Poly chain modification

In view of these constraints, we recently suggested a different strategy for the improvement of the material properties of synthetic poly (amino acids) (12). Our approach is based on the replacement of the peptide bonds in the backbone of synthetic poly(amino acids) by a variety of "nonamide" Linkages. "Backbone modification," as opposed to "side chain modification," represents a fundamentally different approach that has not yet been explored in detail and that can potentially be used to prepare a whole family of structurally new polymers. 

Silicone defoamers are composed mainly of hydrophobic silicone oil (polydimethylsiloxanes). Pure silicone oil is effective, but overdose often leads to surface defects. Therefore, polyether modified poly-siloxanes have been preferably used to give effective defoaming with negligible effect on appearance of the films. MW and side chain modifications are important considerations in their selection. For ease of incorporation, they are often supplied as emulsions. They may also contain hydrophobic silica to make them more effective. Possible adverse effects are poor intercoat adhesion or craters. 

Another possible modification of poly(sulfur nitride) that is expected to produce conducting polymers is the replacement of alternating sulfur in the thiazyl chain by an RC unit, i.e., [(R)CNSN]x. This type of polymer would have five r-electrons per four atoms in the repeating unit and, consequently, would have a partially occupied conducting band. The prospect of tuning the electronic properties of this polymer by... 

Unfortunately, the modification of the side chain is not a generally applicable approach. Among the major, naturally occurring amino acids, only L-lysine has a chemically reactive side chain that would be as readily available for chemical modification as the side chain of glutamic or aspartic acid. Since, however, poly (L-lysine) is known to be toxic (10), its derivatives cannot be candidates for generally applicable biomaterials. Thus, most of the poly(amino acids) that have so far been suggested as biomaterials are derivatives of gluteunic or aspartic acid or copolymers of such derivatives with leucine, methionine, or a limited number of additional amino acids (11). 

Crystalline polymers, e.g., nylon, poly(butylene terphthalate), are not easily impact-modified. The crystalline domains can act as crack initiation sites. Amorphous polymers with high Tgs are more amenable to modification, e.g., PS, PVC, PC, although PC is tough because of H-bonding that occurs between the polymer chains. 

Unsaturated groups are very interesting for application development because this specific functionality opens up a broad range of possibilities for further (chemical) modification of the polymer structure, and therefore its physical and material properties. The direct microbial incorporation of other functional substituents to the polymer side chains, e.g. epoxy-, hydroxy-, aromatic-, and halogen functional groups, influences the physical and material properties of poly(HAMCL) even further [28,33,35,39-41]. This features many possibilities to produce tailor-made polymers, depending on the essential material properties that are needed for the development of a specific application. 

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