Thermal decomposition of solid state poly(β-L-malic acid)

Thermal decomposition process of solid state poly(β -L-malic acid) was traced by DSC combined with FT-IR. Melting temperature of this partially crystallized polymer was detected at 46-60°C. The thermal decomposition initiated at ca 185°C accompanied by an evolution of gaseous products. In contrast to the cleavage reaction in the aqueous polymer solutions which gives L-malic acid and corresponding dimer of L-malic acid, the solid state poly(β -L-malic acid) decomposed at above the decomposition temperature giving not the constituent L-malic acid but fumaric acid at the first stage of the reaction then, maleic and maleic anhydride. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.