Pendant functional groups, chain modification

As an example, bulk modification by the organic reaction of unsaturated PHA with sodium permanganate resulted in the incorporation of dihydroxyl or carboxyl functional groups [106]. Due to the steric hindrance of the isotactic pendant chains, complete conversion could not be obtained. However, the solubility of the modified polymers was altered in such a way that they were now completely soluble in acetone/water and water/bicarbonate mixtures, respectively [106]. Solubility can play an important role in certain applications, for instance in hydrogels. Considering the biosynthetic pathways, the dihydroxyl or carboxyl functional groups are very difficult to incorporate by microbial synthesis and therefore organic chemistry actually has an added value to biochemistry. 

Reactive groups can form a pendant or terminal part of the polymer chain to be functionalized ( represents a spacer). The most frequently exploited reactive groups are listed in Scheme 10. The chemical modification of with suitable... 

Polylactides having amino, carboxyl, or other functional (pendant or chain end) groups have been reported in the literature. These functional groups can be utilized for chemical modification or as binding sites for biomolecules to impart selective binding and adhesion. ROP of l- or d,l-lactide using bis(hydroxymethyl) butyric acid (BHMBA) as... 

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