Abstract
AbstractSyntheses and biodegradation of statistical copolymers of D,L‐lactide (D,L‐LA) with trimethylene carbonate (TMC), rac‐1‐methyltrimethylene carbonate (1‐MTMC) and 2,2‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (2,2‐DTMC) were investigated at various monomer ratios using SmMe(C5Me5)2THF as an initiator at 80 °C for 24 h in toluene. Biodegradations of poly(D,L‐LA‐co‐racemo‐1‐MTMC) (95/5) and poly(D,L‐LA‐co‐2,2‐DTMC) (98/2) with a compost at 60 °C proceed rapidly. Enzymatic degradations of these polymers were also performed using cholesterol esterase, lipoprotein lipase and proteinase K. Only poly(D,L‐LA‐co‐TMC) was biodegraded with cholesterol esterase, while poly(TMC), poly(1‐MTMC), poly(2,2‐DTMC) and poly(D,L‐LA) were barely degraded with these enzymes. Biodegradations of poly(D,L‐LA‐co‐TMC) (87/13) and poly(D,L‐LA‐co‐racemo‐1‐MTMC) (95/5) are rapid using proteinase K. Physical properties of these copolymers were also described.© 2003 Society of Chemical Industry
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
