A New Thermal Polycondensation of Alanine in Molten Urea

Abstract Heating of alanine with urea afforded polyalanine containing a hydantoin ring at the N-terminal position. Molecular weight of the polymer was lower than 8000, as estimated by dialysis of the product. Molten urea was considered to facilitate spontaneous polymerization of alanine as well as to act as a dehydrating agent.