Glycopolypeptides with a Redox-Triggered Helix-to-Coil Transition

Conformation-switchable glycopolypeptides were prepared by the living polymerization of glycosylated l-cysteine-N-carboxyanhydride (glyco-C NCA) monomers. These new monomers were prepared in high yield by coupling of alkene-terminated C-linked glycosides of d-galactose or d-glucose to l-cysteine using thiol–ene “click” chemistry, followed by their conversion to the corresponding glyco-C NCAs. The resulting glycopolypeptides were found to be water-soluble and α-helical in solution. Aqueous oxidation of the side-chain thioether linkages in these polymers to sulfone groups resulted in disruption of the α-helical conformations without loss of water solubility. The ability to switch chain conformation and remain water-soluble is unprecedented in synthetic polymers, and allows new capabilities to control presentation of sugar functionality in subtly different contexts.