Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis01:28

ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis

Biological macromolecules are organic compounds, predominantly composed of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are covalently bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other minor elements. There are four major biological macromolecule classes: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Most macromolecules are composed of single subunits, or building blocks, called monomers. The monomers combine with each other using covalent bonds to form larger molecules known as polymers.
Conversion of...
Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:17

Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Ziegler–Natta polymerization is another form of addition or chain‐growth polymerization used for synthesizing linear polymers over branched polymers. The catalyst used for polymerization is the Ziegler–Natta catalyst, named after Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta, who developed it in 1953. This catalyst is an organometallic complex of titanium tetrachloride and triethyl aluminum, with the active form of the catalyst being an alkyl titanium compound. Using the Ziegler–Natta catalyst, high molecular...
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the generated carbocation,...
Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview01:13

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview

Recently, the development of olefin metathesis polymerization advanced the field of polymer synthesis. Simply put, the reorganization of substituents on their double bonds between two olefins in the presence of a catalyst is known as the olefin metathesis reaction. The use of metathesis reaction for polymer synthesis is called olefin metathesis polymerization.
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists of a...
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of Cardanol-Bonded Mixed Chitin Esters for Biobased Thermoplastic Materials.

Biomacromolecules·2026
Same author

Construction and Advanced Utilization of Self-Assembled and Scale-Down Chitin Nanofibers for Polymer Composite Design.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Utilization of All-Chitin Composite Films for High-Density Three-Dimensional Cell Cultivation.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)·2025
Same author

Comparison of KJOC Scores in College Athletes With and Without Arm Trouble Across Overhead Sports.

Journal of athletic training·2025
Same author

Hydrophobization of Chitin Nanofibers by Grafting of Partially 2-Deoxygenated Amyloses Through Enzymatic Approach.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)·2025
Same author

Cancer cell adhesion property on all-chitin composite films with reduced crystallinity.

Carbohydrate research·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

OaAEP1-Mediated Enzymatic Synthesis and Immobilization of Polymerized Protein for Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy
08:34

OaAEP1-Mediated Enzymatic Synthesis and Immobilization of Polymerized Protein for Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy

Published on: February 5, 2020

Polymer synthesis by enzymatic catalysis.

Jun-ichi Kadokawa1, Shiro Kobayashi

  • 1Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.

Current Opinion in Chemical Biology
|December 22, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Enzymatic catalysis offers an eco-friendly method for synthesizing polymers with precise structures. This review highlights recent advances in enzyme-catalyzed polymer synthesis, focusing on polysaccharides, polyesters, and polyaromatics.

More Related Videos

Ethylene Polymerizations Using Parallel Pressure Reactors and a Kinetic Analysis of Chain Transfer Polymerization
07:28

Ethylene Polymerizations Using Parallel Pressure Reactors and a Kinetic Analysis of Chain Transfer Polymerization

Published on: November 27, 2015

High-throughput Synthesis of Carbohydrates and Functionalization of Polyanhydride Nanoparticles
14:37

High-throughput Synthesis of Carbohydrates and Functionalization of Polyanhydride Nanoparticles

Published on: July 6, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2026

OaAEP1-Mediated Enzymatic Synthesis and Immobilization of Polymerized Protein for Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy
08:34

OaAEP1-Mediated Enzymatic Synthesis and Immobilization of Polymerized Protein for Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy

Published on: February 5, 2020

Ethylene Polymerizations Using Parallel Pressure Reactors and a Kinetic Analysis of Chain Transfer Polymerization
07:28

Ethylene Polymerizations Using Parallel Pressure Reactors and a Kinetic Analysis of Chain Transfer Polymerization

Published on: November 27, 2015

High-throughput Synthesis of Carbohydrates and Functionalization of Polyanhydride Nanoparticles
14:37

High-throughput Synthesis of Carbohydrates and Functionalization of Polyanhydride Nanoparticles

Published on: July 6, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Biocatalysis

Background:

  • The field of polymer synthesis has evolved through three main stages: traditional chemical catalysis (since 1920s), metal-based catalysis (since 1950s), and biocatalysis using enzymes (past two decades).
  • Enzymatic catalysis represents a significant advancement, offering environmentally benign processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • This review focuses on recent developments in enzyme-catalyzed polymer synthesis.
  • It covers advancements in the synthesis of polysaccharides, polyesters, and polyaromatics.
  • The review also includes developments in polymer modification using enzymes.

Main Methods:

  • Exploration of enzymatic catalysis for in vitro polymer synthesis.
  • Focus on specific polymer classes: polysaccharides, polyesters, and polyaromatics.
  • Review of polymer modification techniques employing enzymes.

Main Results:

  • Enzymatic catalysis enables the synthesis of polymers with well-defined structures.
  • Controlled stereochemistry, regioselectivity, and chemoselectivity are achievable through enzymatic methods.
  • Recent progress has been made across various polymer types and modification techniques.

Conclusions:

  • Enzyme-catalyzed polymer synthesis is a rapidly growing and environmentally conscious field.
  • This approach allows for high precision in polymer structure and properties.
  • Continued research promises further innovations in sustainable polymer production.