Issue 10, 2021

Poly(ε-lysine) and its derivatives via ring-opening polymerization of biorenewable cyclic lysine

Abstract

Poly(ε-lysine) (ε-PL) is an unusual cationic, naturally-occurring biopolymer furnished by microorganism fermentation processes. ε-PL has attracted extensive attention in areas from food and cosmetic additives to the pesticide and pharmaceutical industries, owing to its excellent biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity. However, the lack of molecular weight and structural diversity of ε-PL from the biosynthetic route appears to be an important limitation, leading to the composition and properties of the prepared polymers being difficult to regulate for further applications. Recently, we demonstrated an efficient chemosynthetic approach that relied on ring-opening polymerization of lysine derived ε-lactams to provide ε-PL with diverse molecular weights. In the following mini-review, the recent progress on the chemosynthesis of poly(ε-lysine) and its derivatives via ring-opening polymerization of biorenewable cyclic lysine has been summarized. Moreover, the future development of the chemosynthesis of poly(ε-lysine) and its derivatives will be discussed.

Graphical abstract: Poly(ε-lysine) and its derivatives via ring-opening polymerization of biorenewable cyclic lysine

Article information

Article type
Minireview
Submitted
29 Sep 2020
Accepted
17 Nov 2020
First published
20 Nov 2020

Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 1415-1424

Poly(ε-lysine) and its derivatives via ring-opening polymerization of biorenewable cyclic lysine

M. Li and Y. Tao, Polym. Chem., 2021, 12, 1415 DOI: 10.1039/D0PY01387K

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