PRODUCTION OF POLY(ALKYLENE CARBONATE) BY ENZYMATIC PROCESS

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To produce a poly(alkylene carbonate) by a simple operation under gentle conditions without using toxic phosgene and without causing side reactions by reacting a dialkylene carbonate with an alkane diol in the presence of an enzyme. SOLUTION: The dialkylene carbonate used is one represented by formula I (wherein R is a 1-5C linear or branched alkyl). The alkane diol used is one represented by the formula: HO-X-OH (wherein X is a 1-6C linear or branched alkylene). The reaction between them is carried out in the presence of an enzyme, which is desirably lipase. The thus obtained polyalkylene carbonate is one represented by formula II (wherein Y is a 1-5C linear or branched alkyl or a hydroxyl represented by the formula: HO-X-; Z is hydrogen or an ester group represented by formula II; and n is an integer of 1 or greater).