The chain effect. Part III. Induction of secondary structure in copolymerizations

Studies of the properties of copolymers of N‐carboxy sarcosine anhydride with other N‐carboxy α‐amino acid anhydrides have shown that the secondary structure may be a function of the type of initiator used. In particular, when polysarcosine is the initiator, and the “chain effect” becomes possible, blocklike character appears in the copolymer. This is the result of selective and rapid polymerization of N‐unsubstituted N‐carboxy α‐amino acid anhydrides by the chain‐effect mechanism. In suitable circumstances, therefore, the latter may be used to induce order into copolymerizations of this type.