Synthesis of water soluble and multi-responsive selenopolypeptides <i>via</i> ring-opening polymerization of <i>N</i>-carboxyanhydrides

Abstract

We report here the synthesis of water soluble selenopolypeptides via the ring-opening polymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides. The oligoethylene glycol-bearing selenopolypeptides are thermally responsive in aqueous solutions with tunable lower critical solution temperatures. The polymers can also undergo rapid and reversible helix-coil transitions upon responding to the added redox cycle.