Selective reduction of PHA biopolyesters and their synthetic analogues to corresponding PHA oligodiols proved by structural studies

Biomacromolecules. 2013 Apr 8;14(4):1181-8. doi: 10.1021/bm400141s. Epub 2013 Mar 20.

Abstract

A highly selective method is described for controlling the degradation of polyhydroxyalkanoates, PHA, via a reduction reaction that uses lithium borohydride. Using this method, oligo(hydroxyalkanoate)diols derived from a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) biopolyester [poly(3HB-co-4HB)] and from synthetic atactic poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutyrate] (a-PHB) were obtained. The structural characterization of the oligo(hydroxyalkanoate)diols was conducted using NMR and ESI-mass spectrometry analyses, which confirmed that oligomers that were terminated by two hydroxyl end groups were formed. The reduction of the ester groups occurred in a statistical way regardless of the chemical structure of the comonomer units or of the microstructure of the polyester chain. The presented method can be used to synthesize various PHA oligodiols that are potentially useful in the further synthesis of tailor-made biodegradable materials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis*
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Borohydrides / chemistry
  • Lithium Compounds / chemistry
  • Polyesters / chemistry
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates / chemistry*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Borohydrides
  • Lithium Compounds
  • Polyesters
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates
  • lithium borohydride