Conformation of Poly-(L-lysine) Containing Some Azoaromatic Side Chains

The pH dependence of the conformation of poly-(L-lysine) with 4.6 mol% of its side chain amino groups attached to an azo dye, 4′ -dimethyl aminoazobenzene-4-carboxylic acid, has been studied. Circular dichroic spectra showed that in acidic as well as in neutral media the polymer exists in the random coil conformation, like that of poly-(L-lysine). In basic medium the polypeptide acquires a β-structure, unlike poly-(L-lysine) which exists in an α-helical conformation.