Lipase-catalyzed synthesis and characterization of polymers by cyclodextrin as support architecture

Diesters and diols were successfully converted into aliphatic polyesters by enzymatic lipase Candida sp.99-125 catalysis, with beta-cyclodextrin acting as supporting architecture (in a similar way as chaperone proteins). No organic solvents were used. The polytransesterification was a much greener process, being solvent-free and without metal residues. Lipase Candida sp.99-125 showed a high catalytic activity for bulkpolymerization of diesters and diols with various numbers of methylene groups in their chains. beta-Cyclodextrin encircled the linear polymer chain and maintained the chain in a proper configuration to avoid its coagulation. Lipase initiated the polymerization and beta-cyclodextrin threaded onto the polymer chain to control the structure for producing high molecular weight polyesters. From a combination of diesters and diols, polyesters with a high molecular weight of 62,100 Da were obtained at 70 degrees C. The corresponding polyesters showed an excellent thermal stability till 350 degrees C and had a strong ability to crystallize with up to 72% crystallinity, contributing to their high storage modulus. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.