Generation of Oligopeptides with Homochiral Sequences by Topochemical Reactions within Racemic Crystals of Phenylalanine‐<i>N</i>‐carboxyanhydride

Abstract

Reactions within crystals: Homochiral oligo(phenylalanine)s (see MALDI-TOF mass spectrum) were obtained from a racemic monomer by utilizing a “zipperlike” mechanism in the solid state (see packing diagram). By generating such species within crystalline architectures, the formation of oligopeptides of up to 17 units in length is plausible.