Lipase-catalyzed polyester synthesis--a green polymer chemistry

Proc Jpn Acad Ser B Phys Biol Sci. 2010;86(4):338-65. doi: 10.2183/pjab.86.338.

Abstract

This article is a short comprehensive review describing in vitro polyester synthesis catalyzed by a hydrolysis enzyme of lipase, most of which has been developed for these two decades. Polyesters are prepared by repeated ester bond-formation reactions; they include two major modes, ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic monomers such as cyclic esters (lactones) and condensation polymerization via the reaction between a carboxylic acid or its ester group and an alcohol group. Polyester synthesis is, therefore, a reaction in reverse way of in vivo lipase catalysis of ester bond-cleavage with hydrolysis. The lipase-catalyzed polymerizations show very high chemo-, regio-, and enantio-selectivities and involve various advantageous characteristics. Lipase is robust and compatible with other chemical catalysts, which allows novel chemoenzymatic processes. New syntheses of a variety of functional polyesters and a plausible reaction mechanism of lipase catalysis are mentioned. The polymerization characteristics are of green nature currently demanded for sustainable society, and hence, desirable for conducting 'green polymer chemistry'.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocatalysis*
  • Green Chemistry Technology / methods*
  • Lipase / chemistry
  • Lipase / metabolism*
  • Polyesters / chemical synthesis*
  • Polyesters / chemistry
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Polyesters
  • Lipase