A chiral poly(3-substituted isobutyl D-aspartate) 12 was synthesized b
y polymerization of the chiral beta-lactam 11 derived from D-glycerald
ehyde. The new polyamide was characterized by elemental analyses, and
infrared, H-1- and C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. The
molecular weight was estimated as 543000 and 230000 on the basis of v
iscosimetric measurements and gel-permeation chromatography, respectiv
ely. Polyamide 12 is soluble in a variety of organic solvents includin
g chloroform.