Abstract
The preparation and characterization of α‐L‐glutamic acid oligomers with degree of polymerization (DP) up to 12 are described. The preparation of polymers with low DP corresponding to various A/I ratios (where A and I are monomer and initiator concentrations, respectively) with end groups blocked is given. The conditions of the fractionation, which separates the different oligomers by ion‐exchange chromatography, are discussed. Finally, the isolation from salt solutions of the pure acidic form is given. Each polymer obtained for a given A/I is characterized at the end of the polymerization by its molecular‐weight distribution. The average DP values calculated are compared to the A/I values; agreement is very good. Potentiometric behaviour during neutralization is obtained as a function of the degree of polymerization and the elaboration of the polyelectrolytic phenomenon is discussed.