Polyester and polycarbonate synthesis by in vitro enzyme catalysis

Enzyme technology has significantly expanded in scope and impact over the p ast 10 years to include organic transformations in non-traditional environm ents. This is in part due to an increased understanding and capability of u sing enzyme catalysis in a wide variety of organic solvents, at interfaces, and at high temperatures and pressures. This review focuses on a relativel y new but rapidly expanding research activity where in vitro enzyme catalys is is used for the synthesis of non-natural polyesters and polycarbonates. The inclination to use of enzymes for polymer synthesis has been fueled by a desire to carry out these reactions in the absence of heavy metals, at lo wer temperatures, and with increased selectivity. Aspects of this work that include enzyme-catalyzed step-growth condensation reactions, chain-growth ring-opening polymerizations, and corresponding transesterification of macr omolecular substrates are discussed.