title: One-step synthesis of amphiphilic diblock copolymers from bacterial poly([R]-3-hydroxybutyric acid).
abstract: Catalyzed transesterification in the melt is used to produce diblock copolymers of poly([R]-3-hydroxybutyric acid), PHB, and monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol), mPEG, in a one-step process. Bacterial PHB of high molecular weight is depolymerized by consecutive and partly simultaneous reactions: pyrolysis and transesterification. The formation of diblocks is accomplished by the nucleophilic attack from the hydroxyl end-group of the mPEG catalyzed by bis(2-ethylhexanoate) tin. The resulting diblock copolymers are amphiphilic and self-assemble into sterically stabilized colloidal suspensions of PHB crystalline lamellae.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, McGill University, 3420 University Street, Montréal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2A7.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ravenelle
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Marchessault
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D003102:Colloids; D003460:Crystallization; D004951:Esterification; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000737:chemistry*; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000517:prevention & control; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003102:Colloids; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D007220:Industrial Waste; D011091:Polyesters; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C003182:poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates