Abstract
We have performed the ring-opening polymerization of lactones catalyzed by surfactant-coated lipases in organic solvents. A great improvement in the number-average molecular weight (Mn) of the produced polymer was observed compared to that of the lyophilized native lipase. The Mn vs monomer conversion profile suggests that the polymerization catalyzed by the surfactant-coated lipase is a step polymerization, whereas that catalyzed by lyophilized lipase powder is a chain polymerization. The effects of reaction temperature and the reaction solvent on the polymerization of lactones were also investigated.
