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Related Concept Videos

Bioplastics01:27

Bioplastics

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Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...
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Production of Organic Acids01:25

Production of Organic Acids

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Lactic acid, an important organic acid extensively applied in food, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable polymer industries, is primarily produced via microbial fermentation. This method is favored over chemical synthesis due to its environmental sustainability and capacity for enantiomerically pure product formation. Among various microbial processes, the fermentation of starch-based substrates stands out due to the abundance and renewability of raw materials like corn and potatoes.Hydrolysis of...
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Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

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Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
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Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

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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...
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Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

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Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
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Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

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The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the polymer...
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Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
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Polylactides-Methods of synthesis and characterization.

Julia Pretula1, Stanislaw Slomkowski1, Stanislaw Penczek1

  • 1Center of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland.

Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
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PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review covers the synthesis of polylactides (PLA), focusing on high-purity lactide monomers and their polymerization. It details various methods, including metal-initiated and organocatalyzed routes, for producing these biocompatible polymers.

Keywords:
Aluminum isopropoxide (PubChem CID: 70700058)D-Lactic acid (PubChem CID: 61503)D-Lactide (PubChem CID: 5325924)L-Lactic acid (PubChem CID: 107689)L-Lactide (PubChem CID: 107983)Poly(D,L-lactide) (PubChem CID: not available)Poly(D-Lactide) (PubChem CID: not available)Poly(L-Lactide) (PubChem CID: not available)Polycondensation of lactic acidPolylactide characterizationPolylactidesPolymerization of lactidesTin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (PubChem CID: 9318)meso-Lactide (PubChem CID: 6950374)

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Biomaterials Science
  • Organic Synthesis

Background:

  • Polylactides (PLA) are versatile degradable and biocompatible polymers.
  • They are crucial for applications like drug delivery systems and temporary medical implants.
  • Controlling PLA properties (molar mass, microstructure, crystallinity) is key for tailored applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on polylactide synthesis.
  • To discuss various polymerization methods for lactic acid and lactide monomers.
  • To analyze the advantages, disadvantages, and mechanisms of different PLA synthesis routes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of established and emerging polymerization techniques for polylactides.
  • Discussion of polycondensation of lactic acid and ring-opening polymerization of lactides.
  • Exploration of metal alkoxide-initiated and metal-free organocatalyzed polymerization mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Detailed description of syntheses for high molar mass polylactides.
  • Comparison of metal-initiated versus organocatalyzed polymerization routes.
  • Presentation of advantages and limitations of major PLA synthesis processes.

Conclusions:

  • The study synthesizes current understanding of polylactide production.
  • It highlights the importance of monomer purity and polymerization control for PLA properties.
  • The review aids in selecting optimal synthesis strategies for specific PLA applications.