Molecular weight control of polyphenols by enzymatic copolymerization of phenols

Abstract

The enzymatic oxidative copolymerization of phenols with 2, 4-distributed phenols was performed. The copolymerization produced polyphenols with low molecular weight and soluble in polar organic solvents. The catalyst used was hydrogen peroxide and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). A change in the feed ratio of 2, 4-distributed phenols controlled the molecular weight of the polyphenols. Liquid chromatography-mass (LC-MS) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass (MALDI-TOF MS) spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography were used to monitor the copolymerization.