Lipase-catalyzed hydrolytic degradation of polyurethane in organic solvent

Hydrolytic degradation of polyurethane has been achieved using lipase as catalyst. The degradation of polyurethane containing an aliphatic polyester chain as soft segment rapidly took place in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase in toluene at 60 degreesC to give oligomers with molecular weight less than 500.