Poly(alkylene phosphates): From synthetic models of biomacromolecules and biomembranes toward polymer - Inorganic hybrids (mimicking biomineralization)

Syntheses of poly(alkylene phosphates), with repeating units having two or three methylene groups and phosphoryl groups and mimicking backbones of biomacromolecules, are reviewed. Two major methods elaborated in this laboratory, namely, ring-opening polymerization and transesterification, are described. The resulting polymers were used as carriers of cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) in membrane processes and in controlling the crystallization of CaCO3, in a process related to biomineralization.