Enzymatic Cascade Catalysis for the Synthesis of Multiblock and Ultrahigh‐Molecular‐Weight Polymers with Oxygen Tolerance

Abstract

Synthesis of well-defined multiblock and ultrahigh-molecular-weight (UHMW) polymers has been a perceived challenge for reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP). An even more formidable task is to synthesize these extreme polymers in the presence of oxygen. A novel methodology involving enzymatic cascade catalysis is developed for the unprecedented synthesis of multiblock polymers in open vessels with direct exposure to air and UHMW polymers in closed vessels without prior degassing. The success of this methodology relies on the extraordinary deoxygenation capability of pyranose oxidase (P2Ox) and the mild yet efficient radical generation by horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The facile and green synthesis of multiblock and UHMW polymers using biorenewable enzymes under environmentally benign and scalable conditions provides a new pathway for developing advanced polymer materials.