Synthesis of polyamides and their copolymers via enzymatic polymerization

The selective and specific features of enzymes have drawn an enormous amount of attention for use as in-vitro catalysts in polymerization reactions. Various studies on the enzymatic synthesis of polyesters, polycarbonates, polysaccharides, polypeptides, and polyamides have been performed and some have been implemented on an industrial scale. Particularly in the synthesis of polyester and polyamides, lipases are the most used enzymes as catalysts for their polymerization. Polyamides are considered to be one of the largest engineering polymer families used in the automotive, electrical and electronics, and consumer goods industries; thus the enzymatic synthesis of polyamides will have a tremendous impact on environmental issues. Therefore, in this article, the enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of polyamides and their copolymers is reviewed with a focus on the type of polymerization the enzyme catalyzes and type of monomer used for the synthesis of polyamides.