One major goal of today’s society is to achieve environmental sustainability. Currently, the polymer sector is still heavily reliant on fossil-based monomers. However, bio-based polymers such as polyesters represent a promising alternative to conventionally produced petroleum‑based polymers. In addition, instead of commonly utilized toxic metal-based catalysts, non-toxic enzymatic catalysts can be employed in polyester synthesis.

The use of enzymes for the synthesis of bio-based polyesters comprises numerous benefits such as the possibility to exploit their high stereo‑, chemo‑ and regioselectivity. In addition, enzymatic catalysts only require temperatures of less than 100 °C to express satisfactory activity in polyesterification reactions. On the contrary, conventional melt-polycondensations commonly employ temperatures of above 150‑250 °C. By combining beneficial factors such as the mentioned selectivity and environmentally advantageous features, a highly capable reaction system is obtained.

This relatively novel area in polymer synthesis still needs investigation of the design of the reaction to enable the introduction of these new and promising catalysts in the industry. Therefore, our research focuses on the examination of different bio‑based monomers for polyester synthesis by utilizing green enzymatic catalysts. Besides bio‑based monomers, our focus lies on the investigation of suitable reaction parameters and screening of eventual solvents with emphasis on green options.