Functional monomers and polymers. LXXI. Conformation and interaction studies of poly‐L‐lysine derivatives with pendant nucleic acid bases

Abstract Copolymers of L ‐lysine and L ‐lysine derivatives which contained nucleic acid bases substituted on the N ε position were synthesized by grafting nucleic acid derivatives onto poly‐ L ‐lysine. The conformation and interaction of these copolymers in solution were studied by using spectroscopic measurements. They existed in helical conformation at neutral pH values, and the polymer complex formation among them was examined by ultraviolet (UV) measurements in organic solvents. A decrease in the nucleic acid base content of the copolymers resulted in a decrease in helical structures and also in interactions with the polymer‐containing complementary bases.