Novel lipase-catalyzed ring-opening copolymerization of lactide and trimethylene carbonate forming poly(ester carbonate)s

Poly(lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate)s were prepared by the lipase- catalyzed ring-opening copolymerization of lactide and trimethylene carbonate having carbonate content from 0 to 100%. Their thermal properties and enzymatic degradability were measured. The L,L-, D,D- and D,L-lactides were copolymerized with trimethylene carbonate by porcine pancreatic lipase to produce random copolymers having molecular weights of up to 21 000. The glass transition temperature (T(g)) of the copolymer was dependent on the carbonate content and the T(g) values linearly decreased from 35°C (polylactide) to - 8°C [poly(trimethylene carbonate)]. Among the lipases tested, the porcine pancreatic lipase and proteinase K showed biodegradability towards poly(ester-carbonate)s.