Synthesis of novel polyurethane polyesters using the enzyme Candida antarctica lipase B

There are significant health and environmental hazards associated with the synthesis of polyurethane polymers and the diisocyanate intermediates due to their toxicity and that of the phosgene used to produce the diisocyanate. The synthesis of polyurethane polymers avoiding or minimising the requirement for diisocyanate is reported. Using the Candida antarctica lipase B to catalyse the polyesterification, a series of polyurethanes based on bis-carbamate diols were synthesised. Several polyurethane polymers have been synthesised based on diamines for which no corresponding diisocyanate exists.