Enzymatic Synthesis Of Polymer Building Blocks

Polyesters such as poly-ε-caprolactone are important polymers due to their special properties and thus allow versatile applications. Moreover, these polymers have the potential to be made out of monomers derived from renewable sources which is in terms of sustainability and the utilization of environmentally benign resources an important advantage. Nevertheless, there is still a need to find new ways to produce the desired polyesters from variable monomers and to simplify the chemical/enzymatic syntheses of the respective building blocks as well as the polymers itself. Especially the access to the lactone precursors can be achieved by the use of enzymes as alternative approach to the chemical synthesis. Thus, this work aims on the establishment of a sustainable biocatalytic production process of ε-caprolactone for industrial purposes by the development and optimization of an artificial enzymatic cascade consisting of 3 different enzymes. The major challenge for this specific biocatalytic route is the instability of one enzyme of this cascade as well as the substrate and product inhibition. These limitations were addressed by protein engineering and process design strategies.

​The series Topics in Current Chemistry Collections presents critical reviews from the journal Topics in Current Chemistry organized in topical volumes. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science. The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience. Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field.

Polyesters and polyamides remain the most used group of synthetic fibres. This authoritative book reviews methods of their production, ways of improving their functionality and their wide range of applications. The first part of the book describes raw materials and manufacturing processes, including environmental issues. Part two considers ways of improving the functionality of polyester and polyamide fibres, including blending, weaving, coloration and other finishing techniques as well as new techniques such as nanotechnology. The final part of the book reviews the range of uses of these important fibres, from apparel and sportswear to automotive, medical and civil engineering applications. With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Polyesters and polyamides is a standard reference for all those using this important group of fibres. Reviews the chemical and physical properties of each fibre and their manufacture Analyses how the functionality of polyester and polyamides can be improved Provides examples of how the fibres are used in applications

Oxireductases in the Enzymatic Synthesis of Water-Soluble Conducting Polymers, by E. Ochoteco and D. Mecerreyes * Transferases in Polymer Chemistry, by J. van der Vlist and K. Loos * Hydrolases Part I: Enzyme Mechanism, Selectivity and Control in the Synthesis of Well-Defined Polymers, by M.A.J. Veld and A.R.A. Palmans * Hydrolases in Polymer Chemistry: Chemoenzymatic Approaches to Polymeric Materials, by A. Heise and A.R.A. Palmans * Hydrolases in Polymer Chemistry: Part III: Synthesis and Limited Surface Hydrolysis of Polyesters and Other Polymers, by G.M. Guebitz * Exploiting Biocatalysis in the Synthesis of Supramolecular Polymers, by S. Roy and R. V. Ulijn

An up-to-date and two volume overview of recent developments in the field of chemocatalytic and enzymatic processes for the transformation of renewable material into essential chemicals and fuels. Experts from both academia and industry discuss catalytic processes currently under development as well as those already in commercial use for the production of bio-fuels and bio-based commodity chemicals. As such, they cover drop-in commodity chemicals and fuels, as well as bio-based monomers and polymers, such as acrylic acid, glycols, polyesters and polyolefins. In addition, they also describe reactions applied to waste and biomass valorization and integrated biorefining strategies. With its comprehensive coverage of the topic, this is an indispensable reference for chemists working in the field of catalysis, industrial chemistry, sustainable chemistry, and polymer synthesis.

This book comprehensively covers researches on enzymatic polymerization and related enzymatic approaches to produce well-defined polymers, which is valuable and promising for conducting green polymer chemistry. It consists of twelve chapters, including the following topics: The three classes of enzymes, oxidoreductases, transferases and hydrolases, have been employed as catalysts for enzymatic polymerization and modification; Well-defined polysaccharides are produced by enzymatic polymerization catalyzed by hydrolases and transferases; Hydrolase-catalyzed polycondensation and ring-opening polymerization are disclosed to produce a variety of polyesters; Polyesters are synthesized by in-vivo acyltransferase catalysis produced by microorganisms; Enzymatic polymerization catalyzed by appropriate enzymes also produces polypeptides and other polymers; Poly(aromatic)s are obtained by enzymatic polymerization catalyzed by oxidoreductases and their model complexes; Such enzymes also induce oxidative polymerization of vinyl monomers; Enzymatic modification of polymers is achieved to produce functionalized polymeric materials; The enzymatic polymerization is a green process with non-toxic catalysts, high catalyst efficiency, green solvents and renewable starting materials, and minimal by-products; Moreover, renewable resources like biomass are potentially employed as a starting substrate, producing useful polymeric materials. This book is not only educative to young polymer chemists like graduate students but also suggestive to industrial researchers, showing the importance of the future direction of polymer synthesis for maintaining a sustainable society.

Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. Green polymer chemistry is an extension of green chemistry to polymer science and engineering. Developments in this area have been stimulated by health and environmental concerns, interest in sustainability, desire to decrease the dependence on petroleum, and opportunities to design and produce "green" products and processes. Major advances include new uses of biobased feedstock, green reactions, green processing methodologies, and green polymeric products. A current feature of green polymer chemistry is that it is both global and multidisciplinary. Thus, publications in this field are spread out over different journals in different countries. Moreover, a successful research effort may involve collaborations of people in various disciplines, such as organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, material science, chemical engineering, biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, enzymology, toxicology, environmental science, and analytical chemistry. This book combines the major interdisciplinary research in this field and is targeted for scientists, engineers, and students, who are involved or interested in green polymer chemistry. These may include chemists, biochemists, material scientists, chemical engineers, microbiologists, molecular biologists, enzymologists, toxicologists, environmental scientists, and analytical chemists. It can be a textbook for a course on green chemistry and also a reference book for people who need information on specific topics involving biocatalysis and biobased materials.