Anti-bacterial compositions containing poly-beta-peptides and poly-beta-peptides from functionalized beta-lactam monomers

摘要

Disclosed is a method of making -polypeptides. The method includes polymerizing -lactam-containing monomers in the presence of a base initiator and a co-initiator which is not a metal-containing molecule to yield the product -polypeptides. Specifically disclosed are methods wherein the base initiator is potassium t-butoxide, lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (LiN(TMS)2), potassium bis(trimethyl-silyl)amide, and sodium ethoxide, and the reaction is carried out in a solvent such as chloroform, dichloromethane, dimethylsulfoxide, or tetrahydrofuran.