Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of polyesters from anhydride derivatives involving dehydration

Abstract

Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of aliphatic polyesters has been achieved by using anhydride derivatives as starting substrate. Candida antarctica lipase efficiently catalyzed the dehydration reaction of polyanhydrides and glycols in toluene, yielding the corresponding polyesters. Effects of the reaction parameters on the polymer yield and molecular weight have been systematically investigated. The dehydration reaction also proceeded in water and supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2). The reaction behaviors depended on the monomer structure and reaction media. Cyclic anhydrides, succinic, glutaric, and diglycolic anhydrides, were enzymatically polymerized with α,ω-alkylene glycols in toluene to give the polyesters. Under appropriate reaction conditions, the molecular weight reached 1×10 4.