A multi-component reaction (MCR) approach to the synthesis of highly diverse polymers with polypeptide-like features.

A new strategy for the combinatorial synthesis of new materials has been developed through the consecutive application of an Ugi 4CC reaction and a ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reaction. Norbornenyl aldehydes and carboxylic acids could be used in the Ugi MCR to give highly diverse monomers that were converted to the corresponding polymers by exposure to the second-generation Grubbs' catalyst. These polymers have structural features reminiscent of polypeptides and the process could be extended to the preparation of chiral materials.