Selective polymerization of functional monomers with novozym 435

Two novel monomers, ambrettolide epoxide and iso-Pr aleuriteate, encompassing functional groups, were obtained in a single step from com. available materials. Novozym 435 catalyzed ring opening polymn. of ambrettolide epoxide furnished a polymer of Mn = 9.7 kg/mol and PDI = 1.9 while the epoxide groups remained unaffected during the polymn. Selective polymn. of the primary hydroxyl groups of iso-Pr aleuriteate using Novozym 435 was feasible and a polymer with moderate mol. wt. (Mn = 5.6 kg/mol, PDI = 3.2) was isolated in moderate yield (43%). Subsequently, copolymn. of iso-Pr aleuriteate with .epsilon.-CL in different ratios was performed, resulting in sol., hydroxy functional polymers with good mol. wts. (Mn = 10.4-27.2 kg/mol) in good yield (71-78%). The secondary hydroxy groups in the polymer reacted easily with hexyl isocyanate, showing the potential of iso-Pr aleuriteate as a comonomer for the synthesis of functional polyesters.