Question

What are biodegradable polymers ? Give chemical equation for the preparation of any one biodegradable polymer.

Answer 1

Biodegradable polymer $\to$

A polymer that can be decomposed by bacteria is called a biodegradable polymer.

Poly $\beta$-hydroxybutyrate - co-$\beta$-hydroxy valerate (PHBV) is an example of biodegradable polymer.

Preparation of PHBV:-

$\underset{3-\text{Hydroxybutanoic acid}}{C{H}_3-\stackrel{\underset{|}{OH}}{CH}-C{H}_2-COOH}+\underset{3-\text{Hydroxypentanoic acid}}{C_2{H}_5-\stackrel{\underset{|}{OH}}{CH}-C{H}_2-COOH}⟶\underset{\text{PHBV}}{{(-O-\stackrel{\underset{|}{C{H}_3}}{CH}-C{H}_2-\stackrel{\underset{||}{O}}{C}-O-\stackrel{\underset{|}{C_2{H}_5}}{CH}-C{H}_2-\stackrel{\underset{||}{O}}{C}-)}_n}$