Precise structure control of enzymatically synthesized polyphenols

The structural control and biodegradability of enzymatically synthesized polyphenols have been investigated. The peroxidase-catalyzed oxidative polymerization of various 4-substituted phenols was performed in aqueous organic solvents, in which the ratio of phenylene and oxyphenylene units of the polymer product could be precisely controlled by the nature of the solvents and the monomers. The unit ratio strongly depended on their hydrophobic parameters. The control of the structure was also examined by changing the feed ratio of the enzymatic copolymerization of the phenol derivatives. The biodegradability was evaluated by the BOD method. Poly(4-t-butylphenol) showed relatively good biodegradability, whereas little degradation of the polyphenol from unsubstituted phenol was observed.