PEROXIDASE, HEMATIN, AND PEGYLATED-HEMATIN CATALYZED VINYL POLYMERIZATIONS IN WATER

Horseradish peroxidase-, hematin- and pegylated-hematin mediated polymerization of sodium styrene sulfonate and sodium acrylate in water is reported. Molecular weight and yields were influenced by the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and initiator, 2,4-pentanedione. Hematin and pegylated-hematin were studied in lieu of peroxidase at pH 11.0 and 7.0 in aqueous solution, respectively. Polymer with a high molecular weight (Mn = 223,520) was formed when the pegylated-hematin was used as the catalyst. The results demonstrate vinyl polymerizations in an all aqueous process in high yield and molecular weight catalyzed by peroxidase as well as biomimetic catalysts.