Polymer Biocatalysis and Biomaterials: Current Trends and Developments

This paper reviews current trends and developments in polymer biocatalysis and biomaterials. Developments in biocatalysis and biomaterials are largely fueled by demands for sustainable chemical technologies, a desire to decrease our dependence on foreign petroleum, and real commercial opportunities to develop 'green' products. Commercial activities continue to increase as is evident from a review of the patent literature. The following topics are covered in this review: 1) novel biomaterials, 2) new and improved biocatalysts, 3) new biocatalytic methodologies, 4) polyesters and polyurethanes, 5) polyamides and polypeptides, 6) polysaccharides, 7) silicon-containing materials, 8) biocatalytic redox polymerizations forming C-C bonds, 9) enzymatic hydrolysis and degradation of natural polymers, 10) biocatalytic routes to monomers. Examples featured are mostly taken from contributions to the Symposium on Biocatalysis in Polymer Science held during the ACS National Meeting in San Francisco in September 2006. (C) 2008 American Chemical Society