The preparation of poly(N-acetyl-α-amino acrylic acid) [poly(N-acetyl dehydroalanine)] and poly(α-amino acrylic acid) (polydehydroalanine)

Poly(N-acetyl-α-amino acrylic acid) was prepared by a free radical polymerization reaction. Mild alkaline hydrolysis of the polymer product yielded a second polymer poly(α-amino acrylic acid) (polydehydroalanine). Both polymers exhibited certain polyelectrolyte behavior, although the latter did not behave as expected for an amphoteric polyelectrolyte.