Enzymatic Synthesis of Polyphenols

In vitro synthesis of polyphenols using isolated enzymes as catalyst via non-biosynthetic pathways is reviewed. Various phenols have been subjected to an oxidative polymerization catalyzed by peroxidase, laccase, or bilirubin oxidase under mild reaction conditions. In most cases, polyphenols with a mixed structure of phenylene and oxyphenylene units have been formed. By utilizing specific enzymatic catalysis, regio- and chemoselective polymerizations have occurred, yielding functional and useful polymers, which are often difficult to synthesize by conventional methodologies. Enzymatic curing of urushiol analogues produces crosslinked polymeric films (“artificial urushi”) with high hardness and good elasticity.