Enzymatic regioselective symthesis of vinthesis of vinyl lactose ester and its chemical polymerizati

Transesterification reaction of lactose with divinyladipate in pyridine catalyzed by an alkaline protease from Bacillus subtilis at 50(C for 3 days gave 6(-O-vinyladipoyl-lactose (yield 35%). Poly(6(-O-vinyladipoyl-lactose) with Mn = 21,200, Mw = 32,900, Mw/Mn = 1.56 could be obtained by chemical polymerization. Poly(vinyl alcohol) containing lactose branch was biodegradable. After 6 days in aqueous buffer (PH 7), this alkaline protease could degrade the polymer to an Mn of ca. 2100, Mw/Mn = 2.56.