Chiral Polyesters by Dynamic Kinetic Resolution Polymerization

Problem resolved: Enzymatic polymerization was combined with an in situ Ru-catalyzed racemization process. The reaction mixture comprises a racemic mixture of a chiral diol and dimethyl adipate. Because of the high stereoselectivity of the enzyme Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB), the S-configured stereocenters of the chiral diol are practically nonreactive. Polycondensation was achieved by concurrent racemization of the S- into the R-configured centers.