Biodegradation mechanism of miscellaneous polymers

23 Proposed degradation mechanism of polyethylene and n-alkane (1) oxygenase, (2) dehydrogenase/oxidase, (3) dehydrogenase/oxidase, (4)acyl-CoA synthetase, (5) acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, (8) acetyl-CoA acyltransferase. 

Poly(p-dioxanone) is an aliphatic poly(ether-ester) with bioabsorptibility, biocompatibility and biodegradability (Fig. 14.25) (Ray et al, 1981 Nishida et al., 2000a,b Ping, 2002). Poly(p-dioxanone) exhibits excellent mechanical 

Oxidation of a methylene group to a carbonyl group step I) 

Decarboxylation to form an aldehyde and detiydrogenaiion to form a double bond (step 2) 

Oxidation of the aldehyde to a carboxyl followed by elimination of an acetic acid (step 3) 

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