“…Lipases have been used for selective esterification/transesterification reactions in the enzyme-mediated organic synthesis. , Furthermore, one of the lipases, viz. Novozyme-435 ( Candida antarctica lipase immobilized on polyacrylate), has been explored for carrying out selective reactions necessary for carbohydrate modifications − and polymer synthesis. − Taking lead from our previous experience of using lipases for discrimination between the two ester functions of triacylated pentofuranose derivatives with an aim to synthesize bicyclonucleosides, ,, Novozyme-435 lipase was used to affect the copolymerization reaction of hydroxy sugar monomers 2 , 5 , or 8 with the PEG dimethyl ester 10 under high vacuum and solventless conditions at 70 °C to synthesize poly[polyoxyethylene-oxy- bis (carboxymethyl)-4-methylene-1,2- O -isopropylidene-β- l - threo -pentofuranosyl] ( 11 ), poly[polyoxyethylene-oxy- bis (carboxymethyl)-4-methylene-1,2- O -benzylidene-β- l - threo -pentofuranosyl] ( 12 ), and poly[polyoxyethylene-oxy- bis (carboxymethyl)-4-methylene-1,2- O -isopropylidene-3- O -pentyl-β- l - threo -pentofuranosyl] ( 13 ) in 72, 54, and 67% yields, respectively. All three polymerization reactions when performed under identical conditions but without adding lipase did not yield any product.…”