Short fragments of polymer chains are shown among the structures (end groups drawn). Which structure is that of a polymer that is readily biodegradable through hydrolysis of its aliphatic ester links?

AStructure A
BStructure B
CStructure C
DStructure D

Answer: B

Poly(lactic acid), PLA, is an aliphatic polyester whose ester links are hydrolysed in the environment, so it is biodegradable. PET is an aromatic polyester that resists degradation, and polystyrene and PMMA have all-carbon backbones with no hydrolysable bond.

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Short fragments of polymer chains are shown among the structures (end groups drawn). Which structure is that of a polymer that is readily biodegradable through hydrolysis of its aliphatic ester links?

Answer: B

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