Enzymic polymerisation of an unactivated diol/diacid system

Abstract

The polyesterification of adipic acid and butane-1,4-diol by a commercial lipase (Lipozyme IM-20) has been studied using a two-chamber reactor and molecular sieve as a dehydrating agent. The lower oligomeric products were identified and a low-dispersity polyester averaging 20 repeat units was produced.