Enzyme‐catalyzed polymerization of L‐aspartate

Diethyl L ‐aspartate was polymerized by proteinase at a temperature between 4 and 50°C to yield poly(ethyl α,β‐L ‐aspartate). Bulk polymerization of diethyl L ‐aspartate, especially at temperatures between 40 and 50°C, and preferably using alkalophilic proteinase with the addition of a small amount of water gave poly(ethyl L ‐aspartate) as a white powder with a molecular weight of up to 3 600 and having about 88% α‐linkages.