Methods of making polypeptides
Various embodiments disclosed relate to a method of forming a polypeptide. The method includes contacting a first amino acid-derived N-thiocarboxyanhydrosulfide monomer as a crystalline solid with a polymerization initiator (e.g., in an alkane suspension) to give a polypeptide product. The method further includes contacting the polypeptide product with a second amino acid-derived N-thiocarboxyanhydrosulfide monomer in an alkane suspension.
1. A method of forming a polypeptide comprising:
contacting an amino acid-derived N-thiocarboxyanhydrosulfide monomer with a polymerization initiator in a nonpolar solvent to give a polypeptide.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the N-thiocarboxyanhydrosulfide monomer has a structure according to Formula I:
wherein R represents an amino acid side-chain.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the amino acid side-chain is selected from the group consisting of glutamate, lysine, methionine, leucine, and combinations thereof.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymerization initiator is selected from the group consisting of a C 3 -C 6 alkyl amine, a C 4 -C 6 cyclic amine, a C 2 -C 5 heteroaryl, and combinations thereof.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the C 3 -C 6 alkyl amine is selected from the group consisting of butylamine, pentylamine, hexylamine, trimethylamine, and combinations thereof.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the C 4 -C 6 cyclic amine is selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine, and combinations thereof.
7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the C 2 -C 5 heteroaryl is selected from the group consisting of pyrrole, imidazole, pyridine, and combinations thereof.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymerization initiator is hexylamine.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nonpolar solvent comprises at least one alkane such that the contacting occurs as an alkane suspension of the amino acid-derived N-thiocarboxyanhydrosulfide monomer with the polymerization initiator.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one alkane is selected from the group consisting of pentanes, hexanes, heptanes, and combinations thereof.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one alkane comprises hexanes.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the contacting occurs at an interface of a solid amino acid-derived N-thiocarboxyanhydrosulfide monomer.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide is a homopolymer or a random copolymer of the monomer.
14. A polypeptide formed according to the method of claim 1 .