| Abstract: | The electrophoresis of poly-γ-benzyl-L -glutamate (PBLG), poly-L -alanine (PLA) and nylon dissolved in various solvents was studied in a glass cell containing three sintered glass partitions. After the passage of a measured amount of charge the concentration of PBLG remained constant in all four chambers when the helicogenic solvents dimethylformamide and ethylene dichloride were used, but in mixtures of ethylene dichloride and dichloroacetic acid and in trifluoroacetic acid, polypeptide migrated to the cathode. Electrophoresis also occurred with PLA in trifluoroacetic acid and with nylon in formic acid. Although the total charge on the polyion could not be determined, the results show beyond reasonable doubt that polypeptides and polyamides are protonated in the presence of moderately strong organic acids. |
