Enzymatic Polymerization of Phenolic Monomers

Phenol-formaldehyde resins using prepolymers such as novolaks and resols are widely used in industrial fields. These resins show excellent toughness and temperature-resistant properties, but the general concern over the toxicity of formaldehyde has resulted in limitations on their industrial preparation and use. Therefore, an alternative process for the synthesis of phenolic polymers avoiding the use of formaldehyde is strongly desired. 

In living cells, various oxidoreductases play an important role in maintaining the metabolism of living systems. Most of oxidoreductases contain low valent metals as their catalytic center. In vitro enzymatic oxidoreductions have afforded functional organic materials. Some oxidoreductases such as peroxidase, laccase, and polyphenol oxidase have received much attention as catalysts for oxidative polymerizations of phenol derivatives to produce novel polyaromatics [1-10], This chapter deals with enzymatic oxidative polymerization of phenolic compounds. 

The peroxidase-catalyzed oxidative polymerization of phenols proceeds fast in aqueous solutions, giving rise to the formation of oligomeric compounds. However, 

Biocatalysis in Polymer Chemistry. Edited by Katja Loos 

Copyright 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH Co. KGaA, Weinheim 

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As described above, the enzymatic polymerization of phenols was often carried out in a mixture of a water-miscible organic solvent and a buffer. By adding 2,6-di-0-methyl-(3-cyclodextrin (DM-(3-CD), the enzymatic polymerization of water-insoluble m-substituted phenols proceeded in buffer. The water-soluble complex of the monomer and DM-(3-CD was formed and was polymerized by HRP to give a soluble polymer. In the case of phenol, the polymerization took place in the presence of 2,6-di-O-methyl-a-cyclodextrin (DM-a-CD) in a buffer. Only a catalytic amount of DM-a-CD was necessary to induce the polymerization efficiently. Coniferyl alcohol was oxidatively polymerized in the presence of a-CD in an aqueous solution. ... 

Numerical and Monte Carlo simulations of the peroxidase-catalyzed polymerization of phenols were demonstrated.14 The monomer reactivity, molecular weight, and index were simulated for precise control of the polymerization of bisphenol A. In aqueous 1,4-dioxane, aggregates from p-phenylphenol were detected by difference UV absorption spectroscopy.15 Such aggregate formation might elucidate the specific solvent effects in the enzymatic polymerization of phenols. 

In Chapter 6 the enzymatic polymerization of vinyl monomers is presented. Polymers, such as polystyrene and poly(meth)acrylates can be readily polymerized under catalysis of oxidoreductases like peroxidases, oxidases, etc. In addition oxidoreductases can be used to polymerize phenolic monomers (Chapter 7) and even to synthesize conducting polymers such as polyaniline (Chapter 8). 

Morphology of the enzymatically synthesized phenolic polymers was controlled under the selected reaction conditions. Monodisperse polymer particles in the sub-micron range were produced by HRP-catalyzed dispersion polymerization of phenol in 1,4-dioxane-phosphate buffer (3 2 v/v) using poly(vinyl methyl ether) as stabihzer. °° ° The particle size could be controlled by the stabilizer concentration and solvent composition. Thermal treatment of these particles afforded uniform carbon particles. The particles could be obtained from various phenol monomers such as m-cresol and p-phenylphenol. 

It is now well-established that some enzyme families, including various peroxidases and laccases, catalyze the polymerization of vinyl monomers and other redox active species such as phenol-type structures. Vinyl polymerization by these redox catalysts has recently been reviewed 93). These catalysts have been used to prepare polyanilines 94) and polyphenols 95,96). A few examples of related research are included in this book. For example. Smith et al (57) described a novel reaction catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In the presence of HRP and oxygen, D-glucuronic acid was polymerized to a high molecular weight (60,000) polyether. However, the authors have not yet illucidated the polyether structure. Two other oxidative biotransformations were discussed above i) the sono-enzymatic polymerization of catechol via laccase 31), and ii) the oxidation of aryl silanes via aromatic dioxygenases 30). 

Scheme 1. Schematic of enzymatic polymerization ofphenolic monomers. Polymerization of Phenol...

New positive-type photoresist systems based on enzymatically synthesized phenolic polymers were developed [55]. The polymers from the bisphenol monomers exhibited high photosensitivity, comparable with a conventional cresol novolak. Furthermore, this photoresist showed excellent etching resistance. The oxidative polymerization of bisphenol-A proceeded by fungal peroxidase from Coprinus cinereus (CiP) in aqueous isopropanol [56]. CiP also catalyzed the oxidative... 

Enzymes may be classified generally into six groups the details of typical polymers produced via catalysis with respective enzymes are listed in Table 23.1. In the past, the target macromolecules for enzymatic polymerization have included polysaccharides, poly(amino acid)s, polyesters, polycarbonates, phenolic polymers, poly(aniline)s, and vinyl polymers. In this chapter, attention is focused on the enzymatic synthesis of phenohc polymers and polyesters, based on the increasing industrial application of these materials. Notably, most such polymers can be obtained from commercially available, inexpensive monomers by using industrially produced enzymes. Another important point is that the enzymatic process must be regarded as an environmentally benign synthetic pathway. Details of the enzymatic synthesis of other polymers are provided in recent pertinent reviews [3-10]. 

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