A process for preparing poly N-substituted beta-alanines with the steps of:combining in a Michael reaction approximately 1.0 to 1.2 moles of methyl acrylate with approximately one mole of one or more primary amines to produce an alkyl(beta-n-alkylaminopropionate) andheating the alkyl(beta-n-alkylaminopropionate) to a reaction temperature between approximately 100 and 200 degrees C. and simultaneously evacuating the alkyl(beta-n-alkylaminopropionate) to remove volatiles, thereby forming a poly N-substituted beta-alanine.
