| abstract |
Methods for synthesizing saturated and unsaturated polyol polymers are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method involves the ring-opening polymerization of lactones, lactides and/or glycolides using hydroxy moiety-containing polymerization initiators, which initiators can include one or more double bond-containing moieties such as (meth)acrylates. The ring-opening polymerization is catalyzed using a lipase enzyme. In another embodiment, the polyol polymers are prepared by the esterification of a di- or polycarboxylic acid with a polyhydric alcohol or a polyhydric alcohol modified to include one or more (meth)acrylate moieties, using an enzymatic catalyst, advantageously avoiding the use of an acidic or heavy metal catalyst. The polyol polymers can be used to prepare urethanes or urethane acrylates, and the urethanes or urethane acrylates used in coating compositions, for example, to provide a coating to surface coverings such as floor, wall and ceiling coverings. The polyol polymers and/or urethane (meth)acrylates can also be used to prepare other articles of manufacture, such as food wraps, children's toys and the like. |