Sono-enzymatic polymerization

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). 

Fernandes, M. Basto, C. Zille, A. Munteanu, F. Guebitz, G. M. Cavaco-Paulo, A. Sono-enzymatic polymerization of catechol ACS Polymer Preprints, 2006, 47(2), 273. 

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