocyanopeptides. The helical polyisocyanopeptides have highly interesting properties and their conformation is stabilized by the presence of an extended hydrogen bonded network between the peptide side chains. This thesis describes the systematic investigation of the influence of the stereochemistry of the isocyanopeptide and the nature of the catalyst on the polymerization reaction as well as on the properties of the resulting polymers.