biostudies-literatureUnknown8(63)Zhao HUniversity of Northern ColoradoResearch Corporation for Science AdvancementEnzymatic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) is a benign method for preparing polyesters, such as polylactides and other polylactones. These reactions are typically carried out at relatively high temperatures (60-130 °C), however, there is a deficiency of enzyme-compatible solvents for such thermally-demanding biocatalytic processes. In this study, we have prepared a series of short-chained glycol-grafted ionic liquids (ILs) based on a phosphonium, imidazolium, pyridinium, ammonium, or piperidinium cationic headgroup. Most of these glycol-grafted ILs exhibit relatively low dynamic viscosities (33-123 mPa s at 30 °C), coupled with excellent short-term thermal stabilities with decomposition temperatures (<i>T</i> _dcp) in the 318-403 °C range. Significantly, the long-term thermal stRSC advances36025-36033https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9088744biostudies-literatureGlycol-functionalized ionic liquids for high-temperature enzymatic ring-opening polymerization.PMC9088744Afriyie LOBaker GAZhao HLarm NEfalseGlycol-functionalized ionic liquids for high-temperature enzymatic ring-opening polymerization.Enzymatic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) is a benign method for preparing polyesters, such as polylactides and other polylactones. These reactions are typically carried out at relatively high temperatures (60-130 °C), however, there is a deficiency of enzyme-compatible solvents for such thermally-demanding biocatalytic processes. In this study, we have prepared a series of short-chained glycol-grafted ionic liquids (ILs) based on a phosphonium, imidazolium, pyridinium, ammonium, or piperidinium cationic headgroup. Most of these glycol-grafted ILs exhibit relatively low dynamic viscosities (33-123 mPa s at 30 °C), coupled with excellent short-term thermal stabilities with decomposition temperatures (<i>T</i> _dcp) in the 318-403 °C range. Significantly, the long-term thermal st2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Oct2025-04-04T21:32:47.679Z2025-04-04T21:32:47.679ZS-EPMC90887443555844410.1039/c8ra07733a