Biocatalysis for Silicone-Based Copolymers

Linear poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), the most common silicone chain molecule, can form organic-silicone copolymers, which have the unique properties of linear PDMS such as low temperature flexibility, high thermal stability, excellent electrical properties, good gas permeability and excellent biocompatibility, and other system specific properties which depend on the type and nature of the organic segments of the organic-silicone copolymer. However, such organic-silicone copolymers are conventionally synthesized using metal based catalysts under harsh reaction conditions. These harsh conditions can be detrimental to the siloxane bonds in the silicone part of chain backbone. Recently, the novel enzymatic syntheses of organic-silicone copolymers through esterification and transesterification reactions under mild reaction conditions have been reported. The synthesis and properties of some of these organic-silicone copolymers are reviewed and discussed in this chapter.