Chemo-enzymatically induced copolymerization of phenolics with acrylate compounds

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Biocatalysis
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Phenolic and acrylic compounds are key monomers for polymer synthesis.
• Traditional polymerization methods often involve harsh conditions and toxic reagents.
• Enzymatic polymerization offers a sustainable alternative for creating novel materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare laccase-mediated copolymerization with a Fenton-like system for phenolic and acrylic compounds.
• To investigate the influence of phenolic structure, laccase activity, and reaction conditions on polymer yield and molecular weight.
• To evaluate the efficiency of phenol incorporation into the polymer chain using both methods.

Main Methods:

• Enzymatic initiation using laccase (EC 1.10.3.2) and tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP).
• Comparison with a Fenton-like system using ferrous ion and t-BHP.
• Determination of laccase activity, optimal pH for phenolics, and polymer characteristics (yield, molecular weight).

Main Results:

• Polymer yield and molecular weight were dependent on phenolic type and phenol/monomer ratio.
• Copolymerization success varied with phenolic redox potential and acrylic monomer type.
• Laccase significantly enhanced phenol incorporation into the polymer chain compared to the Fenton-like reaction.

Conclusions:

• Laccase-initiated copolymerization is an effective method for incorporating phenolic compounds into acrylic polymer chains.
• The chemo-enzymatic approach offers higher phenol incorporation efficiency than Fenton-like systems.
• This study highlights the potential of biocatalysis for sustainable polymer synthesis.