Resolution of secondary alcohols by enzyme-catalyzed transesterification in alkyl carboxylates as the solvent

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)88288-0

The Porcine Pancreatic Lipase (PPL)- and Mucor Esterase-catalyzed resolution of 1-phenylethanol 5 in four different alkyl carboxylate solvents, viz. methyl acetate, propionate and butyrate and ethyl acetate, was evaluated. The beneficial influence of the addition of molecular sieves 4A to the reaction mixture is demonstrated. A Mucor Esterase-catalyzed resolution of 5 on a 0.5 mol scale is described. The kinetic resolution of a large variety of secondary alcohols (5 - 22b) was investigated using both biocatalysts under the established optimal reaction conditions for substrate 5.