Reversible helix sense inversion in surface-grafted poly(beta-phenethyl-L-aspartate) films

The reversible manipulation of the helix screw sense in surface-grafted poly(beta-phenethyl-L-aspartate) (PPELA) films by means of external stimuli was investigated. Ringopening polymerization of beta-phenethyl-L-aspartate N-carboxyanhydride initiated from primary amino-functionalized silicon and quartz substrates results in surface-grafted PPELA films in which the end-grafted polypeptide chains have a right-handed alpha-helical conformation. Upon annealing of the film at 150 degrees C for 30 min, a helix screw sense inversion takes place and the grafted chains adopt a left-handed pi-helical conformation. In the solid state, this left-handed pi-helical form is completely stable and cannot be changed by reheating and/or cooling. Upon immersion of the annealed grafted film in chloroform or other helicogenic solvents, the grafted polypeptide chains completely revert to their original right-handed alpha-helical form. Successive annealing and solvent treatment steps show that this helix sense inversion cycle can be repeated many times.