Enzymatic Synthesis of Polymers

Abstract

The invention relates to new methods of enzymatic synthesis of polymers such as polyorganosilicones and polyesters, and new polymers made by these methods.

1 . A polymer of the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein
 R is hydroxy or alkoxy; 
 T is alkylene, arylene, substituted alkylene, or substituted arylene; 
 A is independently O, S, or NH; 
 B is independently O, S, or NH; 
 R 1  is hydrogen or alkyl; 
 x is an integral of 1 to 10; 
 y is an integral of 1 to 10; and 
 n is an integral of 1 to 10,000. 
 
       
     
     
         2 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein T is alkylene or arylene, optionally substituted with halo, hydroxy, haloalkyl, thio, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, acylamino, or aryl. 
     
     
         3 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is bonded to a drug. 
     
     
         4 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein T is 5-hydroxyphenylene, 5-aminophenylene, 5-decanyloxyphenylene, or 5-dodecanyl-oxyphenylene. 
     
     
         5 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein
 R is alkoxy;   T is arylene;   A is O;   B is O; and   R 1  is hydrogen.   
     
     
         6 . A composition comprising the polymer of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . A polymer of  claim 1 , made by a method comprising:
 mixing linear or cyclic monomers, oligomers, macromers, or a combination thereof to form a monomer mixture, wherein the monomer mixture comprises monomers that can produce the polymer;   adding a lipase, esterase, or protease, in a sufficient amount to produce the polymer, to the monomer mixture to form a reaction mixture; and   reacting the reaction mixture for a time and under polymerizing conditions suitable to obtain the polymer.   
     
     
         8 . A composition for controlled drug delivery, comprising the polymer of  claim 1  and a drug, wherein the polymer is configured to encapsulate the drug for controlled drug delivery. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the drug comprises an anticancer, antibiotic, or antiviral drug. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the drug comprises camptothecin, etoposide, or derivatives or analogs thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A bio-implant comprising the polymer of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A biodegradable matrix for tissue engineering comprising the polymer of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A photovoltaic device comprising a polymer of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A polymer of the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein
 R is hydroxy or amino; 
 T is substituted arylene; 
 A is independently O or NH; 
 B is independently O or NH; 
 R 1  is hydroxy or amino; 
 x is an integral of 4 to 50; and 
 n is an integral of 1 to 10,000. 
 
       
     
     
         15 . A composition comprising the polymer of  claim 14 . 
     
     
         16 . A polymer of the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein
 R is hydroxy or amino; 
 A is independently O or NH; 
 B is independently O or NH; 
 R 1  is hydroxy or amino; 
 x is an integral of 4 to 50; and 
 n is an integral of 1 to 10,000. 
 
       
     
     
         17 . A composition comprising the polymer of  claim 16 . 
     
     
         18 . A polymer of  claim 16 , made by a method comprising:
 mixing linear or cyclic monomers, oligomers, macromers, or a combination thereof to form a monomer mixture, wherein the monomer mixture comprises monomers that can produce the polymer;   adding a lipase, esterase, or protease, in a sufficient amount to produce the polymer, to the monomer mixture to form a reaction mixture; and   reacting the reaction mixture for a time and under polymerizing conditions suitable to obtain the polymer.   
     
     
         19 . A composition for controlled drug delivery, comprising the polymer of  claim 18  and a drug, wherein the polymer is configured to encapsulate the drug for controlled drug delivery. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the drug is an anticancer, antibiotic, or antiviral drug.