Lipase-catalyzed transformation of poly(trimethylene carbonate) into cyclic monomer, trimethylene carbonate: A new strategy for sustainable polymer recycling using an enzyme

Shuichi Matsumura, Satoshi Harai, Kazunobu Toshima

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The enzymatic degradation and polymerization using enzyme were carried out with respect to the establishment of a sustainable chemical recycling system for poly(trimethylene carbonate) [P(TMC)] which is a potentially biodegradable synthetic plastic. The enzymatic transformation of P(TMC)s having an Mn of 3000-48000 using Candida antartica lipase (lipase CA) in acetonitrile at 70 °C afforded the corresponding cyclic monomer, trimethylene carbonate (TMC: 1.3-dioxan-2 one), in a yield of up to 80%. Thus obtained TMC readily polymerized again using both fresh lipase CA and recovered lipase CA.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)215-218
Number of pages4
JournalMacromolecular Rapid Communications
Volume22
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001 Feb 23

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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