Chemo-enzymatically induced copolymerization of phenolics with acrylate compounds

Initiation of copolymerization of lignin-like phenolic and acrylic compounds by the phenoloxidase laccase (EC 1.10.3.2) and a peroxide species (t-butylhydroperoxide, t-BHP) was compared to a Fenton-like system (ferrous ion, t-BHP). Initially, the relative activity of laccase towards different phenolic compounds and the optimum pH of some characteristic phenolics were determined. The polymer yield and the average molecular weight (Mw) of chemo-enzymatically produced polymers were dependent both on the type of each phenolic tested and on the phenol/monomer ratio. Furthermore, the success of copolymerization of the phenolics was dependent both on their redox potential and on the type of acrylic monomer applied. The extent of phenol incorporation into the polymer chain was enhanced by the presence of laccase in the reaction mixture and was significantly higher than in polymerization initiated by a Fenton-like reaction.