Synthesis and Comprehensive Characterization of Amino Acid-Derived Vinyl Monomer Gels.

In this study, we report an easy synthetic pathway to vinyl monomers derivatized with amino acids. Tyrosine-, phenylalanine-, tryptophan-, leucine-, and methionine-based monomers were synthesized, and their polymerization in the presence of cross-linking agents led to the formation of amino acid-based gels. The nature of cross-linker, the time of polymerization, and the type of initiation (photopolymerization or thermopolymerization) were investigated.