This article summarizes the enzyme-catalyzed synthesis and chemical recycling of biodegradable aliphatic polyesters and poly(carbonate ester)s directed towards establishing green polymer chemistry. Lipase catalyzes the condensation polymerization of a hydroxy acid, diacid with diol, diacid anhydride with oxirane, and polyanhydride with diol, or the ring-opening polymerization of lactones of small to large rings, and a cyclic diester to produce the corresponding polyesters. Also, lipase catalyzes the condensation polymerization of a dialkyl carbonate with diol, and the ring-opening polymerization of a cyclic carbonate to produce the corresponding polycarbonates. These polyesters and polycarbonates were selectively degraded by lipase to produce repolymerizable oligomers. These chemical recycling systems using an enzyme will establish a novel methodology for sustainable polymer recycling. Finally, current trends in green polymer production using enzymes are discussed.
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Shuichi Matsumura (2002) studied this question.