RNA-inspired intramolecular transesterification accelerates the hydrolysis of polyethylene-like polyphosphoesters.

To synthesize new (bio)degradable alternatives to commodity polymers, adapting natural motives can be a promising approach. We present the synthesis and characterization of degradable polyethylene (PE)-like polyphosphoesters, which exhibit increased degradation rates due to an intra-molecular transesterification similar to RNA. An α,ω-diene monomer was synthesized in three steps starting from readily available compounds.

Terpyridine-Induced Folding of Anisotropic Polyphosphoester Platelets.

The folding of macromolecules is of great importance in nature. Also in synthetic polymer chemistry, single-chain nanoparticles, i.e.

Plastics of the Future? The Impact of Biodegradable Polymers on the Environment and on Society.

In recent years the littering of plastics and the problems related to their persistence in the environment have become a major focus in both research and the news. Biodegradable polymers like poly(lactic acid) are seen as a suitable alternative to commodity plastics. However, poly(lactic acid) is basically non-degradable in seawater.