Synthesis of lipase-catalysed silicone-polyesters and silicone-polyamides at elevated temperatures

More and more enzymes are being explored as alternatives to conventional catalysts in chemical reactions. To utilize these bio-catalysts to their fullest, it is incumbent on researchers to gain a complete understanding of the reaction conditions that particular enzymes will tolerate. To this end siloxane-containing polyesters and polyamides have been produced via N435-mediated catalysis at temperatures well above the normal denaturation temperature for free CalB. Low molecular weight disiloxane-based acceptors release the enzyme from its acylated state with equal proficiency while longer chain siloxanes favours polyester synthesis. The thermal tolerance of the enzyme catalyst is increased using longer chain diesters and generally more hydrophobic substrates.