Novel lipase-catalyzed ring-opening copolymerization of oxiranes and succinic anhydride forming polyesters bearing functional groups

Oxiranes, such as glycidyl phenyl ether (GPE) and benzyl glycidate (BG), were copolymerized with succinic anhydride (SA) by lipase at a temperature between 60 and 80°C to yield the corresponding polyesters bearing carboxyl or phenyl groups. Bulk polymerization, especially at the temperature of 80°C, and preferably using porcine pancreatic lipase gave biodegradable polyesters with a molecular weight greater than 5000.