Synlett 1999; 1999(5): 656
DOI: 10.1055/s-1999-5993
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Polyamino acids

Heike Gielen*
  • *Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 1999 (online)

Enzymes are among the most versatile catalysts for asymmetric synthesis concerning enantio- and substrate-selectivity. Polymers of simple amino acids are a first step towards the application of more comples synthetic polypeptide structures. Due to their insolubility, these catalysts can be efficiently removed and reused.

The Juliá-Colonna epoxidation provided the first highly enantioselective catalytic reaction using a polyamino acid as source of chirality. Recently, Roberts et al. replaced the original three-phase system comprising alkaline aqueous hydrogen peroxide by a non-aqueous two-phase system.

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