Enzyme‐catalyzed syntheses of poly(1,6‐hexanediyl maleate) and poly(1,6‐hexanediyl fumarate) in organic medium

Abstract

Abstract The lipase‐catalyzed preparation of poly(1,6‐hexanediyl maleate) by transesterification of 1,6‐hexanediol and dimethyl maleate is described. A configurationally pure poly(1,6‐hexanediyl maleate) exhibiting exclusively cis structure was obtained. During the reaction, a substantial amount of macrolactones was formed. They were isolated, and the cyclic oligomer with y = 2 was found to predominate. Cycles are semi‐crystalline, while no melting point was detected for the linear poly(1,6‐hexanediyl maleate). We assume that the linear unsaturated polyester is completely amorphous owing to its cis configuration.