Room temperature polymerization of three naturally occurring bile acids, ch
olic, lithocholic and deoxycholic, was carried out using a mixture of diiso
propyl carbodiimide (DIPC), and a 1:1 salt of dimethyl amino pyridine and p
-toluenesulfonic acid (DMAP/PTSA). The corresponding polymers were characte
rized by IR, NMR, Thermal Analysis and X-ray diffraction. Molecular weights
were calculated by gel permeation chromatography in the range 50,000-60,00
0, using polystyrene standards. The polymers were also characterized by mas
s spectrometry, using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of f
light, MALDI-TOF.