Controllable shape selectivity based on highly ordered carbonyl and methyl groups in simple β-structural polypeptide on silica

Poly(L-alanine)-grafted Porous silica (Sil-Ala(22)) was prepared by polymerization of N-carboxyanhydride Of L-alanine initiated by 3-aminopropylated silica. The retention behaviors of the column packed with Sil-Ala(22) were investigated by using alkylbenzenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as injection samples in liquid chromatography. The Ala(22) phase was in a rigid beta-form structure and thus provided specific interaction sites, which were derived from the highly ordered carbonyl and methyl groups. These interaction sites bring unique molecular-shape discriminations: molecular-length and non-planarity selectivity, which are controllable by altering organic solvent used as a part of mobile phase. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.