Biodegradable polyurethanes obtained by a chemoenzymatic route: synthesis, characterization and degradable behavior

Enzymatic polymerizations are a powerful and versatile approach to produce known materials (such as "commodity plastics") and novel macromolecules so far not accessible via traditional chemical approaches. Poly (e-caprolactone) diols (PCL diols) are generally prepared by ring opening polymerization of e-caprolactone initiated by diols. They are widely used to prepare many polymer derivatives such as poly(ester-urethanes), block copolymers and other advanced architectures. Using lipase biocatalysis with Yarrowia lipolytica lipase, several PCL diols with controlled molecular weight were prepared at 120 °C at ambient temperature. These bifunctional oligomers were used in turn to prepare biodegradable linear polyester urethanes. Obtained polymers were characterized by GPC-MALS, FT-IR, DSC, NMR, TGA, WAXS, mechanical properties and hydrolytic behavior. The majority of these polymers show a thermoplastic-elastomeric behavior.