SYNTHESIS OF COPOLYAMIDE-ESTERS AND SOME ASPECTS INVOLVED IN THEIR HYDROLYSIS BY LIPASE

Copolyamide–esters (CPAEs) were synthesized by the amide–ester interchange reaction. The change of intrinsic viscosity during CPAE synthesis was negligible. Polyamide blocks were shortened with increasing reaction time and polyester content. The polymerization degree of nylon 12 blocks on CPAE was smaller than that of nylon 6 blocks. CPAEs were hydrolyzed by Rhizopus delemar lipase. The biodegradability decreased with the shortening of the polyamide blocks and with increasing polyamide content. It was concluded that the amount and distribution of the hydrogen bonds, based on the amide group, in the CPAE chains strongly influenced their biodegradation by this lipase. Copyright © 1979 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.