Synthesis of peptide-based polymers by microwave-assisted cycloaddition backbone polymerization

The optimized reaction conditions for the Cu(I)-catalyzed N -> C polymerization of azido-phenylalanyl-alanyl-propargyl amide to yield either high molecular weight linear polymers or medium-sized cyclic polymers is described. These reaction conditions will be applied to tailor the synthesis, properties, and structure of biologically relevant peptide-based biopolymers.