Lipase-catalyzed degradation of polyester in supercritical carbon dioxide

Communication: Enzymatic degradation of poly(epsilon -caprolactone) has been successfully carried out in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)). Candida antarctica lipase smoothly catalyzed the hydrolytic degradation in scCO(2) to give oligo(epsilon -caprolactone). The degradation in the presence of acetone (5 vol.-%) produced the oligomer of smaller molecular weight (less than 500) compared to that prepared without the additive. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry analysis showed that the degradation product was of a mixture of linear and cyclic oligomers. The addition of a very small amount of water also promoted the degradation of the polyester.