Novel lipase-catalyzed ring-opening copolymerization of oxiranes and dicarboxylic anhydride forming polyesters bearing carboxyl groups and their physicochemical properties and biodegradability

Oxiranes, such as benzyl glycidate and glycidyl phenyl ether, were copolymerized with dicarboxylic anhydride by lipase at a temperature between 60 and 80°C to yield the corresponding polyesters bearing carboxyl or phenyl groups. Bulk polymerization, especially at 80°C, and preferably using porcine pancreatic lipase, gave biodegradable polyesters with a molecular weight of greater than 10000. Poly(sodium carboxylate)s containing ester linkages in the backbone prepared in this study were readily biodegradable by the activated sludge and exhibited a calcium ion sequestration capacity.